Today I love the IRS

[BuckNaked]

I don't blame people for accepting the refund, but I think the system is seriously screwed up for allowing it.

Exactly. And the "But I *deserve* it because (lists of reasons that have nothing to do with deserving any kind of handout) is just

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Of course. And we all know who's opinion is most valuable...

 

[bigbabyblues]

I finally got my W-2 yesterday, and I'm just thankful that we aren't going to have to pay! DH thought we would this year, but we won't!!!

 

[kilee]

Personally I have no problem w/ the OP getting EIC or anyone else who gets it-- why wouldn't you take it if it's there. I'm sure 99% of the people would.

The problem lies within the system that offers it in the first place. I agree that certain income lines should be drawn and if you fall below them--- by all means-- you should be entitled to your tax money back. But just your tax money--not anything above and beyond. I do not see how person "x" "y" and "z" should be entitled (and I heard quite a few people who got defensive over their EIC use they were "ENTITLED") to any money that they DIDN'T pay into the system. It's different to get back what you pay. I know a lot of people that live off the system now because they worked for the last 20 yrs and it's time they "got theirs" afterall they put money in. I guess it's that same entitled attitude. It's just one of the many flaws in our system and really it's not worth getting upset over because I cannot change it.

 

[BuckNaked]

Personally I have no problem w/ the OP getting EIC or anyone else who gets it-- why wouldn't you take it if it's there. I'm sure 99% of the people would.

The problem lies within the system that offers it in the first place. I agree that certain income lines should be drawn and if you fall below them--- by all means-- you should be entitled to your tax money back. But just your tax money--not anything above and beyond. I do not see how person "x" "y" and "z" should be entitled (and I heard quite a few people who got defensive over their EIC use they were "ENTITLED") to any money that they DIDN'T pay into the system. It's different to get back what you pay. I know a lot of people that live off the system now because they worked for the last 20 yrs and it's time they "got theirs" afterall they put money in. I guess it's that same entitled attitude. It's just one of the many flaws in our system and really it's not worth getting upset over because I cannot change it.

Well said. And it's the "But I deserve it!!" mentality that makes me

 

[Christine]

I just have to laugh at the *names* the IRS dreams of for things.

Earned Income Credit - Sounds like: A credit given to people who earn income. When in fact, it is a credit given to people who really don't earn much income at all. Guess it's a "feel good" term.

And then there's the ever popular Alternative Minimum Tax. Sounds like there is some other tax system in place where, if you qualify, you really don't pay a lot of tax when, really, it is another way take away tax deductions for people who are mid to upper-middle class.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Personally I have no problem w/ the OP getting EIC or anyone else who gets it-- why wouldn't you take it if it's there. I'm sure 99% of the people would.

The problem lies within the system that offers it in the first place. I agree that certain income lines should be drawn and if you fall below them--- by all means-- you should be entitled to your tax money back. But just your tax money--not anything above and beyond. I do not see how person "x" "y" and "z" should be entitled (and I heard quite a few people who got defensive over their EIC use they were "ENTITLED") to any money that they DIDN'T pay into the system. It's different to get back what you pay. I know a lot of people that live off the system now because they worked for the last 20 yrs and it's time they "got theirs" afterall they put money in. I guess it's that same entitled attitude. It's just one of the many flaws in our system and really it's not worth getting upset over because I cannot change it.

i agree with you bt it is hard to not get

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I just have to laugh at the *names* the IRS dreams of for things.

Earned Income Credit - Sounds like: A credit given to people who earn income. When in fact, it is a credit given to people who really don't earn much income at all. Guess it's a "feel good" term.

And then there's the ever popular Alternative Minimum Tax. Sounds like there is some other tax system in place where, if you qualify, you really don't pay a lot of tax when, really, it is another way take away tax deductions for people who are mid to upper-middle class.

the amt is EVIL and is killing the middle class now that is something i would love to see bush actually fix instead of just cutting taxes

 

[SillyMe]

Well said. And it's the "But I deserve it!!" mentality that makes me

You keep repeating that...who posted that they "deserve" it???

 

[kilee]

Sillyme-- I for one am not going to call people out on this....as I'm not hear to belittle anyone personally. If you go back and read the entire thread there were posts where people used the words "I deserve" and "I'm entitled".

 

[BuckNaked]

You keep repeating that...who posted that they "deserve" it???

Here are the examples.

What about people in the military? You know, those guys that are protecting our country day in and day out; the ones that never see their families because they work 16 hour days? Do they deserve EIC or should I just go to the welfare office right now?

I do understand your point that EIC shouldn't subsidize etc, my point was that some people DO "deserve" (for lack of a better word) the EIC.

My DH busted his butt this year in Iraq on active duty and we have 3 kids. We got the EIC. We're getting $5K back. And we deserve every freaking penny.

 

[katerkat]

As to the actual subject, I do not think that anyone should end up not paying any federal income taxes.

What about soldiers in a combat zone? I admit, this is a perk I look forward to when DH is deployed.

 

[BuckNaked]

What about soldiers in a combat zone? I admit, this is a perk I look forward to when DH is deployed.

While any soldier/sailor/airman would be foolish not to take advantage of it, I don't think combat zone pay should be excluded.

Just like I take advantage of getting higher BAH because I have dependents. I don't think it's right, because I don't think that just having a family merits a payraise, but it's there, so I take it. As a matter of fact, I don't believe that BAH & BAS should be tax exempt either, but it is.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

What about soldiers in a combat zone? I admit, this is a perk I look forward to when DH is deployed.

i have to say i think its different for those in the military and it should be
i knwo someone posted about extra pay, and taxes breaks adn other stuff and they should get all that but i think the military is severely UNDER PAID
they should get things
i dont like the EIC law at all BUT to me there is a huge difference between someone getting EIC who is working the system or not but still getting more $ than they put in the $ and a military family getting it
i dont begrudge a military anything there DH and DW are putting there lives on the line
especially in a time of war

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Don't forget the free health insurance, very low cost dental, the ability to shop in the commissary, the fact that several states don't take income tax from military (PA didn't!), BAH and BAS are NOT taxed, low cost life insurance, etc, etc. And, though it sucks to have them away (and I know, we're in a deployment right now), we don't get federal income tax taken out while he's in a combat zone, and we have hazard pay and family separation. (No idea if those are taxed.) Plus so many companies give military discounts, and there's the VA loan...

Trust me, I know military pay sucks on paper, but I'm pretty familar with the benefits.

this post was very interesting to me as i didnt know any of this

 

[poohandwendy]

What about soldiers in a combat zone? I admit, this is a perk I look forward to when DH is deployed.

I do not think anyone should be exempt from federal taxation, period. I think soldiers should be paid more, I think the benefits should be better. I think we all should be responsible for funding the govt, via taxes.

the amt is EVIL and is killing the middle class now that is something i would love to see bush actually fix instead of just cutting taxes

No doubt. This is why I get pissed when I hear people talk about how they 'work hard' and deserve the EIC...when I do my taxes and we not only contributed 12k and we find that we 'qualify' (what a lovely way to put it) for the alternative minimum tax and still OWE another 1500 dollars...while there are people who are not paying anything and getting money handed to them in addition? We bust our butts too, ya know? We are not rich, my DH is an electrician and I am a manicurist....

Enjoy that tax ''refund'' (is it really a refund if you are getting back more than you paid?) and we will just hand over 13,500 to the federal govt. Yeah, that is fair.

 

[katerkat]

While any soldier/sailor/airman would be foolish not to take advantage of it, I don't think combat zone pay should be excluded.

Just like I take advantage of getting higher BAH because I have dependents. I don't think it's right, because I don't think that just having a family merits a payraise, but it's there, so I take it. As a matter of fact, I don't believe that BAH & BAS should be tax exempt either, but it is.

Interesting - why do you think families shouldn't get more BAH? I mean - single people get the dorms while families get the houses. (As far as I know, two singles can't buddy up and get a house.) And they probably don't tax BAH because how would it work for those in housing, since we don't "technically" get our BAH? (And goodness knows, DFAS has enough trouble figuring out when to start/stop most payments. )

Our budget isn't dependent on the tax-free combat zone - it would suck if it did because it doesn't look like DH will deploy again until next Christmas - it's just a nice added perk. You know, when DFAS pays it correctly. (Though I guess only screwing up 3 out of 5 deployments is a good record?)

 

[BuckNaked]

Interesting - why do you think families shouldn't get more BAH? I mean - single people get the dorms while families get the houses. (As far as I know, two singles can't buddy up and get a house.) And they probably don't tax BAH because how would it work for those in housing, since we don't "technically" get our BAH? (And goodness knows, DFAS has enough trouble figuring out when to start/stop most payments. )

I feel your pain with DFAS - there is a term that starts with cluster that pretty much sums up my opinions of some of the folks there.

As for the why there shouldn't be more money for families, I look at it like this:

I'm working side by side with another airman, same pay grade, doing the same work. Each of us has an apartment. I have a baby and boom, I get a payraise. Not a large one, but a payraise nonetheless. Am I working any harder than the guy next to me? Am I producing any more than he is? Doubtful...in fact, he's most likely going to be covering for me when I'm out for my 6 weeks (or more) of maternity leave. And if I'm not producing more, then why am I getting paid more? Yes, it may well cost me more for housing once I have a child, but that's my choice, and I should know whether or not I can handle it before I have the baby. I personally don't know of any company that automatically gives a payraise simply because the employee gains a dependent.

Our budget isn't dependent on the tax-free combat zone - it would suck if it did because it doesn't look like DH will deploy again until next Christmas - it's just a nice added perk. You know, when DFAS pays it correctly. (Though I guess only screwing up 3 out of 5 deployments is a good record?)

I totally understand, and since it's there, there is no reason you shouldn't take it.

 

[katerkat]

I'm working side by side with another airman, same pay grade, doing the same work. Each of us has an apartment. I have a baby and boom, I get a payraise. Not a large one, but a payraise nonetheless. Am I working any harder than the guy next to me? Am I producing any more than he is? Doubtful...in fact, he's most likely going to be covering for me when I'm out for my 6 weeks (or more) of maternity leave. And if I'm not producing more, then why am I getting paid more? Yes, it may well cost me more for housing once I have a child, but that's my choice, and I should know whether or not I can handle it before I have the baby. I personally don't know of any company that automatically gives a payraise simply because the employee gains a dependent.

I understand, really - BUT - so what do you think of dorms/houses? Should all airman have equal access to the housing instead of the dorms? What about the fact that "dependent" BAH covers spouse AND any number of kids, but in many base houses, you can only get a certain house based on the number/gender/age of kids?

I don't even know why I'm arguing military regulations - I'm sure we both agree most are pretty, ah... (And I'm just bitter that we can't get a three bedroom even though there's tons of them empty on base.)

 

[tar heel]

poohandwendy -- you're so right about the "I work hard and I deserve it" thing. My dh and I both work full-time, which for him is in the 60-hour a week range. He's in management, so there's no overtime. I also make a couple thousand a year doing contract work on top of working full-time, taking care of the children, running the house, etc. We make a decent living and support our family, but there is absolutely zero chance of us having a shopping spree like the OP's. I hope to get our sofa reupholstered sometime in the next six months and we'll replace our 10-year-old TV with one that isn't plasma, LCD, widescreen, etc., when it dies (which it's been threatening to do for about six months).

The OP seems like a nice person, I've always enjoyed reading her posts, and I really admire the way she's getting an education so she can get the kind of job she needs to take care of her family. However, I don't think our social programs (and EITC is certainly a social program at heart) are intended for people with her apparent resources. She posted about buying vanity tags for her vehicles, for example, which I consider to be one of the ultimates in totally useless luxuries.