VAT tax, this sucks!!!!!!!!!!!

[bumbershoot]

Since we Americans are apparently too dumb to manage our own lives...

I know, many in this country really are bad at it. Isn't that sad? What's sadder is that as other countries copy us (get McD's, etc), they then have the same problems that we do. Awful.


I didn't know about an extra tax on tanning, but tanning is an extreme luxury so I'm OK with it. Haven't done it in over 20 years...

it's funny to think of it being racist, but anyone could use the tanning beds...just not everyone chooses to. My husband is half Korean, and can tan several shades in just a couple hours in the sun (even with sunscreen)...he had a farmers tan one winter and I convinced him to go in the free tanning bed at our apartment complex...he got his very first sunBURN in it! Poor guy....

 

[eliza61]

This time it doesn't bother you but what if the next thing is something you like? This is a bigger issue. My guess is not everyone at the Boston Tea Party actually liked tea, ya know.

I'm already paying taxes on tons of things I hate. It's called living in a country where many people like many different things. No one's "tax" is better or worse than anyone elses.


Luxury taxes don't bother me because as I said originally, you totally have a choice. You will not die if you don't get a tan & you'll probably live a hell of a lot longer if you give up the fast food and soda. So these are an easy remedy. don't like the tax, don't do the vice. I don't get a choice of funding useless wars or loans to other countries, my taxes do it. not saying these are bad things but maybe not some thing some people would want their taxes used on.

I'd much prefer they tax that crap and then get rid of the taxes on gasoline and lower the income tax.

 

[DawnM]

I am going to ask an ignorant question here.

So, you paid 10% tax on top of your regular tax for a tanning bed? Was this a bed you purchased or is this just for use of a tanning bed?

Not sure I get what you paid.

Dawn

 

[TheRatPack]

And not everyone goes to the tanning bed to get a tan, I used to go to help with my psoriasis....I'd wear sunscreen on my other unaffected parts LOL I always thought it was funny to go to the tanning bed during the winter to help with psoriasis and then not ever build up a tan.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

I've heard a fast food tax discussed, as well as more aggressive taxation on alcohol and cigarettes. It doesn't bother me because it doesn't impact me, and I'd rather have negative choices taxed than my income!

Negative choices according to who?

What if there comes a time that vacations are considered a "negative choice", people would be better off spending their money so their next door neighbor can afford health care, and all resorts, airfares, rental cars etc have an additional 5% tax..

 

[HHSTigerFan]

I'd much prefer they tax that crap and then get rid of the taxes on gasoline and lower the income tax.

Or maybe devise a system where ALL people pay income tax?

Letting the govt decide whats a vice and whats a luxury item and should be treated with great concern.. Should Grand Floridian be taxed at a higher rate than Pop Century? Should choice cuts of meat be taxed at a higher rate than ground beef? Should Andersen windows be taxed at a higher rate than a cheaper brand?

How about if we also tax sugar coated cereal at a higher rate?

 

[jakenjess]

I'm already paying taxes on tons of things I hate. It's called living in a country where many people like many different things. No one's "tax" is better or worse than anyone elses.


Luxury taxes don't bother me because as I said originally, you totally have a choice. You will not die if you don't get a tan & you'll probably live a hell of a lot longer if you give up the fast food and soda. So these are an easy remedy. don't like the tax, don't do the vice. I don't get a choice of funding useless wars or loans to other countries, my taxes do it. not saying these are bad things but maybe not some thing some people would want their taxes used on.

I'd much prefer they tax that crap and then get rid of the taxes on gasoline and lower the income tax.

Completely agree. After just paying a completely ridiculous amount of income tax, I'd much rather they lower that rate. I don't have to buy fast food and soda, and if I choose to then fine, I pay the tax. I have no problem with taxes on a tanning bed; I too liken it to a tax on cigarettes.

 

[DawnM]

Well, no one cares how much things are taxed until something THEY use is on the list.

Grand Floridian and sugar coated cereal, go ahead! I don't use either.

But don't touch my gourmet coffee beans!

Or maybe devise a system where ALL people pay income tax?

Letting the govt decide whats a vice and whats a luxury item and should be treated with great concern.. Should Grand Floridian be taxed at a higher rate than Pop Century? Should choice cuts of meat be taxed at a higher rate than ground beef? Should Andersen windows be taxed at a higher rate than a cheaper brand?

How about if we also tax sugar coated cereal at a higher rate?

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Starbucks is a place I never go to, been there once my entire life, but no way do I want them charged an excise tax..

Balance budget= decrease expenses and change income tax system so ALL people pay income tax.

 

[BBandDisney]

 

[JB2K]

Since we Americans are apparently too dumb to manage our own lives, maybe they should also add on an extra tax for fast food, candy and pop.

It's already here -- at least in some states (namely, Illinois)...

 

[eliza61]

Or maybe devise a system where ALL people pay income tax?

Letting the govt decide whats a vice and whats a luxury item and should be treated with great concern.. Should Grand Floridian be taxed at a higher rate than Pop Century? Should choice cuts of meat be taxed at a higher rate than ground beef? Should Andersen windows be taxed at a higher rate than a cheaper brand?

How about if we also tax sugar coated cereal at a higher rate?

Then I decide whether or not to buy the sugar coated cereal. Oh and I believe the UK does impose a tax on some artifically over sugared food and guess what their obesity rate is dropping which in the long run will effect the cost of health care. Obesity is expensive as far as health related cost is cncerned.

See in all the above choices, you the consumer have the final say. You make a consicious decision on what is important or worthwhile. And in this country nothing implements change faster than the good ole american dollar. price of gas changes our view on oil, the recession changed many a view on buying things they could not afford.

I purchased a fur coat last winter in NYC. I love the styles and the quality of their items,I love not shopping at a mall where 20 other people will have the same item. I was taxed on my purchase because the government on NYS made the decision that these items have sales tax. I fully knew this prior to making my decision. I did this because the coat was some thing I wanted, I could have purchased a clothe coat in NJ where I live tax free.

Yes letting the government make adecision should be treated with great concern but a decision must be made & sorry but some luxuries are no brainers. A 300 foot yacht is a luxury. a tanning salon (for the great part, some are medically necessary) luxury. I've yet to hear of a case of the Grand Floridian being necessary for life, liberty and happiness (ok I take that back, it makes me very happy)

 

[marie1203]

Negative choices according to who?

What if there comes a time that vacations are considered a "negative choice", people would be better off spending their money so their next door neighbor can afford health care, and all resorts, airfares, rental cars etc have an additional 5% tax..

You already pay a resort tax. You pay different kind of taxes on airline tickets close to 30% including the security fee.

I do not care to pay for those extra taxes on vacations as I do think vacations are a luxury. There are the things we need and the things we want. We get a choice to get the things we want and I think those are consider a luxury.

 

[Free4Life11]

Since we Americans are apparently too dumb to manage our own lives, maybe they should also add on an extra tax for fast food, candy and pop.

Good idea!

I am so sick of hearing about OBAMA care. People realize CONGRESS voted for this I hope.

 

[fakereadhed]

It's not a VAT tax, but if you follow the sentiment on this thread a luxury is anything you have a choice whether or not to buy, which could be anything. Think about it. It's only a matter of time until everything has extra taxes on it. Just because I don't tan doesn't mean I don't care about the implications on my freedom.

As far as NYC banning salt, there are more ridiculous local ordinances where we all live. Trust me, my DH was involved in local politics. But that's apples to oranges because those are local decisions. It's one thing to live in a city or state that puts in place lifestyle laws or taxes and quite another to make it federal. I'm not for that. You have the choice to choose where you live within the US. Don't like the local laws? You have the freedom to move elsewhere.

Completely agree. After just paying a completely ridiculous amount of income tax, I'd much rather they lower that rate. I don't have to buy fast food and soda, and if I choose to then fine, I pay the tax. I have no problem with taxes on a tanning bed; I too liken it to a tax on cigarettes.

These are additional taxes. Nobody is talking about lowering tax rates. Not gonna happen!

 

[wtccheermom]

well see, the red hair you can't avoid. The tanning bed you can totally avoid.

Stop going. Not only will you not have to pay the tax, you won't have to worry about getting skin cancer.

problem solved

Wow aren’t you pretty bold with your comments. Just to let you know since you think tanning beds can be avoided my dermatologist recommended one for my skin and it has worked wonders. I go twice a week for 8 minutes and I don’t have to take any meds for my skin condition and there are many people like me who do this.

So problem not solved!

 

[ceecee]

Wow aren’t you pretty bold with your comments. Just to let you know since you think tanning beds can be avoided my dermatologist recommended one for my skin and it has worked wonders. I go twice a week for 8 minutes and I don’t have to take any meds for my skin condition and there are many people like me who do this.

So problem not solved!

Not too many dermatologists will recommend tanning beds, although I'm sure he said moderation. Going to tanning beds causes more harm than good, not only skin cancer, early age cataracts, wrinkles and age spots that are ugly!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Wow aren’t you pretty bold with your comments. Just to let you know since you think tanning beds can be avoided my dermatologist recommended one for my skin and it has worked wonders. I go twice a week for 8 minutes and I don’t have to take any meds for my skin condition and there are many people like me who do this.

So problem not solved!

Since it's for a medical condition, I wonder if the tax could be waived for you.
I don't even know who you would ask.

 

[marie1203]

It's not a VAT tax, but if you follow the sentiment on this thread a luxury is anything you have a choice whether or not to buy, which could be anything.

I disagree from what I got is that there is a big difference what we need and what we want. We need food, but we don't need to go out to eat. We need gas but we don't need a car that consumes a lot of gas. We need clothing but we don't need the $300 jeans. Those are the choices we make and that is what I would consider luxury. There are states that tax luxury items and then don't tax what you need. If you go to the grocery you don't pay tax but if you go out to eat you do.

 

[wtccheermom]

Not too many dermatologists will recommend tanning beds, although I'm sure he said moderation. Going to tanning beds causes more harm than good, not only skin cancer, early age cataracts, wrinkles and age spots that are ugly!

Actually that is not true if you tan responsibly and 16 minutes a week is not a problem according to my doctor. Plus none of the funky side effects my meds were causing my skin is great and I have a healthy glow. Oh and just so everyone knows the 10% is also added to spray tanning which causes no health issues except for maybe an orangey glow on some. I wonder if some of you will be OK with added taxes to so called luxuries when it spills over to the hair salons and spas? The list could go on!