WARNING - VENT - NYS TAXES...Who wants to join me?

[Crazy4mandms]

I am SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING OUT more than 50 percent of my income in taxes!!! Between income tax, sales tax, property tax, school tax and all the stupid taxes my husband 1) pays out just to do biz in NYS and 2) pays to either employ (he pays an employment tax or to not employ (unemployment tax!) we just seem to keep getting slapped in the face!!!

Am I bitter? Obviously!! We both claimed 1 last year and he started a new biz (ya know depreciation on the equip, etc....biz is only breaking even) and so we expected in the least to break even. WE STILL OWE MONEY THIS YEAR!!!!!!!! And to add insult to injury, I know others who barely make $20,000 a year and get 1,000s in a tax return (um, let me correct myself, they only pay 100s in taxes each year and get 1,000s..so they get a tax HANDOUT from ME!!).

Someone please poke me in the head and ask me why I am still living in NYS????? We do not live in a democracy in this state, this is obviously socialist state!

 

[C.Ann]

The taxes in NY play a big part in all of those folks moving south when they retire..

As for those who aren't old enough to retire, if they get the opportunity to leave NY they don't hesitate for a second.. It's definitely one of the higher (if not highest) taxed states in the country..

Sorry your taxes are so bad this year..

 

[Honeibee]

Oh honey, I hear ya big time.

For many years I would get a refund of $1500-1800 a year. I liked it that way and had my deductions set up so that would happen.

But since I married DH in June last year, and he makes four times what I make, we are now in a different tax bracket. So now, not only do I not get a refund, we have to PAY a ridiculous amount!

So, somebody's enjoying my "donation". I'd like to know if I can claim that money as a donation to the government on next year's taxes!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

[bicker]

What's strange is that even with all the taxes the states get up here, they're still not rolling in surplusses. That money's going somewhere, and it isn't going into corruption, as many folks here would love to think. They're actually spending an ungodly sum of money just on health care; health insurance for state workers and subsidies to health care providers for care of the indigent. That's where the money's going.

 

[AllyandJack]

I'm more annoyed that I have to pay thousands extra every year thanks to the AMT while my cousin on welfare gets thousands back thanks to the EITC.

I'll pay my share, but don't expect me to be thrilled that she gets extra for nothing.

We've learned a lot over the last few years of getting it up the....nose.... I've cut my hours back and I take a few weeks off every year unpaid. We funnel the max into 401K plans. Granted, we're taking home less weekly and in general, but I'd rather miss it a little at a time than get hit with the big bill once a year. I can afford to earn less, but I can't afford to get hit with a bill for thousands of dollars every year. The actual amount is a surprise, so it's not like I can plan for it and, to be honest, I'd rather just not make the money than have to pay it in more taxes.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

What's strange is that even with all the taxes the states get up here, they're still not rolling in surplusses. That money's going somewhere, and it isn't going into corruption, as many folks here would love to think. They're actually spending an ungodly sum of money just on health care; health insurance for state workers and subsidies to health care providers for care of the indigent. That's where the money's going.

So it is supposed to put my mind at ease that much of the money is going for health care? That is a corrupt system in itself. Much of that money is going to the indigent, and not those who are impoverished because of means beyond their control (like TRUE disability) but because they would rather live off the system. And the corruption I see is prevalent. People make poor choices (having multiple children they can't afford or don't want, abusing drugs and alcohol, not taking advantage of educational opportunities) and the rest of us pay for those choices because those people know that we will. I am not an uncaring person by any means. I have a very dear friend on the system right now....she is dying of cancer. Am I talking about her and others like her? Absolutely not!! Whom am I speaking of? The firefighter down the street who has been on disability for several years because he has a bad back and can't work but was out building his deck last summer. I mean the group of people living in gov housing here 2 yrs ago that told the welfare office that their husbands left them and collected over $500,000 in welfare benefits when their lazy hubbys were sitting around watching reruns of Baywatch instead of supporting their families. I'm talking about people whose disabilities are being addicted to drugs..why go to rehab when you can just continue to have your drug habit paid for? I'm talking about those people who decide to have another child when their time on welfare is finished. Now, if I know a dozen or so people in my little corner of the world that are abusing the system, and that is just in my little corner, I hesitate to believe that corruption is NOT a big problem. Phew!! Nothing personal to anyone, just still fuming.

 

[bicker]

So it is supposed to put my mind at ease that much of the money is going for health care?

Nothing can put your mind at ease.

Much of that money is going to the indigent, and not those who are impoverished because of means beyond their control (like TRUE disability) but because they would rather live off the system.

I think a lot of it goes to people who operate cash businesses, and who hide their income so as to be eligible for benefits they wouldn't get if they got standard paychecks like the rest of us do.

And the corruption I see is prevalent. People make poor choices (having multiple children they can't afford or don't want, abusing drugs and alcohol, not taking advantage of educational opportunities) and the rest of us pay for those choices because those people know that we will.

I'm sure there's a lot of all that too. What's the answer though? Poor houses? Institutionalize any poor people who get pregnant, poor adicts, and poor folks who didn't go to college?

Whom am I speaking of? The firefighter down the street who has been on disability for several years because he has a bad back and can't work but was out building his deck last summer.

Working the system is definitely a major social ill that needs to be addressed. We even see it in our discussions here on the DIS, where folks will rationalize their behavior just like your firefighter-neighbor. Our society needs more transparency.

For example, somehow "privacy" has be corrupted. Some governments are trying to tell women what they can do with their bodies, but won't dare step in to watch what people do with their money, like your firefighter-neighbor! Their money is more deserving of respect than their bodies???? It's a morally bankrupt distortion of privacy.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OUCH!!! That is painful.

 

[Maryr1]

I live in NY too and have 2 homes-both year round about 1 hour apart from each other. During the school year we live at the home closer to my husbands job and during the summer and school vacation we live at house #2-on a lake. My DD8 is a special ed student. I pay full taxes on both homes but can ONLY access school services from 1 home. That means that during the summer I have to drive her over 1 hour each way every day for summer services or pay for them out of pocket. Essentially, I pay taxes on a home that I get NO services for. My home district could contract out her services to district #2, but they are not obligated (or interested in) doing so. You would be appalled if I told you how much I have spent on summer services for her. What upsets me is that I pay school taxes and get nothing for them. We have researched this and can find no way to access the services-you cannot privately enroll in a public school that you already pay taxes to! I am getting ready to hire a speech therapist and special ed tutor for this coming summer right now.AHHHH!!!!! Sometimes it helps to vent......

 

[bicker]

I feel you; I pay school taxes to, and we don't have any children in school!!!!!

 

[grinningghost]

I can join in this rant for sure. I am so sick to death of the taxes in this state and yet, I can't leave. DH's job is too secure and if he transfers to another state, he loses seniority.

We're selling our house, where we're taxed high enough - but our new house taxes are going to be $6800 on a 1300 sq. foot house. That's pretty freakin' insane. And that's JUST property tax.

In New York, you're taxed on the air you breathe. It's disgusting.

 

[JoyG]

I'll vent with you!

I pay MORE in state taxes then I do in Federal taxes!

I get a nice Federal refund every year, but no state refund!

AND my city and county are being run by state control boards. My salary (as a city employee) is frozen by the control board and the city and county finances are in a mess. Where is all that tax money going????

 

[bicker]

Why can't the just charge us for the services we use? I'd be happy to pay a tax for police protection, and for economic development, because those are for the common good, but schools can be covered with a use fee, roads can be covered with tolls and via gas taxes, water and sewer can be metered so people pay based on usage, garbage removal can be paid for via refuse stickers, etc.

 

[grinningghost]

I'll vent with you!

I pay MORE in state taxes then I do in Federal taxes!

I get a nice Federal refund every year, but no state refund!

AND my city and county are being run by state control boards. My salary (as a city employee) is frozen by the control board and the city and county finances are in a mess. Where is all that tax money going????

The control board is joke. They are nothing more than window dressing for this stupid city. And I agree on the state tax - never a refund from them. Although my DD16 did get a TWO dollar state refund.

Funny they would part with two bucks. Someone must have been sleeping on the job in Albany.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

The control board is joke. They are nothing more than window dressing for this stupid city. And I agree on the state tax - never a refund from them. Although my DD16 did get a TWO dollar state refund.

Funny they would part with two bucks. Someone must have been sleeping on the job in Albany.

I feel esp bad for you Buffalonians! I'm orig from Buffalo (The Valley, Southside!). I visit my family up there and it is a ghost town. It is so sad to see that everyone is heading to Canada, mostly because it is cheaper to stay and play up there than on the American side.

My hubby is doing the right thing with his biz...everything is above the radar, even tho we've had people tell us that the biz won't survive if we continue to do that because everything is taxed..but we still do the right thing, that is what continues to infuriate me. And on top of that, there is a possibility that they plan on RAISING the taxes on small biz in NY!!! If that happens his honestly will be his downfall.

 

[aprilgail2]

I so can't wait to get out of NY....when I open my paycheck and my 1,000 becomes 600.00 after they grab their share it kills me!! Then add on 6000+ property tax a year, sewer tax, high electric bills, high oil bills, 8 3/4 percent tax on whatever you buy its killing me!!

 

[Kimberle]

Well, don't move to CT! It's not any better up here. Lots of old retired people are forced to sell their homes because they simply cannot afford the taxes.

The tax I HATE the most is the stupid car tax. You are taxed on your car each year, several hundred dollars generally. We're not talking the Mercedes and luxuary cars, any car. Public transportation is pretty bad, so you need a car. It's not a luxuary.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I'm more annoyed that I have to pay thousands extra every year thanks to the AMT while my cousin on welfare gets thousands back thanks to the EITC.

I'll pay my share, but don't expect me to be thrilled that she gets extra for nothing.

We've learned a lot over the last few years of getting it up the....nose.... I've cut my hours back and I take a few weeks off every year unpaid. We funnel the max into 401K plans. Granted, we're taking home less weekly and in general, but I'd rather miss it a little at a time than get hit with the big bill once a year. I can afford to earn less, but I can't afford to get hit with a bill for thousands of dollars every year. The actual amount is a surprise, so it's not like I can plan for it and, to be honest, I'd rather just not make the money than have to pay it in more taxes.

Oh I hear you, loud and clear! When i6t comes to charities I would love to be able to pick and choose which charity we donate.!!

 

[DVC Sadie]

Nothing can put your mind at ease.

I think a lot of it goes to people who operate cash businesses, and who hide their income so as to be eligible for benefits they wouldn't get if they got standard paychecks like the rest of us do.

I'm sure there's a lot of all that too. What's the answer though? Poor houses? Institutionalize any poor people who get pregnant, poor adicts, and poor folks who didn't go to college?

Working the system is definitely a major social ill that needs to be addressed. We even see it in our discussions here on the DIS, where folks will rationalize their behavior just like your firefighter-neighbor. Our society needs more transparency.

For example, somehow "privacy" has be corrupted. Some governments are trying to tell women what they can do with their bodies, but won't dare step in to watch what people do with their money, like your firefighter-neighbor! Their money is more deserving of respect than their bodies???? It's a morally bankrupt distortion of privacy.

Thank you!! Corrupted has nothing to do with charitable contributions. Just my 2.00!!!!!!!

 

[Mi3stooges]

I vote for sim city!!