How Low Can It Go?

It's not our fault. Evolution has made us this way.

Are you sure it wasn't intelligent design??

I wouldn't go that far, but I tell you one thing, I'm not too broken up about the income we'll be losing when my wife stops working in July.

One income is going to be a lot more advantageous when it comes to tax efficiency.

The moral hazard is real.

This moral hazard is always real for all married couples regardless of income and tax burden. Admittedly the dilemma is faced by the middle class more so than the rich (mostly have choice) and the poor (rarely have choice). I appreciate and support people doing the math, but I can't get behind the notion that people will stop working and purposefully try to lower their income in the name of tax efficiency as being rational.

The decision making starts at 250K.

It's not our fault. Evolution has made us this way.

You are absolutely right, Neanderthals had it coming.

I just wished that ever American had to sit down at the end of the month and write out a check to the federal and state to pay their taxes. This way its not hidden in each paycheck and people had to actually write out the amount and withdraw it over and over again from their check book. Now the goverment has the employeer do their dirty work and most people have no clue what they pay in taxes. All they care about is how much of a refund will they get at the end of the year. If they had to actually pay these taxes those refund checks they receive would start to look kind of small. I love when someone making 60,000 grand a year gets all excited at getting back $500 to $1,200 like they hit the jack pot. When I hear someone like that I look at them and ask them how much they paid in taxes. They usually get this dumb look on their face and say "I don't know". So who here knows what they pay in taxes each year without looking at you taxes or pay stub?

I do, state and federal, plus the parts, and I get irked every time i dwell on it. (and yes i think we could do with one less 22Billion dollar fighter every now as well as let a mouse or two or a whole species even (another one will pop up right?) meet its maker in San Fran.

I just wished that ever American had to sit down at the end of the month and write out a check to the federal and state to pay their taxes. This way its not hidden in each paycheck and people had to actually write out the amount and withdraw it over and over again from their check book. Now the goverment has the employeer do their dirty work and most people have no clue what they pay in taxes. All they care about is how much of a refund will they get at the end of the year. If they had to actually pay these taxes those refund checks they receive would start to look kind of small. I love when someone making 60,000 grand a year gets all excited at getting back $500 to $1,200 like they hit the jack pot. When I hear someone like that I look at them and ask them how much they paid in taxes. They usually get this dumb look on their face and say "I don't know". So who here knows what they pay in taxes each year without looking at you taxes or pay stub?

I do. $16,444 to the federal government in 2008, plus whatever for Medicare, plus whatever for social security, plus 4100 for real estate taxes, plus 2800 for Philadelphia wage, plus 5500 for PA state income. But I get your point, I'm a rarity, my mind is like the green screen from The Matrix except it's filled with cap numbers and dollar signs.

Looks like the FDIC is no longer solvent. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123630125365247061.html) It just gets better every day.

I just wished that ever American had to sit down at the end of the month and write out a check to the federal and state to pay their taxes. This way its not hidden in each paycheck and people had to actually write out the amount and withdraw it over and over again from their check book. Now the goverment has the employeer do their dirty work and most people have no clue what they pay in taxes. All they care about is how much of a refund will they get at the end of the year. If they had to actually pay these taxes those refund checks they receive would start to look kind of small. I love when someone making 60,000 grand a year gets all excited at getting back $500 to $1,200 like they hit the jack pot. When I hear someone like that I look at them and ask them how much they paid in taxes. They usually get this dumb look on their face and say "I don't know". So who here knows what they pay in taxes each year without looking at you taxes or pay stub?

I'm way too obsessed with $$ not to know what I paid in taxes. I was also pleased to get a nice refund this year as well. One of the few things I miss about living in Florida is no state income tax. However if you travel anywhere by car within the state you'll pay out the ass for tolls.

This (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=220252&title=cnbc-gives-financial-advice) is relevant to the thread, no? I love the money shot at the end!

I just wished that ever American had to sit down at the end of the month and write out a check to the federal and state to pay their taxes. This way its not hidden in each paycheck and people had to actually write out the amount and withdraw it over and over again from their check book. Now the goverment has the employeer do their dirty work and most people have no clue what they pay in taxes. All they care about is how much of a refund will they get at the end of the year. If they had to actually pay these taxes those refund checks they receive would start to look kind of small. I love when someone making 60,000 grand a year gets all excited at getting back $500 to $1,200 like they hit the jack pot. When I hear someone like that I look at them and ask them how much they paid in taxes. They usually get this dumb look on their face and say "I don't know". So who here knows what they pay in taxes each year without looking at you taxes or pay stub?


Just because I pay it through my employer doesn't mean I don't notice..it's pretty hard not to notice the ~$2400 cut the feds take every month. You ain't special Mr. Firstdown for paying it yourself every month, no sir.

Just because I pay it through my employer doesn't mean I don't notice..it's pretty hard not to notice the ~$2400 cut the feds take every month. You ain't special Mr. Firstdown for paying it yourself every month, no sir.

My God man. You're one of those limousine liberals I've heard about. I mean, I could buy ma beer and ma pills for a whole year on what you give the government in one month.