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I am going to make myself unpopular...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by europhile, Aug 25, 2006.

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  1. europhile

    europhile New Member

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    ... but I think the tax credit is a joke. I find most tax credits a joke -- it's all about special interests lobbying for very specific stuff, and it takes an accountant to figure it all out. It's not fair. I used to commute to work for years and years using public transportation, and never got "credit" for that, for being "environmental." I now get a commuter tax break, but my company has to hire a company to actually administer it. I think our tax system here is a complete joke. Off my soapbox.
     
    #1 europhile, Aug 25, 2006
  2. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(europhile @ Aug 25 2006, 11:12 AM) [snapback]309395[/snapback]</div>
    ITA with that statement. Oftentimes I think our government and legislation are total jokes too... :angry:
     
    #2 Rancid13, Aug 25, 2006
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Please don't tell me this just came to you....

    The tax credit isn't a joke, but I agree, it's no long term solution. It's a feel-good credit for the administration.

    On the up side it's gone a long way to encourage those on the fence to consider or buy a hybrid, when word gets out about how great they are it will have long term benefits for the future of hybrid technology and will help bash some of the myths about hybrids in the near-term.
     
    #3 efusco, Aug 25, 2006
  4. glenhead

    glenhead New Member

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    Heck yeah it's a joke, but it's a joke that puts moolah in the ol' wallet. One more reason to pull the chain, flush 'em all, and start again. Flat tax, anyone?
     
    #4 glenhead, Aug 25, 2006
  5. Soylent

    Soylent The v isn't a station wagon! It's just big boned

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    Hah, lemme tell you about jokes...remember when Bush did that whole refund check of $500 to every tax-payer in the United States? Oh yeah...that really kickstarted the economy, and now we can barely afford the war.
     
    #5 Soylent, Aug 25, 2006
  6. wilco

    wilco New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Soylent @ Aug 25 2006, 11:37 AM) [snapback]309407[/snapback]</div>
    When viewed as what it really was - a bribe - his tax refund was a great success.
     
    #6 wilco, Aug 25, 2006
  7. azzieo

    azzieo Junior Member

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    hey europhile, have you ever paid taxes in europe?.. like at least 50% income and another 20% in VAT (on everything, even bread)? I have the feeling you won't like that much either...
     
    #7 azzieo, Aug 25, 2006
  8. europhile

    europhile New Member

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    Actually, I have. For years. I am not speaking up against taxation at all, in case you've missed the point -- I am against special-interest tax credits. That's all. Over and out.
     
    #8 europhile, Aug 25, 2006
  9. TimBikes

    TimBikes New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(europhile @ Aug 25 2006, 11:12 AM) [snapback]309395[/snapback]</div>
    Your "tax credit" when riding public transit was the subsidy provided to you by other taxpayers to support it. Just because you didn't get a check in your pocket doesn't mean you didn't get anything. BTW, who are the special interests lobbying for public transit? Unions, construction companies, etc. You can find special interests on any issue. But I agree with you that the tax system is a joke.
     
    #9 TimBikes, Aug 25, 2006
  10. drdanj

    drdanj New Member

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    I know people who promote flat tax are well intended. But please, please, truly do some research. Flat tax as proposed will do nothing to improve things, only cut the rate for the rich. If you REALLY want tax law improvement, flat tax is a scam. Reall tax law improvement would be to get rid of the massive loopholes for corporations. Flat tax, as proposed retains all those loopholes. I know you mean well, am not criticizing your intent, but this is a scam being foisted on all of us.
    -------
    Heck yeah it's a joke, but it's a joke that puts moolah in the ol' wallet. One more reason to pull the chain, flush 'em all, and start again. Flat tax, anyone?
    [/quote]
     
    #10 drdanj, Aug 25, 2006
  11. azzieo

    azzieo Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(europhile @ Aug 25 2006, 02:34 PM) [snapback]309440[/snapback]</div>
    Well...
    1."think our tax system here is a complete joke" sound like a much more then that,
    2.tax credits come on top of very low rate and flexible taxation system (and I didn't say it's perfect or anything), so if you're against them - just don't claim them, it so easy, and
    3.if you're actually interested in getting the cash and you can't figure it out yourself - don't be a cheap arse and get an accountant.
     
    #11 azzieo, Aug 25, 2006
  12. mootsman

    mootsman New Member

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    I have no problems with ANY tax credit or refund that ANYBODY gets. I think it's the American way to be fair and honest....but get back EVERY penny you are legally entitled to. I would not have bought my Prius without the $3150 -- that's what made the difference for me. Oh well, to each his own and no flame intended.
     
    #12 mootsman, Aug 25, 2006
  13. rfred

    rfred New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mootsman @ Aug 25 2006, 04:05 PM) [snapback]309478[/snapback]</div>
    We can't afford the war and our children and grandchildren are being saddled with trillions of dollars of debt that are being squandered by this administration and their cronies in congress. And ask yourself, do you think this nation is better off than it was 6 years ago?
     
    #13 rfred, Aug 25, 2006
  14. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I think there's a difference b/w a "special interest" tax break (be it a credit, deduction, exemption, whatever", and a tax break that is an incentive to encourage people to do something positive for our country that maybe they otherwise wouldn't have b/c of cost.

    Switching to Solar energy systems, wind systems, hybrid cars (a stretch, but bear with me), energy efficient homes, etc. are significantly more expensive at this point in time. Some means of promoting the growth of such products is important...we could have the gov't give subsidies to the companies...but that leads to terrible corruption that's difficult to prove and expensive to investigate. If you give that same money to the end user you can avoid much of that hidden fraud and encourge the public to do the right thing.

    Likewise with the arts and other important yet expensive endeavors that contribute in a positive way to our world but people would be less inclined to do if they not only had to pay the full cost but be taxed on it as well.

    No, it's not a perfect system. Yes, it's gotten to be way too pork barrel inbred and complex. But to throw the baby out with the bath water isn't the answer either. Revamp, yes. Simplify, yes. But to call it all bad...no.
     
    #14 efusco, Aug 25, 2006
  15. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    So, I can get a tax credit for buying a fuel-efficient, less polluting car, on the basis that it's good for the environment. So far, so good. What if I want to do something really good for the environment, and not buy a car at all? Why can't I get a tax credit for my bike, or my bus pass, or my shoes? :)
     
    #15 hyo silver, Aug 25, 2006
  16. sl7vk

    sl7vk Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 25 2006, 02:24 PM) [snapback]309402[/snapback]</div>
    Ding ding ding!!!!

    We have a winner.

    Tax credit got me to buy this car over the 07 Camry. Now I wouldn't dream of another car credit or not, and I make my opinions known to EVERYONE.
     
    #16 sl7vk, Aug 25, 2006
  17. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    I'm officially accepting all $3150 tax credits that anyone else doesn't want to use................ :lol: :rolleyes: :lol:

    wish it were that easy, but yeah, we can use it on the federal tax form for this tax year.
     
    #17 Rangerdavid, Aug 25, 2006
  18. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Aug 25 2006, 04:33 PM) [snapback]309494[/snapback]</div>
    Those are not more expensive, albeit they can be a bit more burdomsome/less convenient. But the incentive is the negligible cost. The tax payers already put money toward those things (maybe not your bike or shoes) to keep the cost low to you.

    That said, I wouldn't be averse to further tax incentives to encourage people to ride...but how would you prove they actually were using the mass transit instead of driving a car?
     
    #18 efusco, Aug 25, 2006
  19. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 25 2006, 05:56 PM) [snapback]309511[/snapback]</div>
    I understand mass transit is subsidised by taxpayers, but not nearly to the extent the private automobile is. Including your monthly transit passes with your annual tax return, and deducting the total amount you paid for them, would seem reasonable.
     
    #19 hyo silver, Aug 25, 2006
  20. rudiger

    rudiger Active Member

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    The real joke is that the federal $25,000 tax deduction for the purchase of new vehicles with a GVW of over 6000 lbs that are used for 'business' (like full-sized, gas-guzzling SUVs...yeah, right) is still in effect.
     
    #20 rudiger, Aug 25, 2006
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