The legality of paying income taxes - an argument for tax evasion?

[jackfaire]

In my area you pay for water/sewage, you pay for all your utilities then on top of everything you pay property taxes. Property taxes in this area has nothing to do with the home at all. Except that your paying the government for the "privilege" of owning it.

[Boozy]

Except that your paying the government for the "privilege" of owning it.

I understand why someone may think of property taxes this way, but you are not getting taxed for the privilege of owning land any more than you are being charged income tax for the privilege of working.

If you want roads, schools, etc, you gotta tax something. That's all it comes down to.

[jackfaire]

I understand why someone may think of property taxes this way, but you are not getting taxed for the privilege of owning land any more than you are being charged income tax for the privilege of working.

If you want roads, schools, etc, you gotta tax something. That's all it comes down to.

Then honestly charge me more income tax don't threaten my home. If you don't pay income tax then when the IRS catches up to you they go after your assets.

If you don't pay property tax they go after your home. I am cool with my income being taxed because we are talking straight up money. Why should I pay taxes on my land though?

I rent because one my rent is cheaper than a mortgage would be and two I don't want to pay taxes on a piece of land I own. I can understand paying a tax when I buy the land but to have to keep paying taxes on it for the rest of my life?


Edit:

To me the point of buying your home is to stop having to pay others. Property Tax means you never stop paying others..

[joe hx]

At least in Ohio, property is taxed by the local city governments. I know of nowhere where the federal government imposes property tax.

My local property tax goes towards schools, police, roads, arts, and probably some things I can't think of... I do pay a local income tax, but I don't think any of that goes towards schools.

A general rule of thumb for the government taxing things is rather like rule 34: if it exists, it can be taxed.

See that rich guy on the hill with the briefcase full of money? Tax that money. See that grandfather that just passed away? Tax the inheritance his grandkids are getting.

[Mytical]

Well the statement that all people hate to PAY tax may be correct, but if you said "Poeple hate to file taxes" you would be mistaken. I look forward to it each and every year. Simply because I always get back MORE then what I pay in. Every single year. Of course that is because I make chicken feed, no wait..chickens probably get more feed then I make money...despite working over 70+ hrs a week on a regular basis.

That is also with no dependants (other then myself) also. So I am more then happy to file taxes. I get every dime I pay in back, plus a little extra.

[MadMike]

See that grandfather that just passed away? Tax the inheritance his grandkids are getting.

That's another thing that pisses me off. The money that the grandfather made was taxed when he was alive, when he was making it. So then when he passes it on, they're going to tax it again. It strikes me as double-dipping.

My grandma on my mom's side, who is my last living grandparent, is leaving all her money to me, my brother, and my mom (she's an only child, so she's giving it all to us three.) Every so often she gives us some money, just so there will be less for us to pay inheritance taxes on. Whatever she gives to us while she's still alive is considered a gift, and therefore, non-taxable.

[Mytical]

Lol, I have advise to get around that, perfectly legal .. but it would depend on the people involved. Since I don't want to offer 'questionable' (even if perfectly legal) advice here...I'll just leave it at the fact there IS a way around it.

[crashhelmet]

Every so often she gives us some money, just so there will be less for us to pay inheritance taxes on. Whatever she gives to us while she's still alive is considered a gift, and therefore, non-taxable.

IIRC, gifts are only non-taxable up to a certain amount/value. I don't know what it is off hand, but it's designed to eliminate the potential risk of people trying to cheat.

CH

[MadMike]

IIRC, gifts are only non-taxable up to a certain amount/value. I don't know what it is off hand, but it's designed to eliminate the potential risk of people trying to cheat.

I think the limit was 10 grand, because that's what she gave us so we could buy our house. I'm pretty sure she told us that if she'd given us anymore than that, they would have tried to tax us on it.

[Mytical]

Just remember that limit is per year also..just saying...coming in just under it per year is perfectly legal and legit.