Are taxes really the lowest they've been in 50 years?

[OohPooPahDoo]

I've heard this stated as a matter of fact a few times now over the past couple of months, most recently by Bill Maher, a man with obviously questionable objectivity.

Is there any truth to this claim?

What is the basis for it?

If it is indeed true, then why the heck would Republicans insist that any tax increases at all are a non-starter?

Tax revenues has a percent of GDP are historically low.

 

[OohPooPahDoo]

It is a bogus claim... they forget the amount of deductions,

What was the amount they forgot?

 

[manifold]

Obviously USA Today can't

They just run a piece based on information "THEY" choose.

I think OddDude's point is at least somewhat valid, but I'm not ready to simply conclude that the overall tax burden is the same or greater without a quantifiable apples to apples comparison.

With pleasure.

What are taxes on things like beer, wine and liquor today, as compared to then?...How about tobacco taxes?

What's the FICA rate compared to then?...Medicare tax?

How about the fuel tax rate and other "fees", like the crap tacked onto airline tickets?

What of the costs of complying with bureaucratic behemoths like FDA, OSHA, ADA, EPA, BATF, and the rest of the federal Alphabet Soup Mafia, which didn't even exist 50 years ago? (OK...Maybe the FDA did, but you get my point)...Do y'all think that the costs of compliance come at no expense to the end consumer?

Anyone?

Beuller?

What about them?

Do they all add up to more than the difference in federal income tax?

Maybe they do, maybe they don't.

 

[Ravi]

Not to mention

Income tax = mandatory
Sin tax = not so much

 

[DiamondDave]

Still not seeing any links.
Blogs dont count. This is what i was told when i used a blog so tough shit your blog doesnt count.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02inpetr.pdf

As stated... it was a blog with the writeup, which explained concisely... the numbers and explanations can be easily looked up... as is the form showing all the areas of deductions

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/02inpetr.pdf
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040--1944.pdf

Quite simply... all the BS about a 90+% rate is exactly that, BS.... so many things were allowed to be taken off income that the effective rate was around 40% for the highest of the highest earners...

So you and your little wealth redistribution cronies can spout off all you want... we'll all know the inherent lie behind it all

 

[manifold]

Quite simply... all the BS about a 90+% rate is exactly that, BS.... so many things were allowed to be taken off income that the effective rate was around 40% for the highest of the highest earners...

And how does that compare to today's effective rate?

 

[Photonic]

Mm hmm.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

So far, nobody has "stepped up" to answer my point.

There are now a myriad of taxes, fees and costs of compliance that didn't exist 50 years ago....Even though the one federal income rate is lower, there are numerous other avenues used to bore into the wallets of today's taxpayers.

You're not supposed to notice that....

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Not to mention

Income tax = mandatory
Sin tax = not so much

Tell that to a hardcore smoker AND alcoholic.

 

[DiamondDave]

Quite simply... all the BS about a 90+% rate is exactly that, BS.... so many things were allowed to be taken off income that the effective rate was around 40% for the highest of the highest earners...

And how does that compare to today's effective rate?

Your real tax rate: 40% - MSN Money

In actuality.. considering the new types of taxes, etc... it's about the same

 

[Wry Catcher]

So far, nobody has "stepped up" to answer my point.

There are now a myriad of taxes, fees and costs of compliance that didn't exist 50 years ago....Even though the one federal income rate is lower, there are numerous other avenues used to bore into the wallets of today's taxpayers.

Newspeak from the New Right:

Taxes are bad, War is Peace

Taxes are bad, Freedom is Slavery

Taxes are bad, Ignorance is Strength

Yeah, but not as silly as most of Odd-dudes posts. Half-truths are lies, for they obfuscate and not inform. We know intellectually that taxes can and do provide a service, but emotionally (for the Tea Party make that Hysterically) they are hated and as pot holes grow so will the anger.

If odd-dude is so concerned with taxes and fees maybe he ought to get out and run for city council instead of pontificating about Fabian Socialists hiding in his attic. Run on more pot holes for each region of your district odd-dude, and a reduction of police and fire protection too. Help, putting out your neighbors house which is on fire is your personal responsibilty; if it ignites your roof it's your fault, isn't it?

 

[AmericanFirst]

So ravi is the only one who stepped up...

The rightwingloons find comfort in their talking points, no matter how untrue they are.

You lefty libtards are confused again, it is you guys that lie all the time.

 

[Ravi]

Quite simply... all the BS about a 90+% rate is exactly that, BS.... so many things were allowed to be taken off income that the effective rate was around 40% for the highest of the highest earners...

And how does that compare to today's effective rate?

Your real tax rate: 40% - MSN Money

In actuality.. considering the new types of taxes, etc... it's about the same

In your first post you were talking strictly about income tax (not really being 90%). Now you've found a link that includes all taxes, not just income tax.

Didn't answer his question.

 

[Dr.House]

And how does that compare to today's effective rate?

Your real tax rate: 40% - MSN Money

In actuality.. considering the new types of taxes, etc... it's about the same

In your first post you were talking strictly about income tax (not really being 90%). Now you've found a link that includes all taxes, not just income tax.

Didn't answer his question.

You need to re-read his first post...

You are just plain wrong stating he was talking strictly about income tax...

 

[Ravi]

Your real tax rate: 40% - MSN Money

In actuality.. considering the new types of taxes, etc... it's about the same

In your first post you were talking strictly about income tax (not really being 90%). Now you've found a link that includes all taxes, not just income tax.

Didn't answer his question.

You need to re-read his first post...

You are just plain wrong stating he was talking strictly about income tax...

No, you should. The links to the IRS should give you a hint.

 

[Warrior102]

So far, nobody has "stepped up" to answer my point.

There are now a myriad of taxes, fees and costs of compliance that didn't exist 50 years ago....Even though the one federal income rate is lower, there are numerous other avenues used to bore into the wallets of today's taxpayers.

Newspeak from the New Right:

Taxes are bad, War is Peace

Taxes are bad, Freedom is Slavery

Taxes are bad, Ignorance is Strength

Yeah, but not as silly as most of Odd-dudes posts. Half-truths are lies, for they obfuscate and not inform. We know intellectually that taxes can and do provide a service, but emotionally (for the Tea Party make that Hysterically) they are hated and as pot holes grow so will the anger.

If odd-dude is so concerned with taxes and fees maybe he ought to get out and run for city council instead of pontificating about Fabian Socialists hiding in his attic. Run on more pot holes for each region of your district odd-dude, and a reduction of police and fire protection too. Help, putting out your neighbors house which is on fire is your personal responsibilty; if it ignites your roof it's your fault, isn't it?

Plain and simple (dumbed down - just for you)

1. I paid more in income tax in 2011 than you earned.
2. Therefore, you didn't pay as much as I did.
3. Whip out your checkbook.
4. Stroke a check equal to the one I wrote.

Sound fair?

Of course it doesn't stupid.

Why should people who pay a high amount of taxes already - pay more?

Because you can't. Right?

Idiotic.

 

[Oddball]

So far, nobody has "stepped up" to answer my point.

There are now a myriad of taxes, fees and costs of compliance that didn't exist 50 years ago....Even though the one federal income rate is lower, there are numerous other avenues used to bore into the wallets of today's taxpayers.

Newspeak from the New Right:

Taxes are bad, War is Peace

Taxes are bad, Freedom is Slavery

Taxes are bad, Ignorance is Strength

Yeah, but not as silly as most of Odd-dudes posts. Half-truths are lies, for they obfuscate and not inform. We know intellectually that taxes can and do provide a service, but emotionally (for the Tea Party make that Hysterically) they are hated and as pot holes grow so will the anger.

If odd-dude is so concerned with taxes and fees maybe he ought to get out and run for city council instead of pontificating about Fabian Socialists hiding in his attic. Run on more pot holes for each region of your district odd-dude, and a reduction of police and fire protection too. Help, putting out your neighbors house which is on fire is your personal responsibilty; if it ignites your roof it's your fault, isn't it?

And blind party man hack stupidity is still blind party man hack stupidity:

Tax Freedom Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

According to this, the effective tax burden is roughly the same as it was 50 years ago.

Now, I believe you were babbling something about Orwell and newspeak?

 

[Oddball]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I think OddDude's point is at least somewhat valid, but I'm not ready to simply conclude that the overall tax burden is the same or greater without a quantifiable apples to apples comparison.

With pleasure.

What are taxes on things like beer, wine and liquor today, as compared to then?...How about tobacco taxes?

What's the FICA rate compared to then?...Medicare tax?

How about the fuel tax rate and other "fees", like the crap tacked onto airline tickets?

What of the costs of complying with bureaucratic behemoths like FDA, OSHA, ADA, EPA, BATF, and the rest of the federal Alphabet Soup Mafia, which didn't even exist 50 years ago? (OK...Maybe the FDA did, but you get my point)...Do y'all think that the costs of compliance come at no expense to the end consumer?

Anyone?

Beuller?

What about them?

Do they all add up to more than the difference in federal income tax?

Maybe they do, maybe they don't.

According to the link I just posted, viz. so-called "tax freedom day", they do.

 

[MiddleClass]

Former Reagan economist Bruce Bartlett teamed with Bush speech writer David Frum to take a poll
at a rally in DC,.

Article and results here:

The Misinformed Tea Party Movement - Forbes.com

In sum:

1. Most think fed taxes are 3X higher than they actually are.
2. Most don't know fed tax revenue has not been so low since WW2.
3. Most don't know taxes came down under Obama
4. Most don't even know how much they pay in taxes.

 

[Dr.House]

In your first post you were talking strictly about income tax (not really being 90%). Now you've found a link that includes all taxes, not just income tax.

Didn't answer his question.

You need to re-read his first post...

You are just plain wrong stating he was talking strictly about income tax...

No, you should. The links to the IRS should give you a hint.

There was no link in his first post.... Perhaps you are talking about someone else or another post...