Tuesday, 18 April 2006
Due to the 15th falling on a weekend, those that were fortunate enough to live in certain states were granted an extra day to file their taxes this year. The reason? Patriot’s Day – the holiday dedicated to celebrating the beginning of the Revolutionary War; more specifically, the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
The irony in all this is rather amusing considering the Revolutionary War was fought, in part, because of taxes. It’s a shame we have become worse than what we fought so hard to free ourselves from more than 200 years ago. For a little perspective on how bad things have become, check out this tidbit of information found in the comments of a recent Government Bytes post:
IN ADDITION TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX WE ALSO PAY:
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
Capital Gains Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Court Fines (indirect taxes)
Dog License Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax Interest expense (tax on the money)
Inventory tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Local Income Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Septic Permit Tax
Service Charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Taxes (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Toll Booth Taxes
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Toll Bridge Taxes
Toll Tunnel Taxes
Traffic Fines (indirect taxation)
Trailer registration tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
COMMENTS: Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world, had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
I especially like the last part. Perhaps another revolution is due?
I read that here in the UK effectively you have to work until 5 May each year before you start earning any money for yourself. For the period 1 January to 4 May you are working for the government.
Yes, we are still a bit more fortunate over the pond than most in Europe as far as the amount of taxes we pay, but we are struggling mightily to catch up.