5d ago

Have you ever cared how much tax you pay?

It's always talked about in the media as if everyone cares, but I don't think I've ever heard a normal person complain.

108 comments

If you get within earshot of a Republican, chances are you'll hear complaints about "damn taxes" within five minutes. So to a certain set of people, definitely everyone they talk to is constantly complaining about taxes.
When I was starting out and making little money, the taxes I paid were definitely cutting into my ability to live. I think instead of "standard deductions" we should have real minimum incomes. If you are under the minimum income for your location, you don't pay taxes.
Now that I am at the end of my career, I think it's stupid that my taxes are not higher. If I could have given young me some of the money I am keeping now, I would have had a much better life overall. I obviously can't do that now, but I can give someone else the same breathing room.
- If you are under the minimum income for your location, you don't pay taxes.
  Then what if you start earning more, suddenly have to pay taxes and end up getting the same or even less than before?
  
  That is not how taxes work. If you earn the minumum income or less, you pay no taxes. If you are above the minimum, you pay taxes on the amount that surpasses the minimum only, so there is no way of getting less if you earn more.
  
  I am perpetually shocked at how many people don't understand marginal tax rates, and I truly think ignorance of them is used to confuse people about how wages work.
  
  Then to add on top of that people believing it's illegal to discuss your wages with other employees. Very little opportunity to be corrected.
  
  I’m downvoting myself for my idiotic early-in-the-morning comment. I do know that. The exemption is 12k in Germany.

108 comments