Nothing changed for me, aside from a decent pay increase and I actually received more money back than I did last year. Still 27, single, renting (gotta love a big city ), didn't buy a car, etc., etc.
I did take advantage of the basic retirement credits (Roth IRA, etc.) and have some educational loans where I can write the interest off but I also had those things last year as well.
Maybe it's an employer issue for you? They potentially didn't adjust your income tax figures to reflect the newer table? Or your higher take home pay?
There's also a good possibility that the 10% raise you received bumped you in to the next tax bracket.
Plus, a "refund" is all relative. Personally, I'd rather pay taxes than get them back. Why? When you get a significant refund from the government you were essentially loaning them your income so they can make money off of it. Typically people get refunds because they are paying too many taxes. While in some cases credits allow you to get money back, a majority of what I got back was simply paying more income tax than I was expected to. I'd rather have that as cash reserves throughout the year than to get it back in a lump sum.
In terms of your rational (i.e. Obama giving too many taxes back) it's not a bad thing if you understand that throughout the year. The government is essentially allowing you to make some interest off of "their" money in such a scenario. Had you taken that extra money and rolled it in to a 401K or equivalent IRA you actually could have REDUCED your income taxes, while investing more in your personal savings / retirement.
Anyway, I understand why you're frustrated but the government isn't responsible for you or your employer not understanding how the new tax tables may or may not work. Sure, it's frustrating but it's ultimately up to you (or someone you pay) to know what you should and shouldn't be doing when withholding money from your paycheck.
I guess you could blame it on the President but you seem to be in the minority from those I talked to...which would lead me to believe you jumped a tax bracket or had an employer who forgot to adjust your withholding based on you pay increase. Just a guess though.
Quote: No...I have a problem with WHY it was done...and done in an area that most people do not understand.
WSU...I already told you it was done to put more money in the pockets of Americans at a time when this countries economy was teetering on the edge of falling into the next Great Depression.
But you know that...
You are a hardcore radical right wing republican and anything that is done by a Dem President...your gonna find something to beech about...right?
What I don't get about you radical righties...a President who is trying to do things to save this country from falling into the next Great Depression or do something to help Americans who have no healthcare...you don't like it...BUT...a President who starts needless wars that kill our sons and daughters needlessly...that's ok with you...not to mention the trillions of taxpayer dollars spent on those unnecessary wars.
A President who spent "more" taxpayers dollars, "faster" than any President in the history of our country...and...that's ok with you.
But if a President comes up with an idea to help save this country from a possible depression...and Willie doesn't like that.
Willie...I can't help but feel there is more to your radical right wing ranting over anything Obama...
I'm all for less withholding and less of a refund, if in fact that's what's being done. If you want a big check in April, start putting some money away each month starting in May. You'll even earn a bit of interest on it....which you won't if you let the government hang on to it for you. I know damn well I can manage my money better than the government can.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
No, the difference is that the conservatives here had the nads to say what they didn't like about Bush. The Olberlibs will stick up for Obama no matter what BS he serves up.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Quote: No, the difference is that the conservatives here had the nads to say what they didn't like about Bush. The Olberlibs will stick up for Obama no matter what BS he serves up.
I disagree.
Complaints from that crowd were very meek and limited, and often wouldn't come up unless pressed. 'I don't like the way he spends, either, but here's my defense of him...' ... 'I don't like his immigration policy, but here's my defense of him...'
I don't see a difference in the current situation ... in several facets.
I see Bush and Obama as virtually the same president. I see those who defend Bush and Obama as the same blind sheep, parroting the same talking points that were handed to them from above.
I said often during the election proceedings that it would be interesting to see when Obama wins how the tables would turn -- the same folks who scoffed at the 'whining' and 'outrage' from those who 'just hated everything Bush does' were going to become everything they've argued against for eight years.
And, viola ... look around.
In a better society, we'd look at these two clowns and rip them to shreds. Unfortunately, we've all been indoctrinated into a system where Bush and Obama seems like polar opposites, different ideologies, different agendas, etc. People find themselves willing to defend one and bash the other, despite the fact that thus far they've been virtually identical as presidents.
I see no difference between the two, and I see very little different between the camps who support them.
Quote: No, the difference is that the conservatives here had the nads to say what they didn't like about Bush. The Olberlibs will stick up for Obama no matter what BS he serves up.
I disagree.
Complaints from that crowd were very meek and limited, and often wouldn't come up unless pressed. 'I don't like the way he spends, either, but here's my defense of him...' ... 'I don't like his immigration policy, but here's my defense of him...'
You just contradicted yourself. If we disagreed with his stance on immigration or his out of control spending, it doesn't make the argument "meek or limited" if we defended him in other areas. We openly said what we didn't like about Bush or his policies, as well as how damaging they could be. None of these Olberlibs will do that. I do believe that toeing the party line despite the damage they're causing does make one a blind sheep.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Me: "well...yes you did...but instead of getting a refund, you got more money in each check"
Them: "So...I was expecting that refund."
That is a big problem with America.. People expect to see tax refunds every year, even though by getting a refund they are screwing themselves. They rely on their tax refund to spend it on things every year instead of withholding less and having that money to spend year round or actually better saving it and letting it earn more money.
And it gets worse when they see their tax refund twindle, they start thinking that gov't is raising taxes but it is that they are just withholding less either due them earning less to begin with or just the way things are structured..
For those who were hedging their vacations and new appliances on this year's refund should have realized that they should have saved the money that wasn't going towards taxes throughout the year, so come this year they could have spent it on such things. It's not like you cannot see the amount on each paycheck. Of course, a lot of people are just shortsighted, whether it be Obama or the taxpayers themselves.
"Don't be burdened by regrets or make your failures an obsession or become embittered or possessed by ruined hopes"
I haven't seen a tax "refund" (do people know - at least working people) that a tax refund means you paid too much in????????
Yes, probably millions of people get back thousands more than they paid - but I'm talking to those people that actually earn an income and PAY in taxes...........aren't many people left, I know.
It will only get worse, right up to the point the Chinese say "no more buying your debt - we're done".
Then watch the dollar drop. $3.50 for a gallon of milk today? It will become $35.00 before you know it.
Our dollar is worth nothing - it has nothing to back it up other than the good faith of our gov't. When China quits buying our debt - Katie bar the door. We're screwed. And it will happen - sooner rather than later. China has now admitted that their economy dove in 2008. And coming from china, that's a huge admission........as far as I know, they have not released numbers for 2009 - if I'm wrong, my apologies.
Quote: I haven't seen a tax "refund" (do people know - at least working people) that a tax refund means you paid too much in????????
Yes, probably millions of people get back thousands more than they paid - but I'm talking to those people that actually earn an income and PAY in taxes...........aren't many people left, I know.
Every single year.. but I structure it that way. Yes, it is a tax-free loan to the Gov't that I get back later... but it beats the snot of having the math the other way and having to pay each spring.
Quote: It will only get worse, right up to the point the Chinese say "no more buying your debt - we're done".
I actually wonder how much/little truth is in that. Our economies are directly tied to each other on more than one level. They tend to be one of the bigger purchasers of our debt, but at the same time their economy is almost entirely dependent upon our purchasing power and the oodles that they earn from our Trade Deficits with them. It's all kinda a big circle. They make the products, and then lend us the money to buy them... and all of that purchasing keeps money flowing in our own economy.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Quote: You just contradicted yourself. If we disagreed with his stance on immigration or his out of control spending, it doesn't make the argument "meek or limited" if we defended him in other areas. We openly said what we didn't like about Bush or his policies, as well as how damaging they could be.
Nobody complained heavily about the expense of the wars, or bloated health care plan he slid through, or the relief money he threw heavily at Africa.
You and I both know that Obama gets hammered by 'the right' for things they said nothing about when Bush did it, and you know damn well that right now 'the left' is letting Obama get away will all sorts of things they screamed bloody murder about when Bush did them.
Quote: None of these Olberlibs will do that. I do believe that toeing the party line despite the damage they're causing does make one a blind sheep.
I think they do as much as Bush supporters did ... which is barely.
They'll say things like 'I don't like that he's giving all this money to banks, but here's why I'm defending him...' or 'I don't like that he hasn't kept campaign promise A-Z, but...'
It's meek and limited, and it's that way because minds were made up before the game started...and to be honest, I think it's gotten to the point where people like someone because the people they don't like hate them ... I know a lot of people who support Obama and the guy does nothing to show that they should ... but 'the right' hates him, so he merits defense.
Quote: I haven't seen a tax "refund" (do people know - at least working people) that a tax refund means you paid too much in????????
Yes, probably millions of people get back thousands more than they paid - but I'm talking to those people that actually earn an income and PAY in taxes...........aren't many people left, I know.
Every single year.. but I structure it that way. Yes, it is a tax-free loan to the Gov't that I get back later... but it beats the snot of having the math the other way and having to pay each spring.
Quote: It will only get worse, right up to the point the Chinese say "no more buying your debt - we're done".
I actually wonder how much/little truth is in that. Our economies are directly tied to each other on more than one level. They tend to be one of the bigger purchasers of our debt, but at the same time their economy is almost entirely dependent upon our purchasing power and the oodles that they earn from our Trade Deficits with them. It's all kinda a big circle. They make the products, and then lend us the money to buy them... and all of that purchasing keeps money flowing in our own economy.
First of all, good for you. It seems I can't pay enough quarterly to get a "refund".
Secondly, when China sees that the u.s. can't make its interest payments - look out. Your, or my, money in the bank? It's worth less than a tadpoles crap.
If you don't see that coming, you're looking at things that I can't see. China will quit buying our debt. Their economy is in shambles, in large part due to our economy. Their is no country that can make up the expenditures of the past u.s. economy. Face it, we are a "spend spend spend" economy - we'll pay for it later type.
Later is almost here. You don't need to like it - and hopefully I'm wrong - but, tell me: If you were a millionaire, with people working for you making all kinds of money, and you could lend part of your millions to someone that "should" be able to repay it, but then you find out that they can't repay it........you gonna keep lending?
Quote: Nobody complained heavily about the expense of the wars, or bloated health care plan he slid through, or the relief money he threw heavily at Africa.
Keep going. The fact is that the conservatives did openly disagree with Bush....with emotion and in public.
Quote: They'll say things like 'I don't like that he's giving all this money to banks, but here's why I'm defending him...' or 'I don't like that he hasn't kept campaign promise A-Z, but...'
I've not even seen that.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Yeah, my step-son is somewhat in the same boat, actually he's a worse case scenario.
We're claiming him as a dependent because (a) we're in the higher tax bracket and (b) by doing so he is elidible for a 75% tuition discount from Arizona State University where my wife is a retiree. Thus as a dependent he won't be eligible for the credit. Just got off the phone with him and explained the situation and why he owes so much this year. He didn't complain about owing $400, after learning the circumstances and being reassured that he hadn't miscalculated his tax. I figured he is a losing $400 in credit but the savings we gain in return more than offsets the loss since we'd otherwise would probably be helping him out with college costs. In fact I have no problem splitting our $800 tax credit with him since we're coming out way ahead and frankly the wife and I pretty much have all that we need materially.
Even before letting him know I'd make good his loss credit, more than anything he was concerned thinking he had messed up. I can assure you his attitude never gave me thought that he was in mood to partake in a march on Washington to increase withholding.
The shame I see with these tax cuts is the I.O.U. we are signing his generation's name too.
You are a hardcore radical right wing republican and anything that is done by a Dem President...your gonna find something to beech about...right?
What I don't get about you radical righties
to your radical right wing ranting
What happened to "neo-con"?
ARCHIE...Ron Paul is probably the most honest Republican when it comes to the subject of NEOCONS.
Just a day or so ago, Ron Paul commented that the Neocons have "infiltrated" the tea party movement...Arch, obviously the Neocons are alive and well and you need to look no closer that a leader of the GOP to set you straight...
Here is Ron Paul educating Americans about the Neocons..in his own words!
Archie...do you recognize any of the individuals Paul names in his Neocon Video?
I didn't watch the video. I was mainly concerned that you had forgotten the label "neo -con", since your diatribe was all about "radical righties,", etc.
Quote: I didn't watch the video. I was mainly concerned that you had forgotten the label "neo -con", since your diatribe was all about "radical righties,", etc.
Arch...Keep that head of yours buried, wherever...the sign of a good radical rwer is never face the truth and never be honest especially about your own party.
Ron Paul claims the Neocons are now trying to take over the movement he started, the tea parties...
Ron Paul: ‘Neocon influence’ is infiltrating tea parties
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 -- 10:06 pm
In the face of several electoral challenges from tea party-connected candidates, Texas Republican Congressman Ron Paul cautioned in a recent interview that "neocon influence" is "infiltrating" the movement he is often credited for creating.
Speaking to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Tuesday night, Paul first took up for the tea parties as a natural reaction of the people when they are unhappy with government. What they are not, he explained, are entirely adherent to his ideas. Paul suggested that the group only "sometimes" represents his views.
"My message is somewhat different," he said. "The message gets somewhat diluted" with large movements of this nature.
"Everybody likes to join what looks like a popular movement, then they want to come in and influence that movement," Paul continued.
His core issues, such as creating transparency at the Federal Reserve, recalling overseas soldiers and ending the drug war, are "not what is generally heard from the Republican party," he said.
"Sometimes the tea party accepts these ideas, sometimes they don't."
"Neocon issues in public policy are not exactly dead these days," he explained, seemingly pointing to the Obama administration. "Progressive Democrats aren't really happy with foreign policy. ... That's the infiltration, philosophically, in different positions."
Ultimately, "Our country really is bankrupt and that's what they're unhappy about," Paul concluded.
Paul, whose son Rand is running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, didn't seem to flinch when Maddow asked how he feels about Sarah Palin's recent endorsement of the younger Paul's campaign.
"Probably wouldn't be any different" with most Republicans, he said, emphasizing that he hopes his libertarian-leaning ideas would ultimately influence both parties, not just win over one.
Our government could sure use a few more Ron Paul's. Not that he's perfect, but he at least seems to have some sense in his head, which is more than I can say for most of both parties.
"All I know is, as long as I led the Southeastern Conference in scoring, my grades would be fine." - Charles Barkley
), didn't buy a car, etc., etc. 
![[Linked Image from mypsn.eu.playstation.com]](http://mypsn.eu.playstation.com/psn/profile/Letherface.png)
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](http://i.imgur.com/FUKyw.png)
The fact is that the conservatives did openly disagree with Bush....with emotion and in public. 