From Deseret News archives:
November a fine time for tax day?
Before you answer, remember that Tuesday also is tax day, the final day on which you legally can file state and federal returns without an extension.
Some people have suggested moving tax day to November, to more closely coincide with elections. The feeling is that income taxes are kind of like a bad meal. You feel indigestion for a while and have a sour taste in your mouth, but if you don't actually meet the chef for another seven months, you aren't likely to hold it against him. You might even venture back into the same restaurant again.
Maybe a November tax day even would force politicians to do something about a federal tax code that now fills about 60,000 pages. To visualize that, take your favorite reading assignment from your school days something like "Moby Dick" and stack 60 copies on top of each other. Only instead of winding your way through whale hunts, you'd be trying to untangle exemptions, breaks and deductions a cluster dense and mind-numbing enough to make Ahab turn the harpoon on himself.
The result is a lot of people don't think too deeply about taxes. Nearly two-thirds of them hire someone to do their returns, anyway.
It is sobering, however, to reflect on a question asked in a poll by the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan group whose stated goal is to educate Americans on tax and fiscal policies. That question is, what is that maximum percentage of one's income you believe should go to taxes?
According to written remarks on the foundation's Web site by President Scott Hodge, Americans say about 15 percent would be enough. The reality, however, is that almost 33 percent of the nation's combined personal income goes to local, state and federal taxes.
Comments
- Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney 5:35 p.m.
- Gray dances away with dignity 5:17 p.m.
- Parlor games to enliven parties 5:17 p.m.
- Eco-friendly holiday packaging 5:17 p.m.
- Providing care for aging parents 5:17 p.m.
- Balance omega-6 acids 5:17 p.m.
- Share time, talents with others 5:09 p.m.
- Teaching computer use to seniors 4:41 p.m.
- House GOP won't take no-tax pledge 4:39 p.m.
- Park City School District is nut-free 4:38 p.m.
- Wet spot found in Powell's home
- Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
- Y. opponent nearly smelled roses
- D-Will treats military families to party
- MWC looks better in basketball
- Maynor amazed by L.A. fans
- Pace happy not to be noticed
- High school football: All-region teams
- Jazz Extra: Starting 5
- Fun, easy gifts for the neighbors
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
178 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
151 - Gay-friendly curriculum phased out
140 - LDS to emphasize helping needy
125 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110 - Unga might enter NFL draft
106 - BYU to wear royal blue uniforms
100 - Disappearance called 'suspicious'
96 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
95 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
84
First of all, to "20/20," how can you read newspapers and not understand...
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Korver is more than just a 3 point shooter. If you are playing the Jazz with...
Look to see who is on the floor at the END of the next three games. Tonight...
I think this was such a great program to implement in this community at...
Not the best intro. Please stop with the Max Hall stuff. He said...
But I had to click on the LDS Newsline tab before this story came up. I...
re: Bubble 2010, here we come! | 3:21 p.m. Dec. 14, 2009 Like one expert...
I don't think it was premeditated. Prolly got into an argument and something...
Just who have you fought to protect so far?
It is for people who do things like this that we NEED the death penalty in...
You sound like a very disgruntled BYU fan who is jealous of BSU's success and...


You can be the first to comment on this story.