5 ms·
This is insane given that the executive branch has been jiggering around with the withholding amounts for the entire year. Yes, you probably paid slightly less
by Patrick_Devine 7y ago
This is insane given that the executive branch has been jiggering around with the withholding amounts for the entire year. Yes, you probably paid slightly less in tax during the year, but unless you were paying attention to your federal withholding, you're probably in for a shock with your federal return.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoThe solution to people’s inability to save is not for the government to hold their money hostage.
- symfoniq 7y agoIndeed. I always aim to get no refund or to owe. There is no good reason to give the government an interest-free loan with your own money.
- jaggederest 7y agoExcept that is literally the solution, witness superannuation plans and social security systems around the world.
- lotsofpulp 7y agoNot a big fan of those either, but at least give access to invest the funds in a savings account or the market. I’d rather we teach some basic finance and civic responsibility in school.
- tax_breaks_ 7y agoGee, you mean "civic responsibility" like not rewarding tax avoidance and tax cheats like the orange buffoon and his ilk? Yeah, we're all in favor. These tax changes have raped the lower and middle classes. Trying to be disingenuous about "civic responsibility" and "basic finance" is pretty shitty.
- purple-again 7y agoWhen you take the standard deduction on your return you are engaging in tax avoidance. When you invent a 3rd child that never existed you are engaging in tax evasion.
- jimmy1 7y agoPlease don't turn HackerNews into /r/politics with your hyperbolic, emotional sentiments, and typical left-wing brainwashed talking points. Respond to the content of the comment, rather than hurling appeals to emotion and name calling.
- paulddraper 7y agoAlso a problem.
- village-idiot 7y agoYou can adjust your tax withholdings to reduce your refund. I personally aim to minimize my bill or refund.
- throw0101a 7y ago> The solution to people’s inability to save is not for the government to hold their money hostage. Meanwhile, in the real world where the left-hand side of the Bell curve exists, and where many people have poor impulse control, that actually is the solution to some people's inability to save. Heck, as a student I worked in a union shop where this was actually baked into the collective agreement because of past experience of people not being able to save. It shouldn't necessarily be mandatory, and there are ways to adjust one's withholding taxes, but it isn't all-bad.
- ip26 7y agoBut wouldn't we all be more free, really, if we just gave everyone enough rope to hang themselves & then locked up the left-hand side of the bell curve in debtor's prison?
- azeotropic 7y agoDoes the left hand side of the bell curve actually owe any federal income tax?
- pnutjam 7y agoFICA is always paid, and hits lower wages harder. You know that money just goes to the general fund.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- lotsofpulp 7y agoThen make it a line item in the budget called basic income or savings something transparent, and give it to everyone.
- jfk13 7y agoIt is, actually. Unless you have figured out some previously-unknown way to successfully educate the entire population to be financially responsible?
- peteradio 7y agoWe do have public education but I suppose its too much to make this sort of thing mandatory.
- DangitBobby 7y agoClearly that's not enough. Asserting that it should be and doing what amounts to punishing people because you don't like the way they are isn't going to help.
- sixothree 7y agoIt is easy to ignore the reality of human nature especially for those who are struggling.
- Patrick_Devine 7y agoDefinitely agree. Like others have commented here, you should be trying to minimize your return as much as possible. The point of the article was that people are waiting for their large refunds and are deferring health care until they get those refunds. My point is that many of those people won't actually be getting a return and won't be able to afford the health care that they need.