Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taxes. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes?

Who Pays the Highest Property Taxes?

The average median property tax rate across the nation is 1.31 percent. That means a home owner with a home valued at $200,000, on average, pays an annual amount of $2,620 in property taxes, according to an analysis by CoreLogic’s data team.
Illinois has the highest median property tax rate at 2.67 percent. Hawaii, on the other hand, has the lowest at 0.31 percent.
“While higher median tax rates are seen primarily among states in the northeast, a notable exception is Texas, which has a median property tax rate of 2.17 percent,” CoreLogic reports. “Typically, the states with the highest property tax rates, with the exception of Illinois, have multiple levels of tax collection. Conversely, the majority of states with low median tax rates have a single level of collection at the county level. Other than Hawaii, the lowest median property tax rates are primarily in the Rocky Mountain region and southeastern states.”
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TAXES:

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 Income 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 Taxes
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.

What the heck happened?
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Comptroller Franchot Halts Returns from Baltimore Businesses amid Pattern of Questionable Filings

Comptroller Franchot Halts Returns from Baltimore Businesses amid Pattern of Questionable Filings

-Effective Immediately Pending Investigation of Several Liberty Tax Franchises-

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (January 27, 2016) – Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his office would suspend processing electronic tax returns from several Liberty Tax Service franchise locations in the Baltimore metropolitan area due to a high volume of questionable returns received.

The businesses, which have been sent written notice of the action, are located at: 2400 E Monument St., Baltimore; 7730 Wise Ave., Dundalk; 1742 W North Ave., Baltimore; 2401 Liberty Heights Ave., Baltimore; 1808 Pennsylvania Ave., Baltimore; 3308 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore; and 503 W Lexington St., Baltimore.

Comptroller Franchot, pursuant to the recently signed IRS Security Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU"), has shared this information with other tax agencies. The Comptroller’s Office also has advised the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation of the decision, so that they can take any additional appropriate actions.

The suspicious characteristics detected on the tax returns prompting the determination included:

*Business income reported when taxpayers did not own a business.

*Refund amounts requested much higher than previous year tax returns.

*Inflated and/or undocumented business expenses.

*Dependents claimed when taxpayer did not provide required 50 percent support or care.

*Inflated wages and withholding information.


Taxpayers should carefully review their returns for these issues and should be suspicious if a preparer: deducts fees from the taxpayer’s refund to be deposited into the tax preparer’s account; does not sign the tax return; or fails to include the Preparer Taxpayer Identification number "P-TIN" on the return. If taxpayers suspect fraud, they are asked to immediately report the issue to the Comptroller's Office by calling 1-800-MD-TAXES (1-800-638-2937) or 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or by emailing TAXHELP@comp.state.md.us.
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Monday, September 28, 2015

MarylandReporter.com Sept. 2, 2015: IRS data again shows taxpayers leaving Maryland

Over the past weekend, I was reminded of a piece written in MarylandReporter.com on September 2, 2015. 

Long disputed as a political talking point, many of us who are older Marylanders have too many friends who have left the state once they retired because of Maryland's tax policies - especially because Maryland taxes pensions.

MartlandReporter.com: IRS data again shows taxpayers leaving Maryland


Recently released data from the IRS shows that about 5,500 more taxpayers left Maryland in 2012 than moved to the state. Long-cited by tax critics as annual data that show the migration of taxpayers to lower-taxed states, some experts caution that not too much should be read into year-to-year changes....

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

A record 3,415 Americans ditch their passports - Feb. 12, 2015

A record 3,415 Americans ditch their passports - Feb. 12, 2015:

"Goodbye, sayonara, ciao, Uncle Sam!

The number of Americans choosing to give up their passports hit a record 3,415 last year, up 14% from 2013, and 15 times more than in 2008, when only 231 people renounced their citizenship.

Experts say the recent surge is coming from expats who no longer want to deal with complicated tax paperwork, a burden that has only gotten worse in recent years.

Unlike most countries, the U.S. taxes all citizens on income, no matter where it is earned or where they live. The mountain of paperwork can be so complicated that expats are often forced to fork over high fees to hire an accountant -- some say they pay as much as $1,000.

Related: Giving up your U.S. passport? It's going to cost you" Read more:

http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/12/pf/americans-expat-citizenship-passports/index.html?iid=EL

'via Blog this'
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Monday, March 09, 2015

Commissioners oppose state tax breaks for military, first responders, elderly

Commissioners oppose state tax breaks for military, first responders, elderly

Commissioners oppose state tax breaks for military, first
responders, elderly
Board says cuts would hurt Carroll's revenue stream

Wiley Hayes, Times Staff Writer March 7, 2015


The Carroll County Board of Commissioners is unified in
opposition to several proposed tax cuts in the General Assembly that would
affect the retirement incomes of military personnel, first responders, the
elderly, the disabled and property taxes for small business.

Commissioner Richard Rothschild, R-District 4, said there
are three reasons why the board is against the bills.

Concerning the bills that would only affect the military and
law enforcement, the commissioners oppose any tax cut that favors government
employees over the private sector, Rothschild said.

The commissioners also believe the cuts should be introduced
incrementally to lessen the impact they would have on Carroll's revenue stream.



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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Maryland ranked one of the ten worst states for retirement in the universe


Maryland ranked one of the ten worst states for retirement in the universe

10 worst states for retirement By Chris Kahn • Bankrate.com

Not dated – Retrieved February 10, 2015

Retirement » 10 Worst States For Retirement

Follow us: @Bankrate on Twitter | Bankrate on Facebook


It's hard to be flexible on a fixed income. That's why some of America's prettiest, most vibrant locations are also some of the toughest on retirees.

They're usually more expensive, for example, with higher rents and more expensive restaurants. Tax rates also tend to be higher in urban areas. They also may not be as safe.

With that in mind, Bankrate ranked each state based on a variety of factors that everyone should consider before making a move into -- or out of -- their home state. They include a specialized cost-of-living index for retirees, crime statistics, tax rates and comprehensive weather data that factor in sunshine and humidity. Also new this year: Bankrate beefed up its ranking for health care quality, and consulted an extensive survey called the Gallup-Healthways' Well-Being Index. The index gauges the level of satisfaction residents report about their surroundings.

The states that fell to the bottom of our list still have a lot to offer. In fact, many are home to the top tourism destinations in the world. The problem, in the end, is that choosing a good place to retire isn't as easy as picking a vacation spot. Costs matter more. The local culture and infrastructure also matter.

Here, in descending order, are 10 of the lowest-ranking states for retirees based on our criteria.


[…]



The primary knock on Maryland is that it's more expensive to live there than in many other states. The cost of living for retirees is especially high, and residents pay one of the highest tax rates in the country.

Monday, March 31, 2014

News from The Hill Caterpillar avoided $2.4B in taxes, charges Sen. Levin By Peter Schroeder

News from The Hill

Caterpillar avoided $2.4B in taxes, charges Sen. Levin By Peter Schroeder

Caterpillar avoided $2.4 billion in taxes thanks to a reorganization that housed its most profitable business in Switzerland, according to a Senate report.

While the report, from the Senate Permanent subcommittee on Investigations, said Caterpillar had done nothing illegal, it criticized the manufacturing giant for trying to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

“Caterpillar is an American success story that produces tremendous industrial machines,” Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the head of the investigatory panel, said Monday. “But it’s also a member of the corporate profit-shifting club that has shifted billions of dollars in profits offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes."


Read the story here.
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Saturday, March 22, 2014

News from The Hill: Wall Street’s warning shot to Ryan - By Peter Schroeder and Bernie Becker

News from The Hill: Wall Street’s warning shot to Ryan - By Peter Schroeder and Bernie Becker

The banking industry's vigorous pushback against Rep. Dave Camp's tax reform plan is a warning shot for his likely successor, Rep. Paul Ryan.

Like most industries, Wall Street isn’t worried that Camp’s (R-Mich.) plan could move through Congress in an election year. Plus, Camp is scheduled to be in his last year with the gavel of the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

But the financial industry fears that Camp’s proposal to tax the nation’s biggest banks could someday make a comeback when lawmakers seek revenue generators for legislation.

Read the story here.

March 22, 2014: The Hill's E-news
The Hill: Why not run? The pluses and pitfalls for 2016 GOP hopefuls
By Alexandra Jaffe
Many Republicans with an eye on the White House in 2016 may be asking themselves “Why not run?” when pondering a presidential bid.
The Hill: Leveling the playing field Obama's way
By Mike Lillis
President Obama intensified pressure on Congress to bolster economic opportunities for women in his much touted "year of action."
The Hill: GOP governors leading economic comeback?
By Rebecca Shabad
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) touted the economic successes Republican governors have achieved in their states during the party’s weekly address Saturday.
The Hill: Marco Rubio's Reagan moment?
By Cameron Joseph
If the Cold War is back, Marco Rubio wants to be Ronald Reagan.
The Hill: House to consider Ryan budget in April
By Russell Berman
House Republicans in April will consider a budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) that sticks to a bipartisan spending level for 2015 but balances within a decade, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) told lawmakers on Friday.
The Hill: Obama signs flood insurance bill
By Erik Wasson
President Obama on Friday signed a bill that rolls back flood insurance rate increases on coastal properties called for in a 2012 reform of the trouble National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The Hill: Michigan gay marriage ban overturned
By Rebecca Shabad
A federal judge on Friday struck down Michigan’s 2004 ban on same-sex marriage.
The Hill: House offers new Ukraine bill
By Erik Wasson
House lawmakers on Friday introduced a new Ukraine aid and Russia sanctions bill that does not contain controversial International Monetary Fund (IMF) reforms opposed by GOP leaders.
The Hill: ObamaCare drug savings touted
By Elise Viebeck
The Obama administration is out with new numbers touting consumer savings under the healthcare law, a move that will help boost Democrats' effort to go on offense on ObamaCare.
The Hill: GOP wishes Dems an unhappy O-Care anniversary
By Cameron Joseph
Republicans are wishing Democrats an unhappy fourth anniversary on ObamaCare.
The Hill: ‘Hip-hop’ caucus tries to excite blacks
By Tim Devaney
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are trying to get young African-Americans excited about fighting climate change.
The Hill: Obama's move to relieve snooping fears
By Justin Sink
President Obama and senior administration officials huddled with top technology executives Friday to discuss progress on the president's proposed reforms to electronic government surveillance program, amid growing concerns voiced by some of Silicon Valley's biggest names over government surveillance.
The Hill: Sen. Feinstein 'open to changes' on NSA spying
By Kate Tummarello
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said Friday she will consider forthcoming recommendations to change the National Security Agency's (NSA) controversial phone surveillance program.
Bloomberg: Caterpillar said to be focus of Senate overseas tax probe
By Richard Rubin and Jesse Drucker
A U.S. Senate investigative panel is examining Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and whether the company improperly avoided U.S. taxes by moving profits outside the country, said three people familiar with the inquiry.
Reuters: Rhode Island House speaker's home, office searched in federal probe
By Fausto Giovanny Pinto
U.S. federal law-enforcement officials searched the office and home of the speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Gordon Fox, on Friday, according to his spokesman.
*****

Monday, March 10, 2014

Taxing Marylanders until they flee - By Ellen Sauerbrey and Dee Hodges Friday, March 7, 2014

SAUERBREY: Taxing Marylanders until they flee

Squeezing high earners to fill state coffers has opposite effect

By Ellen Sauerbrey and Dee Hodges Friday, March 7, 2014


Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

Maryland, one of the bluest of blue states, is the poster child demonstrating that taxing the rich fails to balance the state budget.

Yet Democrats, who have complete monopoly control on all branches of state government, continue to think that doing the same thing over and over will lead to a different result.

Because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in America. Still, it is plagued by fiscal woes. In a vain attempt to eliminate Maryland’s structural deficit, the administration of Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has raised taxes, tolls and fees more than 80 times since 2007, while increasing overall government spending by $9.6 billion, or 32 percent, over the same period.

This oppressive tax-and-spend climate is hurting Maryland’s families and forcing many of them to leave the state.

Wealthy and middle-class citizens have been fleeing Maryland, thus denying the state the ability to tax any of their income. Small businesses are moving their jobs to friendlier states.

Between 2000 and 2010, 66,000 people left the state, taking $5.5 billion with them. Maryland has also lost at least 6,500 small businesses.


*****

Monday, September 30, 2013

Blair Lee: Why Baltimore is not Detroit

Why Baltimore is not Detroit


There was considerable rejoicing in Baltimore city this week when George Mason University released a study saying that, compared to Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Providence and San Bernardino, Baltimore is on “reasonably solid financial footing” and is demonstrating “financial resiliency.”

Of course those other five cities are all basket cases (two are in bankruptcy), so being best of the lot isn’t so hot.

The Baltimore Sun highlighted the parts of the report crediting Baltimore’s success to sound city management provided by a strong-mayor system which lets the city’s Board of Estimates (controlled by the mayor) write the city budget and run the city’s finances without interference from the City Council, which can only lower the spending levels, not increase them.


But if you actually read the George Mason report it tells a much different story. What’s really keeping Baltimore afloat isn’t its mayor or its charter, it’s the billions of dollars the state of Maryland pours into the city every year… http://www.gazette.net/article/20130927/OPINION/130929269/-1/why-baltimore-is-not-detroit&template=gazette
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Monday, August 26, 2013

Tax liability sacks the NFL's top players | The Daily Caller

Tax liability sacks the NFL's top players | The Daily Caller:

Matt Blumenfeld, Freelance Writer

http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/26/tax-liability-sacks-the-nfls-top-players/

"With the NFL’s regular season set to begin next week, players around the league anxiously await the arrival of their first big game check of the season. For many rookies, who collect signing bonuses well before the season begins, their first check signifies what they hope to be a profitable and prosperous career on and off the field. This season’s NFL rookies, however, will be shocked to find out that the earnings for their first few games might as well be handed over to tax collectors – a fact of which veteran players are all too aware." ... http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/26/tax-liability-sacks-the-nfls-top-players/

'via Blog this'

*****

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Got my #CarrollCo #MD property #tax in mail yesterday #Unbelievable


Got my #CarrollCo #MD property #tax in mail yesterday #Unbelievable It took my breath away When are all the taxes going 2 get under control?


December 1, 2009




I did this piece in September 1994.  The more things change the more they stay the same.  At some point, the entire manner in which local government in Maryland is funded needs to be changed so that all our tax revenue does not get lost in a black hole in Annapolis and gets re-directed to the government that is closest to the citizens.
*****

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Chesapeake Bay Foundation explains Maryland ‘Rain Tax’; basically property owners are being taxed to clean up companies landfills.


If you live in Maryland, get ready to pay for rain.
Lawmakers passed an “Impervious Surfaces” tax – also being called the “Rain Tax.”
Basically, you’ll be charged for any surface of land you own that does not absorb rainwater.
The ultimate goal is to reduce storm-water runoff and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
How much you’ll pay depends on where you live – as each county will determine its own fee.
*****

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Republican Study Committee: RSC Update Tax Day & Obama's Budget



April 15, 2013
 The Republican Study Committee: RSC Update Tax Day & Obama's Budget

From the Chairman
Jennifer and I offer our prayers to those impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing today. Trying times test our resolve as Americans.  There is no place in our free society for such an act of violence, and we will not waver in our commitment to liberty and justice.  Those responsible for this horrific attack will be held accountable.

Tax Day

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the federal income tax.  Since its inception in 1913, the income tax has continued to grow in scope and complexity.  A century later, hardworking American taxpayers will send the federal government $2.7 trillion this year alone.

While Americans across the country file their returns and open their checkbooks to pay their taxes today, the President and his liberal lieutenants in the Senate continue to call for another trillion dollars in higher job-killing taxes over the next ten years. It's hard for President Obama to make the case that you don't pay enough in taxes when this year's $2.7 trillion marks the all-time record for the most money the federal government has ever taken in!  Even after adjusting for inflation, this year’s revenue has only been eclipsed four times in our nation’s history. Washington clearly has a serious spending problem, and you can only solve it by controlling Washington spending rather than President Obama's scheme to have the IRS take more of your hard-earned money through even higher taxes.

Obama Finally Presents Budget

Last week the President sent Congress a budget, that includes over $1 trillion in new taxes, over $8 trillion in new debt, and yet NEVER balances.

While our national debt is approaching $17 trillion, our President and his liberal lieutenants continue to ask for additional taxes so they can keep spending more and living beyond their means.  The President got the higher taxes he wanted in the "fiscal cliff" deal, but yet he still refuses to agree to any spending cuts.  More wasteful Washington spending, radical regulations, and costly duplication are not what the American people want or deserve, and that failed agenda is still holding the American economy back. 

The Obama administration refuses to take common-sense steps to rein in Washington spending, while continuing to grow failed welfare programs that jeopardize the future of our country.  Republicans have passed a plan that would balance our nation's budget in ten years by growing the economy with no tax increases, while the President’s budget raises taxes, increases radical regulations, and never achieves balance. This is truly a choice of two completely different directions for our country.

Increased spending and continually high unemployment numbers should not be accepted as the "new normal”.  It is time to for the President to abandon his failed tax, regulate, and spend agenda and finally start working with us to grow the economy, control spending, and balance the federal budget.

God Bless,
Steve Scalise

RSC Member Activity
  • Rep. Scott Perry (PA-04) is building support for H.J. Res. 36, which balance our nation’s budget by implementing many parts of a system known as zero-based budgeting.
  • Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14) is building support on a letter to leadership requesting an open appropriations process.
  • Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08) and Rep. Ed Royce are building support for the Bipartisan Victim’s Rights Amendment (VRA), which provides public proceedings to crime victims.
  • Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-03) is building support for the TRUST Act, eliminates the taxpayer-funded portion of congressional pensions for Members who have been convicted of a felony.
  • Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) is building support for the EASY Saving Act, which would incentivize savings by allowing agencies to create an employee suggestion program to include rewards for identifying unused or unnecessary funds.
  • Rep. Phil Roe (TN-01) is building support for an appropriations letter to defund IPAB.
  • Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) is building support for H.R. 1209, which would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Doolittle Tokyo Radiers.
  • Rep. Bill Flores (FL-17) is building support on a letter to support abstinence education.
  • Rep. Tom Graves (GA-14) is building support for a bipartisan Agriculture/EPA regulations bill.
  • Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07) is building support for H.R. 1304, the Flexibility to Farm Act, which would entrust states with the appropriate flexibility to craft environmental policies as they relate to farmers.
  • Rep. Bill Cassidy (LA-06) is building support for the EGO Act, which would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund official portraits for Members of Congress or federal administration officials.
  • Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04) talks about the power of the free-market in his Huffington Post Op-Ed.
  • Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-06) sent a bipartisan letter he co-authored to Secretary Kerry and Secretary Lew expressing concern with Turkey’s support for Hamas, Turkey’s state-owned Halkbank’s transactions with Iran, and the recent influx of Iranian-funded companies within Turkey.
  • Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) introduced the Balance Budget Amendment, which would restrict outlays to revenue, allowing Congress to spend no more than it takes in each year.
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
House Republican Study Committee
2338 Rayburn House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 226-9717
Fax: (202) 226-1633
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