It’s Tax Time… For SUCKERS!
Ahh, tax season! It’s a time of some ambivalence, for as Arthur Godfrey said, “I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money.” Taxes are a painful reality, and the only thing that makes it bearable is the society we get in return. Yes, if it weren’t for the fact that our hard-earned money was intelligently collected and wisely invested by sober and rational people in an ongoing effort to improve the standard of living on behalf of all of us, taxes would be frustrating. If fact, if the truth was far from the ideal, it might be enough to make a taxpayer… well… furious.
How far is the truth from the ideal? Since the name of this column is “News To Make You Furious” we’re glad you asked! Just in time for tax season we bring you a look at exactly where your tax dollars come from, where they go, and where they should go. And if by any chance you’re Furious when you’re done reading, we also include a couple links to help make a difference.
The best, most comprehensive, most objective analysis of Federal spending we could find anywhere was from the National Priorities Project. They have all the nitty-gritty pie charts and geekery to tell you exactly where your money is going. There’s far too much information to give you here, but if you want to know what’s really going on then this is the place to start…
National Priorities Project
Federal Spending: Where Does the Money Go
(from their website) In fiscal year 2015, the federal government is projected to spend around $3.9 trillion. These trillions of dollars make up a considerable chunk – around 21 percent – of the U.S. economy, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). That means that federal government spending makes up a sizable share of all money spent in the United States each year. So, where does all that money go?
Are facts not enough to get you Furious by themselves? Then here’s a closer look at what those facts mean…
Burning Our Bridges: Failing Infrastructure in the Age of Corporate Tax-Dodging
Sarah Anderson and Scott Klinger on CommonDreams, April, 2015- President Obama and some members of Congress think the easiest way to fund infrastructure is by granting corporations a large tax cut on their untaxed offshore profits.
Positively Un-American Tax Dodges
Allan Sloan in Fortune, July, 2014- Bigtime companies are moving their “headquarters” overseas to dodge billions in taxes … that means the rest of us pay their share.
The Misconceptions About Where Our Tax Dollars Go
Chad Stone in Economic Intelligence, April, 2012- With tax day fast approaching, it’s worth remembering why we collect taxes. It’s to pay for things we want government to do. Americans don’t like government spending in the abstract; a Gallup poll shows that they think about half of all federal spending and over 40 percent of state spending is wasted. When it comes to specifics, however, most Americans oppose cuts in Social Security, Medicare, defense, education, and antipoverty programs while favoring cuts in foreign aid. These poll results show not only how schizophrenic Americans are about government spending, but also how little they know about where their taxes go. Those facts are laid out in two “policy basics” documents from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, one on where federal taxes go and one on where state taxes go…
…and here are those groups we promised if you want to get involved…
Americans for Tax Fairness (Group)
Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) is a diverse campaign of national, state and local organizations united in support of a tax system that works for all Americans. It has come together based on the belief that the country needs comprehensive, progressive tax reform that results in greater revenue to meet our growing needs. This requires big corporations and the wealthy to pay their fair share in taxes, not to live by their own set of rules.
United for a Fair Economy (Group)
A project of United for a Fair Economy and a partner of Responsible Wealth, the Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative (TFOC) is a national network of state tax fairness organizations that use grassroots organizing to push for progressive state tax reform. TFOC groups often need business owners and other upper-income individuals to speak out in favor of progressive reforms at the state level. If you would like to support your state group, either financially or by using your voice, contact mlapham@responsiblewealth.org.
Citizens for Tax Justice (Group)
Citizens for Tax Justice, founded in 1979, is a 501(c)(4) public interest research and advocacy organization focusing on federal, state and local tax policies and their impact upon our nation. CTJ’s mission is to give ordinary people a greater voice in the development of tax laws. Against the armies of special interest lobbyists for corporations and the wealthy, CTJ fights for:
Tax fairness for middle and low-income families
Requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share
Closing corporate tax loopholes
Adequately funding important government services
Reducing the federal debt
Taxation that minimizes distortion of economic markets
