Income tax in the US

Discussion in 'General Business' started by davejug1, Dec 10, 2008.

  1. #1
    To all my DP friends over the pond :

    I'm earning good money in the UK but due to an over-zealous government, I'm shelling out 41% of my income in taxes which really hinders my online endeavors.

    I believe that in the US, each individual state sets the income tax rate. How do they compare? Does the US system hit you as hard as ours?
     
    davejug1, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  2. norfstar

    norfstar Peon

    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    62
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    I'm not from the US, but I'm in a similar situation to that which you've described an am also seeking to reduce the massive tax burden associated with being based in the UK. One place you may want to look into is the Channel Islands: If I understand the setup correctly, companies and individuals in the Channel Islands do not pay any tax on foreign income and gains.
     
    norfstar, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  3. davejug1

    davejug1 Banned

    Messages:
    374
    Likes Received:
    17
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    A little close to France for my liking :eek:

    Yeah I was thinking of the weather also, and the language. For me it would need to be either the US or Aussieland. I'm not quite at the Monte Carlo stage yet :p I think the Isle of Mann is the same as the Channel Isles though, or very similar.
     
    davejug1, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  4. thehustler

    thehustler Active Member

    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    #4
    No in the U.S. income tax is federal and 41 percent is close to what I pay for a little over a hundred thousand a year. You are taxed in the u.s. for everything thing. city state federal, I figure over fifty percent of my money is in taxes.
     
    thehustler, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  5. davejug1

    davejug1 Banned

    Messages:
    374
    Likes Received:
    17
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    Yeah it's about the same in the UK when they slap 15% VAT on everything you purchase.
     
    davejug1, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  6. norfstar

    norfstar Peon

    Messages:
    1,154
    Likes Received:
    62
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #6
    Then with what little you have left after all of that, they take 40% for the pleasure of dying.
     
    norfstar, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  7. davejug1

    davejug1 Banned

    Messages:
    374
    Likes Received:
    17
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    And by that time, you are so disillusioned you are happy to accept it for the sweet feeling of escape hehehe
     
    davejug1, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  8. Colbyt

    Colbyt Notable Member

    Messages:
    3,224
    Likes Received:
    185
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    210
    #8
    Allow me to expand on what thehustler said.

    In the US you deal with taxes on income at 3 levels; federal, state and local. All the ones I have seen are based on net income, not a value added (VAT) type of tax though many states do have a sales tax which is like the VAT.

    Federal tax rates are progressive by nature. The more you make the higher the % you pay. You start with Gross income (net profit if from a business) and subtract an allowance for each member of your family plus any itemized deductions you may be entitled to like home mortgage expense or other taxes paid. Most people without a mortgage just use a standard amount per person.

    This gets you to net income which is then taxed at a rate of 10-30% based on your income level.

    But don't forget Fica and mediscare which will take 15.65% of your net non-farm earnings for your retirement package. Yeh Right.

    So the real federal tax rate is 25.65-45.65% because they put all the money in the same p*** pot.

    Now the states. This varies a lot from state to state. Kentucky will take 6% of your Federal adjusted gross income (after the deductions) for the state income tax.

    Not done yet.Then the local leeches come for their share of the blood. The really progressive cities like Lexington have a 2.25% net profits fee with a $100 minimum and a school tax of .50%.

    But Wait. There is one more Special offer. Bend Over.
    Then if you have any money left to spend almost all goods are taxed at the rate of 6% of selling price. And those blood thirsty leechs in Frankfort are considering extending the sales tax to services.


    About now 41% may look reasonable to you.

    Sorry. You caught be on a bad day. I just got the bill for for the extra $100 and a damn form to fill out.
     
    Colbyt, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  9. davejug1

    davejug1 Banned

    Messages:
    374
    Likes Received:
    17
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    Well that certainly sucks
     
    davejug1, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  10. thehustler

    thehustler Active Member

    Messages:
    139
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    #10
    Lmfao I thought I was being sarcastic lol, Yes we are taxed on anything in what one would call a free county. Sort of makes you want to be under a dictator to an extent lol.

     
    thehustler, Dec 10, 2008 IP
  11. internetauthor

    internetauthor Peon

    Messages:
    850
    Likes Received:
    76
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    Some states don't have a state income tax for individuals...until they form a business (corporation or LLC).

    I now get to pay federal income tax for the corp and myself as well as state taxes for the business including my favorite: the unemployment tax. I must pay my state (Texas) a tax to cover unemployment benefits should I fire myself or my husband from the corporation. (I'll admit I've considered firing him. *wink*)

    Oh! And allegedly since our corporation doesn't provide health care benefits to its employees, I might get to pay into a federal pool for that as well. Good times....
     
    internetauthor, Dec 11, 2008 IP
  12. Wednesday.

    Wednesday. Peon

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #12
    I was wondering about this as well. I live here in the U.S. and pay my taxes with my day job, but when it came to the question of how the taxing would work with internet marketing, I hadn't a clue where to start. Are there any special IRS forms or procedures? Should I expect to owe a lot of money to the IRS at the end of the year?
     
    Wednesday., Dec 11, 2008 IP
  13. Colbyt

    Colbyt Notable Member

    Messages:
    3,224
    Likes Received:
    185
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    210
    #13

    Keep good records of income and expenses. Then is is just 2 extra pages attached to your federal return. A schedule C for income and expenses and an SE for the fica money if you net more than $400.
     
    Colbyt, Dec 11, 2008 IP
  14. QiSoftware

    QiSoftware Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    805
    Likes Received:
    10
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    158
    #14
    QiSoftware, Dec 11, 2008 IP
  15. Pixelrage

    Pixelrage Peon

    Messages:
    5,083
    Likes Received:
    128
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #15
    41% sounds nice, wish we had that in the US :(
     
    Pixelrage, Dec 11, 2008 IP
  16. kder86

    kder86 Peon

    Messages:
    291
    Likes Received:
    7
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    You actually have to pay estimated quaterly taxes to the IRS and depending on where you live, your state too if you expect to owe a certain amount of taxes for the entire year. I believe the amount is $1,000 for federal.

    You can read more about estimated taxes here: http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/estimated_tax/small-biz-article
     
    kder86, Dec 11, 2008 IP