Considering all of the people that it helps....shouldn't the annual Tax Free Week End..

[clarice]

be lengthened to 2 weeks?

[JustAnotherGen]

1. What is the tax free week?

[OriginalGeek]

3. We do it here in Florida

A weekend where they charge no sales tax. I think it was intended to be for back-to-school items (clothing, supplies, etc...) but it seems to have been expanded to just about anything remotely related. (Hey I need that BBQ to cook some stuff for my kid to go back to school with a full stomach right?)

More experienced folks may correct me - I haven't had school-aged kids for 10 years so I never pay attention to it. Might be a good weekend to get that big flat-screen TV though...Kids gotta watch PBS right?

[JustAnotherGen]

5. Ahh the back to school tax in NY State

I've lived in NJ for 11 1/2 years - we don't have taxes on clothing and such - ever. I could see where a parent would love this for getting their kids ready for back to school though!

[clarice]

6. Ummmmm nice try. lol

[DrDan]

16. its restricted to school clothing and supplies in Florida - also shortened this year

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/consumer/os-tax-free-holiday-20160802-story.html

[OriginalGeek]

31. You tryna tell me a 65" LED-LCD smart TV ain't a supply?

Harrumph I say!


Do Tommy Bahama shirts count as school clothing then? I think my grandkids need some. XXL. If they don't fit then good ol' Pawpaw will take them.

[WillowTree]

2. What "annual Tax Free Weed End"?

I'm thinking you must be talking about a state-specific thing.

[clarice]

4. Maybe it's only on a State level... but many States participate. nt

[clarice]

11. Tax Free WEED End ???!!! lol

[Statistical]

7. If it helps people why not lengthen it to 52 weeks?

In other words get rid of sales taxes. Sales taxes are horibbly regressive. "Tax Free Weekends" aren't a solution they are a symptom of the problem.

What is crazy is that in most states there is both an income tax AND a sales tax. Take VA for example the income tax maxes out at 5.75% and there is a 6.0% sales tax. Wouldn't it just make more sense to get rid of sales tax complete and have a single income tax of roughly 10% (or whatever the final number becomes based on reported income and sale tax revenue).

[clarice]

14. +1000%.... but try to push that through the DU juries . LOL

[OriginalGeek]

32. I'm not inclined to argue numbers

with a user named "Statistical".

I'll take your word for it!

[Lars39]

8. No! It's "eating your seed corn".

It makes deficits that much worse. Creates a very vicious cycle.

[clarice]

10. Makes deficits WORSE !!!!!!???? How can it be any worse?????

"Eating seed corn?" I'm not sure what that means...but you don't think that relieving people
of the tremendous tax burden (right before school begins) is a tremendous help to lower income families?

Or does the thought of dismissing ANY tax, no matter how helpful, seem loathsome to you?

[Lars39]

12. It means that there is that much less tax money to work with.

A better option would be to tax the f@cking rich and the companies that wind up paying zip or not even close to their fair share. All these tax holidays started when the rich really ratcheted up ducking their tax responsibilities. The tax holidays are a sop to the population so that we don't come after 'em with the pitchforks they deserve.

[clarice]

13. WOW !!!!!! So back to the original question....

I take it that you disagree with a program that helps lower to middle income families save money
on school supplies and clothing.... yes or no? Please try to avoid the standard Tax the f@cking rich bromide.

[Lars39]

18. It is a short term fix that worsens the situation year by year.

It means less money to school districts in the long run. And yes, if the rich paid their share we wouldn't have to have Tax holidays.

[clarice]

19. With all respect... you haven't said yes or no to helping middle...

to low income people with their children's school supplies.

[Lars39]

20. With the rich paying their fair share they would not need help or as much help.

You are looking micro, I'm looking at the systemic reason. We both agree they need help, I'm saying that the Tax holidays would not be needed if there were serious tax reform.

[clarice]

21. LOLOL....It's a very simple question...there's no reason to obfuscate..are you for or

against a 2 week tax break for low to middle income families to be used on clothing and school
supplies? careful examination of the existing tax codes can be discussed at another time.

[clarice]

22. Waiting. nt

[Lars39]

23. Why so combative? We agree that people need help.

[clarice]

24. If I seemed combative... I humbly apologize. No harm intended....

guess i'm still re-living the good old days of debate team. I know that I can come off as abrasive...but... Damn it!!..
I do love a good discussion. Peace and love.

[Lars39]

28. I understand.

I guess I'm not as feisty today as I thought I was. My back's been out of wack lately and today's first day I haven't been in varying degrees of agony.

[clarice]

30. Sooooo Sorry... nothing worse than back pain...feel better soon. nt

[Lars39]

33. Thanks, clarice!

[clarice]

34. Keep me up to date on how you are feeling... I might have to post you one of my stale jokes.

[Lars39]

35. lol, and I might be able to read it.

My eyes have been so crossed from all the meds this past month.

[clarice]

36. Now THAT was funny. See ya later. nt

[NashuaDW]

27. Just curious ...

What is their 'fair' share?

The top 1% already pay nearly half of all federal income taxes while the bottom 60 percent are expected to pay less than 2 percent of federal income taxes.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/04/13/top-1-pay-nearly-half-of-federal-income-taxes.html

At what rate will everyone/anyone agree that they've paid their share?

[Lars39]

29. Well, bless their hearts! Since they also have as much or more money than

the bottom 40 or whatever percent, I believe they can stand to pay more.
I don't see rich people agonizing over food, heat, or meds.

[clarice]

17. Waiting. nt

[ileus]

9. We went to TN last weekend, will finish up this weekend in Va.

Made the short 1hr drive to TN last weekend to school shop, where we spent maybe 500 bucks or a little more. This weekend we'll finish up here in our home state of Virginia.

It's somewhat useful I suppose.

[clarice]

15. I agree... especially for very low income families. Thanks. nt

[Ilsa]

25. Two weekends would help.

The stores are ridiculously crowded with the sales and no tax, and sometimes they run out of certain items and need to reorder.

[clarice]

26. I think so too. Thanks. nt