Canadian DUers; question regarding taxes regarding an expat friend

[blondeatlast]

We have a friend that has expatriated from Canada saying he couldn't stand the tax rates. He claims he was spending 45% of his income on taxes, and blames the single-payer health coverage for the biggest amount of it.

It sounds very specious to me, and I'm wanting to know if he's giving us the full story. He also strikes me as just a bit of a wingnut RW.

He and my husband are in IT and make a very similar salary, so I can do the math in regards to US vs. Canadian tax rates.

Thanks for any info.

[Feathered Fish]

1. Unfortunately I can't tell you how a salaried

worker is taxed, but I can say that for somone who is paid about $20,000 a year, I only pay 17% tax. As for single-payer health coverage, he's feeding you propaganda from the RW.

[FloridaPat]

2. 45% is about what we pay when you add in both sides of ss and

state taxes, sales, tax, and property taxes.

[blondeatlast]

4. That was my thinking, actually. nt

[Swede]

3. Canada has a progressive tax rate.

For taxable income up to $31,000 the marginal tax rate is approximately 26%. For taxable income between $31,000 and $62,000 the tax rate is approximately 36%. For taxable income between $62,000 and $100,000 the marginal tax rate is approximately 43.5%. Finally, for taxable income above $100,000 the marginal tax rate is approximately 46.5%.

So if you make $100,000,on your first $31k you would pay 26%,on the money earned between 31k and 62k you would pay 36%,and everything above 62k you pay 43.5%.

http://www.rbcinvestments.com/ds/tp_can_mtr.html

This site has an accurate discription.

[miss_kitty]

5. In SOME countries

The people and the government realise taxes are necessary to pay for services that benefit all. In Norway, the tax rate is extremely high, but everything is nice and clean, people can go to the doctor, even if they happen to be unemployed.

Some countries are aware that a rising tide lifts all boats. There are some Canadians that hate their system (Sally Pipes-an Asshat and total LIAR you can all have back http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/09/16/147244&mode=thread&tid=25 ), but if they were seriously ill down here w/o a net (like I was) they'd be screaming for the Canadian system.

On Edit: if you are planning on a move, check into the US tax laws. I BELIEVE you are responsible for paying US tax, if you are living abroad. There may be a $ amt cut off for that, but find out first. I hate nasty surprises, myself