the whole issue revolves around the federal personal income tax, which is not the only tax. . . .
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Social Security is not in the strict sense a tax, it is an insurance program that we are forced to participate in except for a very few groups.
Unemployment again is an insurance program. We call it a tax but it is a premium that we pay.
Sales taxes are not federal.
Gasoline tax is a usage assement. We pay for the roads we drive on. If you don’t drive you don’t pay (directly).
Excise taxes are indeed taxes but are a tiny portion of the overall. If you don’t PAY taxes then you likely qualify for a payment instead, welfare.
If you have enough money and you don’t pay taxes then the government sets a minimum you have to pay even if you don’t owe taxes. Isn’t America great.
” - - - Social Security is not in the strict sense a tax, it is an insurance program that we are forced to participate in - - - “
Social Security can best be viewed as an annuity purchased from the Federal Government at the point of Federal guns. The rate of return, currently, is 1.2 % .
Since participation is mandatory, SS is a tax.