Phila. tax hike could cost homeowners hundreds (About that middle class tax cut)

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | 03/07/09 | Patrick Kerkstra

[Kid Shelleen]

The tax increases and new fees that Mayor Nutter is considering to close a yawning budget deficit could raise as much as $270 million a year for the city, while costing most homeowners hundreds of dollars annually.

It is too soon to say precisely how heavy the new tax and fee burden will be, since the administration has not yet settled on its proposals and City Council has yet to weigh in.

But it is clear that if the city raises the property and sales taxes and simultaneously creates a trash fee, the new costs for Philadelphia residents would be significant.

[Kid Shelleen]

Lucky for the working man that Obama is cuting taxes...

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

Dear IRS,

I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to pay taxes owed April 15, but all is not lost.

I have paid these taxes: accounts receivable tax, building permit tax, CDL tax, cigarette tax, corporate income tax, dog license tax, federal income tax, unemployment tax, gasoline tax, hunting license tax, fishing license tax, waterfowl stamp tax, inheritance tax, inventory tax, liquor tax, luxury tax, Medicare tax, city, school and county property tax (up 33 percent last four years), real estate tax, Social Security tax, road usage tax, toll road tax, state and city sales tax, recreational vehicle tax, state franchise tax, state unemployment tax, telephone federal excise tax, telephone federal state and local surcharge tax, telephone minimum usage surcharge tax, telephone state and local tax, utility tax, vehicle license registration tax, capital gains tax, lease severance tax, oil and gas assessment tax, State property tax, many State’s sales tax, and many more that I can’t recall, but I have run out of space and money.

When you do not receive my check April 15, just know that it is an honest mistake. Please treat me the same way you treated Congressmen Charles Rangel, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and ex-Congressman Tom Daschle and, of course, your boss, Timothy Geithner. No penalties and no interest.

P.S. I will make at least a partial payment as soon as I get my stimulus check.

Yours truly, an honest hard working american.

[Logical me]

Sorry but I can't feel too sorry for you. I'm in Kalifornia, the tax capitol of the Country. Wish you luck!

[Kid Shelleen]

**** Philly Metro/Delaware Valley Ping ****

[TCats]

Just more of the Federal version of ‘Three Card Monty’. What they ‘Give’ you back on one hand they take away in increased fees, hidden/indirect taxes and degraded Money with the other.

i.e., There is no expenditure that is not paid for - Money does not grow in trees despite what our lying, corrupt Politicians would have you believe. /rant

[Kid Shelleen]

That's awesome !!

[phatus maximus]

CLASSIC!!!

[Myrddin]

Just more of the Federal version of ‘Three Card Monty’. What they ‘Give’ you back on one hand they take away in increased fees, hidden/indirect taxes and degraded Money with the other.

It's worse than that. The increased local and state taxes aren't going to be deductible under Obama's new budget. You'll have to pay the federal marginal rate on the taxes that you pay to your state and local government...as if it was never taxed away in the first place.

[hermgem]

Aren't real estate taxes based on real estate values or better: when did they get disconnected?
What about those that do not pay their mortgages nor utilities such as gas/electricity/water?
Are mortgage delinquents tax exempt?
What about Cities finally coming up with reducing costs, as there are means to outsource, speak privatize or slimming down manpower wise.
Garbage collection, bus transportation, even accounting come to mind.
Raising taxes means evading economical measures.

[TCats]

IOW, they are eliminating the disparity between FICA and State/Local Taxes by making them both nondeductible. Just one of many examples of making things ‘More fair’. /sarc

[Kid Shelleen]

>>The increased local and state taxes aren't going to be deductible under Obama's new budget<<<

Can you provide references? I have a bet with a lib who thinks his taxes are going down the next few years. You are going to help me win a steak dinner !

[Myrddin]

The budget is far from passed, but here is a link to an article that covers some of the issues. Additional budget details here. You can snag the steak dinner with ease. The Bush tax cuts were across the board. When they expire, everybody gets a tax increase. Enjoy your steak. Cap and trade is a "carbon tax" that will drive up the cost of everything that requires energy. It hits everyone who turns on a light, eats food or drives a car.

[Doctor Raoul]

How long have DMOCRATS been running Philly?

[strykr]

Hey.. Obama won’t raise your taxes.. he’ll just leave that to the Spendocrats lower on the food chain!! That way he can keep his messiah like image..

[gr8eman]

Since Rizzo, I believe...when the mafia ran Philly it was a much better place to live.

[RU88]

‘Three Card Monty’

An apt description of the game being played on America by Zero and his minions. Will the last person to leave Philadelphia please shut off the lights...