Mainly this part:
It is not that a portion of ALL income belongs to society; there are inevitable expenses to account for first, which we nominally recognize in things like Standard and Dependent Deductions. Many people live quite modestly despite quite large salaries, investments or other income, because they donate most of it to charity. It would be not only wrong but cruel to show up in April demanding 30% of their annual income after they gave away half of it.
This is much of the problem: If charitable donations were not tax deductible they would drop dramatically from necessity, because the need to pay higher taxes (in some cases MUCH higher) would force people to set aside money for it that they would otherwise donate. The value of tax deductible donations is in allowing people to support causes they DO believe in (a powerful incentive for support) without facing a crippling tax burden as a result.
IMO, private acts of charity should always be something that happens after society has had its say, because the wealth isn't truly private until then. So I think there's a problem with the way we currently do things.
It is not that a portion of ALL income belongs to society; there are inevitable expenses to account for first, which we nominally recognize in things like Standard and Dependent Deductions. Many people live quite modestly despite quite large salaries, investments or other income, because they donate most of it to charity. It would be not only wrong but cruel to show up in April demanding 30% of their annual income after they gave away half of it.
Thirdly, what value does allowing people to offset chartible donations against tax offer, in particular when it is giving to a church - if someone has to give a set % as a tithe, then are they going to refuse to if they can't offset it against tax.
This is much of the problem: If charitable donations were not tax deductible they would drop dramatically from necessity, because the need to pay higher taxes (in some cases MUCH higher) would force people to set aside money for it that they would otherwise donate. The value of tax deductible donations is in allowing people to support causes they DO believe in (a powerful incentive for support) without facing a crippling tax burden as a result.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
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LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Taxes and Charity
- 23/09/2012 04:57:07 AM
1114 Views
Proof that Burr is ..... 
- 23/09/2012 05:05:37 AM
573 Views
- 23/09/2012 05:05:37 AM
573 Views
Voting.
- 23/09/2012 06:43:12 AM
672 Views
Joel = Fool ; I vote every year, are you just saying random things now? *NM*
- 25/09/2012 01:42:49 AM
226 Views
"I am proud to say that I didn't vote for anyone in 2004."-Anonymous2000
- 25/09/2012 01:52:00 AM
758 Views
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? 
- 25/09/2012 02:54:28 AM
555 Views
- 25/09/2012 02:54:28 AM
555 Views
"Anyone" means "anyone;" perhaps you have a writing comprehension problem.
- 25/09/2012 03:39:11 AM
561 Views
Joel = Moron
- 25/09/2012 04:37:15 AM
587 Views
The statement was ambiguous, hence I was not the only one who read it as I did.
- 25/09/2012 05:19:46 AM
639 Views
I imagine much of Romney's charitable giving is to the Mormon Church.
- 23/09/2012 12:08:45 PM
620 Views
Almost all of my charitable giving goes to Mercy Corps
- 23/09/2012 03:48:30 PM
585 Views
I would argue that "our society" includes the rest of the world as well. *NM*
- 26/09/2012 03:24:02 PM
244 Views
Is the Mormon Church not part of society? But that issue is part of why I favor taxation. *NM*
- 23/09/2012 10:14:39 PM
230 Views
I'm part of society too. Does that mean I'm as worthy a recipient of money as the public purse? *NM*
- 23/09/2012 10:37:31 PM
272 Views
If you can get the IRS to certify you as a 501(c)(3), then yes. If not, no. *NM*
- 23/09/2012 11:07:13 PM
239 Views
To whatever extent that we should support charity beyond taxation, yes, you are, IMO.
- 24/09/2012 03:56:31 AM
564 Views
I agree with you
- 24/09/2012 11:25:14 AM
1968 Views
I DISagree with both of you.
- 25/09/2012 02:36:05 AM
1888 Views
Re: I DISagree with both of you.
- 25/09/2012 02:26:16 PM
861 Views
The difference there is between non-profit and for-profit organizations.
- 26/09/2012 04:09:00 AM
578 Views
At the risk of sounding like a fundamentalist...
- 23/09/2012 11:05:14 PM
608 Views
Local symphonies are usually charities
- 23/09/2012 11:21:07 PM
597 Views
Yes - cultural and educational non-profits are usually tax-deductible.
- 24/09/2012 01:57:13 PM
555 Views
Re: Yes - cultural and educational non-profits are usually tax-deductible.
- 24/09/2012 02:58:17 PM
688 Views
will you count Scientology as a church?
- 26/09/2012 03:26:53 PM
605 Views
Unrelated business income is taxable under IRC 511. You know that.
- 27/09/2012 11:31:45 PM
574 Views
Let's look at this from a different point of view....
- 24/09/2012 11:51:43 PM
543 Views
I covered that point of view in my response. 
- 25/09/2012 03:31:38 AM
707 Views
- 25/09/2012 03:31:38 AM
707 Views
I routinely do not read your posts (including this one)... Too long.
- 25/09/2012 04:12:24 PM
574 Views
Relating a typically long and tortuous experience with (private) bureaucracy was itself protracted.
- 26/09/2012 04:15:35 AM
535 Views