General Discussion

Proud Public Servant

(2,097 posts)

110. Try doing the math before you troll

Thu Apr 19, 2012, 01:50 PM

Apr 2012

I have a kid. What does that get me on my taxes? It allows an extra exemption for her as my dependent. And what it that worth? Her exemption allows me to reduce my adjusted gross income downward by $3700, which means (in my tax bracket) it reduces my taxes by about $925.

$925 ain't chump change, to be sure. But you know what? It doesn't come close to matching the extra taxes -- sales taxes -- I pay to feed, clothe, and otherwise take care of her. To say nothing of the additional real estate taxes I pay to maintain a home big enough for 3 instead of 2.

Sounds like I should resent you and your freeloading kind.

Oh, and my tax return? It was great -- huge. It'll pay for a week's vacation in Maine, a long weekend at a resort in West Virginia, a new digital SLR, and some contracting work we've been meaning to have done for a while. How'd we get so lucky? 3 little words: "mortgage interest deduction." My kid had f*ck-all to do with it.

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Fellow childfree folks, how much did you love writing the check out to the IRS after hearing all the [View all] RB TexLa Apr 2012 OP

hey, people with no kids have tons more money to spend right? like gays? oh, wait nt msongs Apr 2012 #1

I'm single and got a refund bluestateguy Apr 2012 #2

I have no children and I got a refund. Ruby the Liberal Apr 2012 #3

I had to pay ove a thousand this year mindwalker_i Apr 2012 #4

our kids are all grown up newspeak Apr 2012 #76

If you were living off "a little above minimum wage" former9thward Apr 2012 #121

well, hubby makes under 15 an hour and we must pay for health insurance newspeak Apr 2012 #224

Yes that is a nasty penalty. former9thward Apr 2012 #227

Must have taken too much medicine tonight - edgineered Apr 2012 #5

I have two kids age six and three...we wrote a check alcibiades_mystery Apr 2012 #6

Just wait until those kids reach college age Art_from_Ark Apr 2012 #33

Tell me about it.... truebrit71 Apr 2012 #226

i do not pay taxes with you. dionysus Apr 2012 #7

:) pinboy3niner Apr 2012 #51

Lol XanaDUer Apr 2012 #164

Me, me, me. nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #8

so you have no problem hfojvt Apr 2012 #24

Perhaps I realize those kids nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #25

yeah, the great part about that is hfojvt Apr 2012 #30

So you agree with the op nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #36

The hardest part is affording housing as a single person. dkf Apr 2012 #90

Here is a huge clue nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #95

single people can still get roommates. noamnety Apr 2012 #176

So you should get your own house, while others must room up joeglow3 Apr 2012 #222

Well they are MARRIED. You want them to be able to live separately? dkf Apr 2012 #223

So who is going to be paying your Social Security? (nt) SATIRical Apr 2012 #78

If you didn't have to pay for other people you could have saved it. dkf Apr 2012 #89

Yep, but that is not how the system works. SATIRical Apr 2012 #93

ah, but the math says hfojvt Apr 2012 #113

Two things wrong with your math SATIRical Apr 2012 #114

those are not the numbers I came up with hfojvt Apr 2012 #117

No, the point is SATIRical Apr 2012 #119

I will be receiving a benefit hfojvt Apr 2012 #122

lol unapatriciated Apr 2012 #171

current world population above 7 billion. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #139

TY stuntcat Apr 2012 #161

+1 bahrbearian Apr 2012 #183

And I assume you're headed over to Guinea-Bissou right now, where the so-called "population problem" Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #200

Can the snark. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #205

So if no Americans have babies, the population issue in Zimbabwe is solved? Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #208

Please post accepted research and links to back up your remarks. Thanks. n/t BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #213

Why don't you tell me which data point you think needs Additional verification. Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #214

What irritates me is that you are snarking at me and waving data BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #215

Okay, well maybe you missed the part about how we've had this argument (DU, not you and me) several Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #216

I think some of my links, or one, anyway BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #228

I'm sure they'll engage you on it in an earnest fashion, as is their wont. Although maybe via text. Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #229

and a marked propensity for vituperation and snark. BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #232

It's that generation gap, again Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #233

OK, then BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #234

Gen x is definitely a demographic divot between boomers & millenials Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #235

These kids will someday pay into the Social Security that you'll collect LiberalEsto Apr 2012 #68

that's assuming I live long enough to collect anything hfojvt Apr 2012 #111

What return rate do you get on your investments? SATIRical Apr 2012 #115

in your example, the single person is better off Bill McBlueState Apr 2012 #193

thank you hfojvt Apr 2012 #196

I'm married with one (and soon to be two) seeviewonder Apr 2012 #9

We sent off $3,116.00 SoCalDem Apr 2012 #10

Sounds like you would have been a crappy parent anyways! What.... Logical Apr 2012 #11

This is a rude and mean post. Crappy PARENTS are the ones who don't do society a favour. Darth_Kitten Apr 2012 #65

+1 nashville_brook Apr 2012 #101

Most definitely! n/t BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #206

If that's not a personal attack, I don't know what is. ceile Apr 2012 #138

did you read the OP... be consistent fascisthunter Apr 2012 #145

Single, no kids here. Got a refund because of mortgage interest and property taxes CakeGrrl Apr 2012 #12

I am single and retired and I wrote a check for over $15000 for federal tax doc03 Apr 2012 #13

single, retired, got a nice refund shanti Apr 2012 #177

Hmmm? Grandma raised 3 kids last year, with daycare, graduation, etc...., so we LIVE on the refund. txwhitedove Apr 2012 #14

Aww.. Bless your heart.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #15

I can't bring myself to be outraged that having dependents results in deductions fishwax Apr 2012 #16

God, really. This whole thread is absurd. (nt) Posteritatis Apr 2012 #83

Single. No kids of my own, but did put one niece and one nephew through college. WillowTree Apr 2012 #17

Plenty of childfree people get refunds and don't "have" to spend it on kids -- what's your point? n gateley Apr 2012 #18

the point is not about the refund, it is about the tax bill hfojvt Apr 2012 #41

There is no special deduction for children. And where are you getting those numbers? ieoeja Apr 2012 #79

that's right the exemption newspeak Apr 2012 #84

Just as exemptions are per person, one could argue that the bracket range should be multipled too. ieoeja Apr 2012 #118

Inventing? hfojvt Apr 2012 #133

Your numbers differ from what I see published. ieoeja Apr 2012 #140

you are adding that wrong hfojvt Apr 2012 #178

Its more than that Sgent Apr 2012 #109

there is an accursed tax credit of $1,000 per child hfojvt Apr 2012 #132

"Does that seem like a fair tax system to you..?" Chan790 Apr 2012 #186

If sending a relatively small check to Uncle Sam is the price... Rochester Apr 2012 #19

Oh, goodie. Yet another parent-and-children-bashing liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #20

+1. TheWraith Apr 2012 #39

I hear ya. I also have no problem liberalhistorian Apr 2012 #92

Mostly married people with children vote the politicians in that are also married and doc03 Apr 2012 #21

Fellow renting folks, how much did you love writing the check out to the IRS after hearing all the Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #22

I've owned 3 homes hfojvt Apr 2012 #34

Your problem is you need a better accountant, not others with children. (nt) jeff47 Apr 2012 #123

I had $9500 of my income exempt from taxes. LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #23

You avoid restaurants? pipoman Apr 2012 #61

lots of negativity in the replies hfojvt Apr 2012 #26

+1 REP Apr 2012 #27

Pockets being picked? Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #37

the record is clear hfojvt Apr 2012 #43

I'm not real sure what you are complaining about here, you want the mortgage deduction gone snooper2 Apr 2012 #81

Did you read the link? hfojvt Apr 2012 #108

I think you should read this, then some of the comments snooper2 Apr 2012 #112

+1. That's how it is in America. Everyone is concerned the next person SammyWinstonJack Apr 2012 #48

Those children will be subsidizing your retirement. nt laundry_queen Apr 2012 #42

as the poster subsidized the retirements of others. so? HiPointDem Apr 2012 #45

That's exactly the point. I'm sorry you missed it. nt laundry_queen Apr 2012 #77

'Pockets are being picked'? LeftishBrit Apr 2012 #58

I would argue that my share of the tax burden hfojvt Apr 2012 #105

well said NewJeffCT Apr 2012 #168

You reap what you sow n/t n2doc Apr 2012 #70

Why should I pay for cancer research? I don't have cancer 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #87

it's not about what I am paying for hfojvt Apr 2012 #116

When I was single and childless, I noticed all of this. But remembered I was a child once, and my freshwest Apr 2012 #181

So true bahrbearian Apr 2012 #184

What a fucked up post rufus dog Apr 2012 #28

Someone is off the chain! Rex Apr 2012 #29

"They have value, we don't." Tarheel_Dem Apr 2012 #31

Those kids will be funding my Social Security. Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #32

Are you going to start a thread abelenkpe Apr 2012 #35

There are worse things to be upset about... jmowreader Apr 2012 #38

You sound bitter tkmorris Apr 2012 #40

another thread where the 99% fight with each other over crumbs. win for the 1%. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #44

Exactly! SammyWinstonJack Apr 2012 #49

Exactly LeftishBrit Apr 2012 #59

+1000 nt Javaman Apr 2012 #73

Win! JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #82

Yes, in that respect, the 1% are morally superior. They stick together and we shred each other. freshwest Apr 2012 #180

Kids are expensive, I don't care about that but I am against the homeowners credit TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #46

So you support globalism and don't fancy paying your taxes Union Scribe Apr 2012 #47

HA! SammyWinstonJack Apr 2012 #50

Thread winner alcibiades_mystery Apr 2012 #54

No children, and no resentment, here. salin Apr 2012 #52

One some level I resent it schlagehundenancee Apr 2012 #53

Jeez Louise, just have a baby, then. Problem solved. Brickbat Apr 2012 #55

I don't have children, and I disagree on this LeftishBrit Apr 2012 #56

Another hit-and-run shit-stir compliments of The RB TexLa Show! nt Codeine Apr 2012 #57

didn't get a refund but I didn't make enough to pay either. hobbit709 Apr 2012 #60

Childless and retired here, I get pissed that I Autumn Apr 2012 #62

I have one child Maine-ah Apr 2012 #63

A child.. sendero Apr 2012 #64

I never pay the Feds... a la izquierda Apr 2012 #66

KIds, no kids, it doesn't matter. Gloating and whining are neither one attractive or effective. Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #67

^^^^ Thread win. n/t gkhouston Apr 2012 #69

Got a refund. GeorgeGist Apr 2012 #71

Resentful much? n/t cynatnite Apr 2012 #72

Stupid breeders. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #74

I have no kids and I got a refund... Javaman Apr 2012 #75

I raised my three children, they are no longer deductible, I didn't write any checks Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #80

I can only say this... "bless your little heart..." LanternWaste Apr 2012 #85

Kinda reminds me of people without a car complaining about paying taxes to build roads 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #86

No children and we pay a huge amt of taxes Mojorabbit Apr 2012 #88

Theoretically, a progressive tax system is supposed to take into account ability to pay taxes. PA Democrat Apr 2012 #91

Think of us gayfolk HillWilliam Apr 2012 #94

Sounds like you need to adjust your withholding... jayfish Apr 2012 #96

refunds are from overwithholding or overpayment ctaylors6 Apr 2012 #97

Well Sir... Xyzse Apr 2012 #98

Maybe you should save your animosity for corporations who don't pay taxes. n/t cynatnite Apr 2012 #99

Taxes is the price we pay for civilisation Ron Obvious Apr 2012 #100

Hear, Hear!!!! nt bluestate10 Apr 2012 #231

No children here now, they are adults. Silver Swan Apr 2012 #102

You have received some interesting responses WinniSkipper Apr 2012 #103

Children are still a net loss even with tax-benefits 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #107

I think that while true, that's a different issue WinniSkipper Apr 2012 #126

Where did my children go? hughee99 Apr 2012 #104

Ugh, "Childfree" = kid-hater. Odin2005 Apr 2012 #106

Since this is DU WinniSkipper Apr 2012 #127

Sorry, but I have to disagree. My youngest son and his wife decided before they married Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #128

Sorry, I was generalizing. Odin2005 Apr 2012 #129

I know what you mean. I've met them, too. Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #130

I know lots of "childfree" people with the same attitude. nt MADem Apr 2012 #188

Why would some parents think "child-free" people would make the effort to hate their darling angels? Darth_Kitten Apr 2012 #210

Try doing the math before you troll Proud Public Servant Apr 2012 #110

You pay taxes for one person. Single parent paying taxes for two gets twice your deduction. ieoeja Apr 2012 #120

i'd rather people with children get it than the generals. spanone Apr 2012 #124

They also have to support the children! Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #125

That is their lifestyle choice RB TexLa Apr 2012 #131

So? Your point? Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #147

It's no wonder that every time I come here I see less and less posts SomethingFishy Apr 2012 #134

no shit! fascisthunter Apr 2012 #135

Which is why I would never, ever recommend DU to anyone who was not a raving lib/prog/leftist. ieoeja Apr 2012 #141

yuh... oh, poor poor moderates fascisthunter Apr 2012 #143

the centrists are just like us, they just want fewer good things and more bad things than we do CreekDog Apr 2012 #167

You stirred up a bunch of shit and then quickly vanished Marrah_G Apr 2012 #136

I said what I wanted to say. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #144

with a Republican post CreekDog Apr 2012 #156

+1 NewJeffCT Apr 2012 #166

Are you kidding? They expect people to have reverence in their voice anytime the word RB TexLa Apr 2012 #174

that's not what makes it a Republican post --it's because you want something and it's only about you CreekDog Apr 2012 #175

Yes, yes you did Marrah_G Apr 2012 #173

I am so with you. Specially since nearly all current problems at their core BlancheSplanchnik Apr 2012 #137

(please someone consider this list) stuntcat Apr 2012 #162

We have value. In this case, govt doesn't recognize it. Zax2me Apr 2012 #142

I have no kids and got a refund... probably buying another gun with it. OneTenthofOnePercent Apr 2012 #146

Although you haven't responded to one single response, I suppose I should ask: ithinkmyliverhurts Apr 2012 #148

those children are going to be paying for your retirement benefits, like Medicare and SS CreekDog Apr 2012 #149

No, and I think this is about as silly as the 53%er nonsense Hippo_Tron Apr 2012 #150

from age 12-32 single and no kids, i got a refund. i also put the most in thru out year seabeyond Apr 2012 #151

The tax code is chuck full of preferential treatments. NYC_SKP Apr 2012 #152

Wanna live by yourself? fascisthunter Apr 2012 #153

Then why do the politicians never say working Americans? It's always working families. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #155

you just scapegoated children for your lack of tax refund --how lame CreekDog Apr 2012 #158

It's not that I mind paying. It's just we have to pay for their lifestyle choice. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #159

then you are opting out of Social Security and Medicare, correct? CreekDog Apr 2012 #160

Just how much have your taxes gone up.. girl gone mad Apr 2012 #182

Divide and conquer, baby. Iggo Apr 2012 #154

+1 CreekDog Apr 2012 #157

Whether you get a refund depends on your deductions. But singles pay the HIGHEST rate. nt Honeycombe8 Apr 2012 #163

same poo, different day CreekDog Apr 2012 #165

i do not poo with you. dionysus Apr 2012 #169

My children are grown and we pay a fair amount in taxes. unapatriciated Apr 2012 #170

I don't care as long as people keep their kids of my lawn nt Zorra Apr 2012 #172

Of all the things in our tax code, THIS is what you choose this to bitch about? progressoid Apr 2012 #179

I got a refund ibegurpard Apr 2012 #185

You sound jealous or envious and resentful LaurenG Apr 2012 #187

I made the choice to not have children, no one else has a say in that. RB TexLa Apr 2012 #189

I don't think anyone else wants a say in your private decisions LaurenG Apr 2012 #190

I do have extra withholding. All I'm saying is there is no reason to give them RB TexLa Apr 2012 #191

That is not a very progressive opinion LaurenG Apr 2012 #195

Oh, right. Darth_Kitten Apr 2012 #211

Hahaha oh dear LaurenG Apr 2012 #212

I'm not the one regretting MY choices.... Darth_Kitten Apr 2012 #218

I'm not complaining either way. I understand why people would choose to remain childless LaurenG Apr 2012 #219

I don't have kids and will never have kids but I pay taxes Rex Apr 2012 #192

I loved it. Bolo Boffin Apr 2012 #194

I have no problem with dependent deductions and child tax credits-with limitations liberaltrucker Apr 2012 #197

What's that? Can't hear ya over the sound of all this DANCING MONEY! Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #198

Not unhappy. Just don't think we should have to pay for their lifestyle choice RB TexLa Apr 2012 #201

Well... ya do! Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #202

It's not like it is a progressive tax, the people who struggle on the same salaries as the RB TexLa Apr 2012 #203

Turn down the dancing money, honey Warren DeMontague Apr 2012 #209

Post removed Post removed Apr 2012 #207

There's at least one baby in your household. n/t rucky Apr 2012 #199

Adjust your withholding amount and deal with it. janx Apr 2012 #204

So it's people with children's fault... BiggJawn Apr 2012 #217

I made the decision not to father children very early in my life. MineralMan Apr 2012 #220

I have 3 kids and gave the IRS $10,000 joeglow3 Apr 2012 #221

I have one "child" and had to pay over three grand... truebrit71 Apr 2012 #225

I am childless. I have done well financially. bluestate10 Apr 2012 #230