About 60% of my parents' wage is taken by the state :mad:
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About 60% of my parents' wage is taken by the state :mad:
If I had to pay that in taxes I think I would go Postal! :evil:
Most of our taxes are also multi-tiered based on income. I remember when Jimmy Carter was the US Prez there was a 75% tax rate for our wealthiest citizens. Of course the wealthiest had the resources to pay for counsel that could help to significantly reduce the tax burden through loop holes and sheltering. I have long been a proponent of a semi-structured flat tax rate. This would destroy the tax councilling industry (advisors, consultants and lawyers), something that wouldn't hurt my feelings one whit as they don't create national wealth nor do they contribute to our society.
Anyhow, I'm certain we have all heard our own tax horror stories of abuse, cheating and graft, but what makes me feel worst of all is that our IRS, legislature and courts have created and continue to support an antagonistic environment where the government is every citizen's enemy in the year leading up to, and especially as you get nearer to, the 15th of April. I have no problem with paying my fair share, provided it actually is my fair share and if only we didn't have to expend so much time and effort attempting to protect ourselves and our assets from our own governments.
Several countries have nationalized medical/dental programs. Typically about 7-10% of American middle-class gross income goes to pay for our own medical/dental/prescription insurance. Some union jobs pay for all medical, but co-pay is the trend that is replacing the no-pay programs. Medical costs are simply too high for many companies to fully support and stay profitable much less competitive. For retired or self-insured people the costs can be significantly higher (15 - 20% of gross income) because they don't have the barganing power of employee group numbers on their side and/or because they are a higher risk.
Anyhow, if Belgium has nationalized medical/dental programs that would account for some of the added tax burden.
As Steve suggested, I was referring to the sales tax when I quoted ~7%.
The tax I pay on my gross is ~28-30%
In the UK it was 22%, but then sales tax (VAT) is 17.5%
But still, 99.9% of things in the USA are cheaper.
For example gas/petrol in the USA is 1/2 of the price the UK pay.
I just want to mention congratualtions on a job well done spikey_richie. Nice promotion in pay helps when someone notices your doing a good job.
I am still waiting for the tremndous boost of getting paid a salary for what I do! Soon it will happen, nice going on the Raise! :D
As for Sales Tax: Pennsylvania charges 6% sales tax, and wages average about 28 to 30% off the top of your wages. Additional charges are what we call the breathing tax this is just $10 per year till your over 72 then it is free. School taxes are very high, property taxes are simply outrageous.