Tax Filing Time

American tax slaves (aka employed and even retired/non-working people since their income streams are taxed in the USA) have about one month before the infamous April 15 federal income tax deadline is here so we stay in compliance with the Internal Revenue System. The only option of course is not filing income taxes which might lead to serving time in jail living off the resources of those people who did pay their income taxes. Ah, the options we have in life!!

So as my readers scramble to file their income taxes I wanted to share some state income tax data with all of you (ok, both of you!!) to put your own situation into perspective:

STATES WITH NON PERSONAL INCOME TAX:

Alaska
Florida
Nevada
New Hampshire
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Washington State
Wyoming

Yes my state of Minnesota borders South Dakota so a move is very tempting but I enjoy being married so I stay here :-)

STATES WITH FLAT INCOMES TAXES:

Colorado - 4.63%
Illinois - 3%
Indiana - 3.4%
Massachusetts -- 5.3%
Michigan - 3.9%
Pennsylvania - 3.07%
Rhode Island - 5.5% (starting in 2010)

If we can't eliminate personal income taxes right away here in Minnesota then I say -- give us a flat tax. A flat tax is not only efficient and transparent but it actually "fairer" than pitting economic classes against each other via the class warfare the current system lives on and promotes today.

From the Land of 10,000 Taxes,

Todd