moving on up
I just finished my taxes.
I set up my paycheck to try to ensure that I get some money back and certainly do not have to pay anything. Some would say a flawed strategy, but it works for me.
My effective tax rate was over 15%. I am pretty firmly in the middle class and will likely stay here for the foreseeable future. I refinanced my mortgage in 2011 and so I payed a lot less in interest. My property taxes have decreased with the value of my home.
What pushed me over the 15% was the windfall from selling 2 stocks for a profit of 30 dollars. I also had some small reinvested dividends. I am happy to pay my taxes. Happy to be making enough to be able to contribute to national defense, education, and building infrastructure. Luckily, the 15 cents I got from my savings account did not seem to add to my tax bill.
I wish that I made enough to fall into the one percent. I would be paying more money in taxes but I would have the money to pay it. If I invent some awesome gadget that everyone has to have, I will be delighted to “suffer” the taxes of the one percent. So fingers crossed, maybe I can pay more next year.
feveredsense 