Comic Strips

Taxes are also the problem in countries like the US and China wherein income tax only exists to remove currency from circulation. There's plenty of other ways to do that in a digital world.

Yep, and this cartoon feels like America would keep voting for this stupid fascist stuff as long as they keep promising the Libertarian ideal of lower and lower taxes.

Americans trained to defund America, the enemy was inside all along.

Know you're joking, but just think it's funny to point out that one of DOGE's first acts was to try to kill the direct file system the IRS maintains to make it easier for some people to file their taxes. I feel like that one didn't get a lot of coverage.

... Right into Col. Musks bank account!

Not of MUTT can have anything to say about it

Now that it's clear the Federal government is just using tax money to give to billionaires, it's going to be extra painful this year. It genuinely just feels like a protection racket now. Pay money to the ruling class, or their enforcers will haul you away to prison.

I'm not sure what country you're talking about, but I assume the U.S. We do have taxes deducted from payroll, and you fill out a form telling the employer (and the IRS) what amount to deduct based on estimated income, family size, and a couple of other factors. Then in April we have to file our official tax form declaring actual income, and if we owe less than what was deducted from our paychecks we receive that back as a refund, but if we underestimated we have to pay whatever taxes are remaining. The reason that filing taxes is so complicated is the sheer volume of deductions, exemptions, credits, etc that have been piled on top of the tax code over the years (plus lobbying by the tax prep industry). It's a stupid system, but it's not as stupid as some people seem to be assuming in this thread. If you set up your withholding right, you shouldn't ever owe taxes when it's time to file.

Now, if you're self-employed or a contractor (and considered self-employed) the whole thing kind of falls apart and it's a lot easier to wind up owning a bunch of money. Like I said, it is a stupid system, just not quite as crazy as some people seem to be assuming.

This is why I don't blame the politicians. I blame the people

And what would that do?

They already run a deficit, so they'll run a bigger deficit. Printing money is a flat tax on everyone. So not paying taxes is just applying a flat tax on others.

Plus you get to go to jail and cost me money to support you there.

I'm all for effective protest, but this doesn't seem to be it.

Good luck getting that tariff money to pay for local roads and schools.

I'm sure that Elon Musk will agree with you.

Before the feds went fascist, this was hyperbole. Now it's simply the truth, for federal, anyway. At least my state taxes are still being used for public benefit.

Bracketed income tax is a thing for a reason, and it is a good reason.

more income == more tax.

If I'm making less than $20k/year, there's no reason to give a shit about my taxes, just let me live yo.

If I'm making $200k+/year, then we have a conversation on our hands.

If I'm making 2,000k+/year, then we have a problem and the conversation should have have been completed by now.

edit:

exact numbers are not relevant. if you have a functioning brain, then you know what I mean.

Income amount that requires you to file

If you were under 65 at the end of 2024

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/check-if-you-need-to-file-a-tax-return

I’ve had to work with the irs a few times in my life and they were always reasonable and understanding. I lost everything and had to scrounge up $200k by selling off a business and everything but a shirt off my back and they never charged interest or late fees because I always answered their calls and kept them updated on what was going on. I know many others have had different experiences but the two times I was in deep shit and desperate times I walked away with a positive experience from the irs.