Death tax

As I said before, your son is also your dependent. That is of great importance under the law.

As to your wife, the simple answer is yes. People avoid this by filing jointly and sharing financial resources such as bank accounts. Essentially acting as both being part of the same financial entity for taxation purposes.

 

What I said was I think that is what the current law is.

 

Why should a kid whose dad cannot afford to give him $20 and goes out and gets $20 mowing a lawn be subject to tax, when a kid with a richer daddy gets $20 for nothing should get it tax free?

 

So what difference does it make whether I give my son money now or I give it contingent upon my death?

 

H&W are consider a common unit for tax purposes.

 

Good question. In my opinion neither of those kids should pay any tax on their income whatsoever. So I'm perfectly consistent.

 

It shouldn't make any difference.

 

It doesnt, except that if you give it to him now you wont have it anymore.

On the other hand you are allowed to give up to 14000 dollars as a gift tax free per year which is what many people choose to do.

 

I'm perfectly consistent too. They both should pay tax.

 

So how about if I go to work, cash my paycheck, and hand over 75% of the cash to my friend. Do you think that should be considered taxable income for my friend?

 

I agree. It doesn't make any difference. So there should be no income tax distinction.

 

You think that if I give my kid $20, that should be considered taxable income for him?

 

The figure is doubled if you're married, each spouse can give $14k without tax consequence.

 

See above.

 

If it is above the gift exemption.

 

I don't see how you've made an argument against an inheritance tax.

 

Me neither.

 

Because using the threat of force to take people's money is wrong?

 

Taxes are not taking your money. Taxes are collecting a fee for the services provided by the government. It's you paying money you owe by virtue of living here.

Whether you approve of those services or wouldn't have chosen to opt into the system if given a choice is irrelevant.

 

Sorry, but you're wrong. There is no voluntary agreement, so it's taking money by force.

 

It is voluntary. You may renounce your citizenship at any time and leave the country.

Even better, you can exert some control over how the tax laws are enforced by voting for your chosen officials.

As conservatives are so fond of saying, this is the deal. If you don't like it get out.

 

Hm, so this supposed deal is voluntary, but if I don't take the deal then I must uproot my life and leave my neighborhood.

That doesn't sound voluntary to me.

 

A life you only had because of the benefits afforded to you just by living here. Nothing is free, including the environment of opportunity that this country provides. An environment supported and preserved by the government, which runs on tax money.

Take it or leave it. But if you choose to leave it you have to leave all of it.

 

That doesn't sound voluntary at all.

 

Well it is. Any arrangement you can choose to walk away from is voluntary. Just because there are consequences to walking away that you don't like doesn't mean it's any less voluntary.