Quote:
Originally Posted by TheKilo
No, because the taxation rate on levels of income isn't the same across the board. So thanks for playing.
|
I know they aren't, and they don't have to be.
(I don't know why I started this discussion about ARod as this thread is about Jeter, but I'll continue on ARod for the sake of consistency of example...)
Taking liberties on your taxes to save 10% of your total income on last dollar earned is the same REGARDLESS of what your tax rate is. We're discussing pre-tax income here anyways, aren't we? That IS what you're taxed upon after all, isn't it?!? I'm going to give you a brief tax lesson, pay attention.
The "liberties" that most people take are usually one of two things, if not both: understating earnings or overstating deductions. You speak as though athletes have been climbing this ridiculous step-ladder of tax brackets. Federally speaking, you hit the maximum tax bracket by the time you earn $350,000 (assuming you jointly file with your wife) which ARod surpassed during like, the top half of the 7th on Opening Day. Once in that bracket, your federal income tax is 35% of your earnings over (about) $350,000. You think he's going to be able to overstate deductions or understate earnings enough to bring him down below $350,000?!? Of course not. He may save a bit here and there, but his tax rate is staying the same regardless of what liberties he takes. The problem with the taxation system in this country is that it's NOT how you imply that it is. My parents are part of the same tax bracket as ARod, and ARod is in the same tax bracket as Donald Trump, and Donald Trump is in the same tax bracket as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Something about that just doesn't seem right, but that's another discussion entirely.
So, in response to you my friend, tax brackets have absolutely NOTHING to do with this argument. Thank YOU for playing.