California Tricks, Not Treats

[Guest SUNTZU]

California to withhold a bigger chunk of paychecks -- latimes.com

California to withhold a bigger chunk of paychecks

The amount goes up 10% on Sunday as Sacramento borrows from taxpayers. Technically, it's not an income tax increase: You'll get the money back eventually.

Reporting from Los Angeles and Sacramento - Starting Sunday, cash-strapped California will dig deeper into the pocketbooks of wage earners -- holding back 10% more than it already does in state income taxes just as the biggest shopping season of the year kicks into gear.

Technically, it's not a tax increase, even though it may feel like one when your next paycheck arrives. As part of a bundle of budget patches adopted in the summer, the state is taking more money now in withholding, even though workers' annual tax bills won't change.

Think of it as a forced, interest-free loan: You'll be repaid any extra withholding in April. Those who would receive a refund anyway will receive a larger one, and those who owe taxes will owe less.

But with rising gas costs, depressed home prices and double-digit unemployment, the state's added reach into residents' regular paycheck isn't sitting well with many.

"The state's suddenly slapping people upside the head," said Mack Reed, 50, of Silver Lake. "It's appalling how brash that is."

Brittney McKaig, 23, of Santa Ana said she expects the additional withholding to affect her holiday spending.

"Coming into the holidays, we're getting squeezed anyway," she said. "We're not getting Christmas bonuses and other perks we used to get. So it all falls back on spending. The $40 gift will become a $20 gift."

The extra withholding may seem like a small amount siphoned from each paycheck, but it adds up to a $1.7-billion fix for California's deficit-riddled books.

More at link above...

[Mike.357]

maybe they ought to look as raising the sales tax so all the illegals get to pitch in

[Guest SUNTZU]

That's racist, Mike.

[Mike.357]

I was referring to illegals of european decent, sorry for the confusion.

[Guest mosinon]

I think they ought to auction off handgun carry permits. A sliding scale all the way from the Governator (20 round mag) to the Fife (one round in separate pocket).

Since hollywood is all about looking good concealed carry would not be allowed. Cruising in the bentley with your gold plated 92fs has to be worth a mill or two to those hollywood folks.

Well maybe not. So instead a tax on implants by cup size.

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

The extra withholding may seem like a small amount siphoned from each paycheck, but it adds up to a $1.7-billion fix for California's deficit-riddled books.

No, not really. Its more of a stop gap, since they will just owe it later. A fix would require them to spend less, but that would cost too much money...

Edit: Sorry Suntzu. Was trying to quote the article and wasn't paying attention. It wasn't directed at you.

Edited November 2, 2009 by CrazyLincoln

[Guest SUNTZU]

No, not really. Its more of a stop gap, since they will just owe it later. A fix would require them to spend less, but that would cost too much money...

Not my quote. That's from the article.

[G27]

I was referring to illegals of european decent, sorry for the confusion.

Hahahahaha

[Guest KarlS]

Kinda like loaning money to a relative....you might get it back.

[Semiauto]

All the taxpayers should up their claimed dependents and send a big "up yours" to Sacremento.

[strickj]

Didn't they do this a year,or two ago?

All I gotta say is,it sucks to be them!

I was referring to illegals of european decent, sorry for the confusion.

As a white guy,I take offense to that!

Not all of us "whities" are bad people ya know!

[DWARREN123]

How can this be legal? Sounds like more BS from the government to me, sucks to live there I guess.

[Guest jg45]

Wonder what would happen if they got rid of the income tax, went to a 25 or 30% sales tax (takes care of those who don't want to pay into the system) on everything but food and medical?