Why is the IRS Taking So Much from Us? 

It’s tax season again, which means that millions of Americans (like you and me) will spend a few stressful days trying to figure out why the IRS is taking so much from us, while large discounts on taxes are given to big corporations.

Actually, this time of year shouldn’t stress us. It should infuriate us.

It’s a well known fact that the bigger a business is, the bigger the tax concessions. But even when U.S. companies are getting record tax breaks offered by the Republican administration in power, these same companies are reducing benefits for U.S. workers, covering less of our health care bill, and sending jobs overseas, while we continue to struggle to cover the cost of basic needs. To make things worst, businesses like insurance companies get to exploit the health care needs of Americans by charging outrageous premiums for health care coverage, AND profiting from generous tax subsidies our government provides.

I’m a firm believer in a strong economy, and I think government should encourage business growth, but I think we’re putting the well being of corporations ahead of the welfare of American workers and tax payers.

It’s not fair to allow wealthy CEOs to claim vacation homes as tax deductions while my family and I can’t deduct the full cost of an emergency room visit from our taxes. Let’s give expenditures for health and long term care insurance premiums and benefits the same tax treatment that CEOs get for gourmet meals, entertainment, and limo rides.

After you and I pay up to 40% of our income in taxes, it’s not encouraging to learn that to be able to itemize the cost for health care, our medical expenses have to exceed 7.5% of our adjusted gross income. Aren’t we paying enough?

I’m sure that I’m not alone on this. Think about it this tax season when you are writing your tax check to the IRS. Most times, it’s not the rich or the corporations who pay the most in taxes. It’s me and you.