Friday
From time to time I have covered the efforts of libertarian heroes Carla Howell and Michael Cloud to bring about an end to the Massachusetts income tax. They succeeded in the collection and complex certification of a huge number of signatures; they defeated an underhanded counter-attack by the teachers union; they even overcame a law-breaking legislature:
Fourth, although the Massachusetts Constitution requires the state legislature to take testimony on and vote on our END the Income Tax Ballot Initiative, the legislature refused to obey the Constitution. The legislature refused to invite us to give testimony. They refused to vote on our initiative.Fortunately, the legislature cannot exercise a "pocket veto," cannot block a ballot initiative by refusing to comply with the state Constitution. A Massachusetts Supreme Court decision allows our Initiative to move forward - even when the legislature violates the state Constitution.
Now they have one more hurdle before they get on the ballot. Another twenty thousand signature collected, distributed to each town for certification and then delivered to the appropriate State official by June 9.
Should be a dawdle for those two, but if you want to help you can do so here.
By the way, I will be working the JPMorgan Tech08 show in Boston later this month.
With the deductibility of state income taxes against federal income taxes, are't they overstating the savings to itemizers?
Posted by edh at May 2, 2008 02:29 PM
The amount that someone's federal tax will increase depends upon that person's specific situation. Since it will be different for each individual there's no way to predict anyone's individual saving.
Stating what everyone will save in state taxes is a true statement. Most people must know there is also a federal tax and if you don't incur a deductible expense you don't have that deduction. You've still avoided that particular expense.
Posted by Flash Gordon at May 2, 2008 04:58 PM
In Washington State we have sales tax but no income tax. We still get a deduction from the IRS. You can either choose a standard deduction based on income plus any major purchases (auto, etc.) or actual tax paid if you're a receipt collector.
Posted by TFellow at May 2, 2008 05:11 PM
If they manage to pull this off in the bluest state in the Union, Moses will have to shift over to make room for some new miracle workers. God bless them for even trying!
Posted by mac at May 3, 2008 12:13 AM
TFellow, you are right. I forgot, if you live in a state with no income tax you can deduct sales tax. If you live in a state with an income tax you get no deduction for sales tax.
Posted by Flash Gordon at May 3, 2008 06:34 AM
