Ringo: That’s just federal tax, right? Off the top of my head, my paycheque is about 30% lighter by the time I get it. Federal tax, state tax, disability insurance, health care, dental care, unemployment insurance, Social Security…
We do pay as we earn. It’s deducted from each paycheck. But we have to file our taxes by April 15 to make sure the right amount was deducted. If it wasn’t (what with deductions to taxable income like mortage interest, child care expenses, schooling, etc) then we either get some back from the government (having loaned it to them for no interest for up to 12 months) or send them a check whilst cursing our fates and wondering why the Confederacy didn’t win.
Get it now?
Oh, I sent mine off on Saturday. They should have it today.
I sent mine off in February–the day after I got my W-2s back. Every time I hear that taxes are due, my heart skips a beat as I try to recall if I did them or not. Heck, both the state and federal refunds are loooooong gone, too.
But it is nice getting money back–even if it is yours. 
Coldfire, I remember the bad old days. I did the math once, and figured I actually only got to spend one out of every ten guilders I earned:eek: , what with all the social premiums and other grabs. 6 months later I emigrated. And though the above mentioned marginal rates for the US are correct, they are nominal.
Most of us here pay significantly less, many families of 4 making less than 200k pay about 20% all-in.
Medicare and social security take out another bite, but still no comparison to the peoples republic of the Netherlands.
Then again, we don’t have college paid for by the government, and that’s a pretty big expense…
I did my taxes in late March, and the refunds are already in my bank account, thanks.
Oh don’t worry, the self assessment form will land on your doorstep sooner or later (pensioners have to fill them in, as most saving interest counts as unearned income)
Oh, and honestly I’m not bitter and twisted about a 40% tax rate.
Heh, I’m in Ireland - we pay 42% and have shitty roads and no health service. But I don’t intend to be a pensioner here, so I guess I will get the tax return form eventually.
I did mine Feb 1st. I e-filed, the money was in my account on the 11th, 
and all spent by the 15th. :smack:
I’m not getting a free ride Coldie, I pay all my UK tax via PAYE. If I make more than the $80k limit I’d just have to fill out some different US paperwork. I do have to do the UK self assessment, but I can do it online and it takes about 10 minutes.
I’ve been told by a tax person that I don’t even have to file. No penalty, no pay, no file. I could file if I wanted to, but I am not required by law to, unless I am self-employed or make more than the $80k (or whatever it is this year), which will be the case for next year if my biz survives.
Now that I think about it, the folks who told me I needed to file every year were the people who were getting paid for filling out the forms for me. In any case, it only takes about a half hour to do the forms, so I’ll keep it up. I’d hate to have to go thru explaining several years of missing filings if I ever move back to the US.