Why are Veterans taxed?

[hootinholler]

I mean if we're going to let some group be privileged to not pay income taxes, why not veterans?

Just wondering.

[RegieRocker]

1. Been wondering that for 39 yrs.

[sammytko]

2. If you receive veteran disabilty pay - it is not taxed

If you receive retirement, it is taxes.

We do not pay property taxes in Tx if you are 100% VA disabled. There are exemptions for other classifications.

I only pay 3 dollars to register my vehicle.

[Bragi]

3. Why shouldn't they be taxed like everyone else?

I don't see any justification for making them tax free for life, if that's what you're thinking.

[MineralMan]

4. Why? I'm a veteran, and I can't see any reason why I shouldn't

pay income taxes, just like everyone else who earns enough to owe them. Can you elaborate on your reasons for such a benefit?

[MADem]

5. In Massachusetts, anyone receiving a government pension or annuity

(examples--military retirees, veterans on disability retirement, widows of same receiving an annuity payment from the federal government, as well as retired federal/state/local government employees--anyone from teachers to janitors to clerks, etc., etc.) pays no MA state taxes.

You're still on the hook for the federal taxes in some (not all) cases.

[Bragi]

9. Most are entitlements, and can usefully be tax free

Most of those things are entitlements, and/or benefits that everyone agrees ought to be tax free. Not sure about the reference to teachers, unless you are talking about their pensions being exempt. If you are saying MA doesn't tax salaried income of teachers at all, however, well I'm not sure that's good public policy or finance. The tax system works better if they pay earned income taxes like everyone else.

[MADem]

11. Go back and re-read. I was specific.

Teachers are town/city employees, and their pensions are exempt, just like the janitor at City Hall will see his pension exempted.

If you get a pension/annuity from state, local or federal government, it's tax free.

It makes MA a nice place for military retirees and disabled veterans, and government workers. These same workers--including military personnel like myself who retained MA as their home of record--paid full taxes while we were working. In fact, I paid taxes to MA, my home of record, even though I lived away from MA for over 20 years, and wasn't using any of the resources of the state, during my time on active duty.

[Bragi]

17. Makes sense. Odd that other states haven't done the same /nt

[MADem]

18. Those retirees spend their money in MA, so it works out well for the state economy in the end. nt

[former9thward]

6. If they are making an income they should be taxed.

They are receiving and using the benefits of this country and everyone should pay. Just because someone wore an uniform does not excuse them. And I say that as one who wore one at one time.

[Orsino]

7. Because they are the job SEEKERS, obviously.

x(

[bowens43]

8. I for one am sick and tired

of the special treatment for Veterans crap. They deserve exactly what each and everyone of us deserves, no more , no less.

It is howver time to start taxing the clergy and churches....

[Bragi]

10. Good one!

There's a viewpoint you don't hear often on the Excellence in Broadcasting Network.

[county worker]

12. Too bad you couldn't walk along beside me in Vietnam since you deserve just what I got!

[HereSince1628]

14. And yet as we earned our VSR and VCR

we were fulfilling an oath to defend a Constitution that guarantees his/her right to hold that opinion.

At the time, in the way-back, my service seemed a lot less about the Constitution and a lot more about figuring out how to survive the demands of the experience.

Now, it seems a lot more about dealing with diabetes and heart disease from the Agent Orange exposure...

I don't feel bad about the benefits I have received. I think I earned them as much as anyone earns any government benefit.
.
.
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Sometimes, when I am not too pissed off about the crumbling state of social affairs, I can get to a higher place where I can feel good when I hear something with which I don't agree. That disagreement is actually evidence that my generation (maybe our generation) of veterans handled that responsibility well enough that it has been handed to new-guys who, despite all the misadventures of wild-assed chickenhawk politicians, continue to keep it safe.

Viva la difference! It is, after all, what makes democracy meaningful.

[Rebubula]

13. Did you serve?

Did you take 2-6 years from your life to defend (or at least that is the ideals you had when you signed up) and protect this country?

Did you lose a leg in a war you should not have been in?

Did you see your friends die in piles of blood and guts while you lay wounded?

Did you ever have to kill someone else in order to save yourself or your comrades?


If you answered NO to these questions - STFU.


For the record - I never served, but I know many that did and they are all, to a person, good and honorable people.

They may not deserve to not pay taxes, but they GOD DAMN SURE deserve our admiration and respect.


ON EDIT:

I do, however, agree wholeheartedly that the so-called religions need to lose their tax shelter.

[Morning Dew]

20. If you answered NO to these questions - STFU.

[SoDesuKa]

15. Free Meal at Applebees

Show your DD214 at Applebee's on November 11th, get a free meal. It's how America "gives back" to its veterans.



It puts a lump in my throat.

[Ezlivin]

16. This veteran will show his DD214 to a Medical Marijuana Dispensary for some "extra" compassion

:)

[SoDesuKa]

19. And a Free Car

Sulking will not be tolerated. I didn't make you lose that damn war.