4.15.2009

tax day in the old north state

It's a forgone conclusion that I am unhappy about income tax, generally. So I'll not belabor that point.

I do want to say a word or two about the state income tax in North Carolina, however.

NC's tax rate in our bracket is not as high as, say, California's. That is as it should be. It's only slightly lower than Oregon's--a place I would very much prefer to live, if we ever manage to land two jobs there--though it is worth noting that Oregon has no sales tax (it's 7% here), which I imagine puts Oregon ahead overall.

It is noteworthy that NC's rates (in our bracket at least) are higher than both "Taxechusetts" and New York. For the life of me, I don't know what I get for it. It certainly isn't forward-thinking transportation infrastructure, or a pleasant and efficient DMV.

To be sure, income tax isn't everything (see the example of Oregon, above.) Property taxes, gas taxes (NC's are the highest in the southeastern US), etc., also make a big difference; my observations here are by no means a complete assessment of the relative tax burden of the several states.

But what really gets me is the sheer retardedness of NC's D-400-TC form, which clocks in at a whopping 6 pages, sends you flipping back and forth to do calculations that could be handled in a much more straightforward manner, and (to top it all off) won't give you .pdf file in which you can save changes. And to add insult to injury, they instruct you to add a "consumer use tax" to recapture the sales tax they assume you would have otherwise paid on money you had the temerity to spend somewhere other than North Carolina. (There's a table that's essentially a straight percentage of your income. Then it says you can make an adjustment if you feel you owe more or less. Guess what I adjust mine to?)

I love Durham, and will miss it when I'm gone. But the State of North Carolina leaves much to be desired. I look forward to taking my income elsewhere.

9 comments:

Taryn said...

The state of Oregon also gives you a "kicker" refund check if they collect more tax than they expect. Pretty sweet.

My company is pretty much always hiring if either/both of you wants to sell your soul and work for the man. It sucks in some ways but is well worth being able to live in the great state of Oregon.

Gino said...

he already works for The Man.

i wouldnt mind living in OR myself, although i'm thiking i would be picking a different part of the state than brian would.

Brian said...

I pretty much feel I sold at least a piece of my soul for my current position. I wish I was kidding about that, but I'm really not.

I will keep this in mind. Thanks, T.

Brian said...

It should also be said the at the company for which Taryn works is sufficiently huge and influential as to be considered The Man as well...

Dave said...

Ah...it sure is nice to be able to escape the burden of state taxation. Of course, I have to vote in California (vice where I live) as a result. Sure I have no voice in local politics, but it beats flushing $200 a month down the drain.

Brian said...

If your state income taxes would only be $200 a month, you'd be getting off easy...

rob said...

A-L-A-S-K-A...no income tax. no sales tax. And they hand out free money in October. All you have to put up with is Palin and she is out of state at anti-abortion rallies most of the time.

Brian said...

I'm sold--gotta convince m to live in a place with snow again, first...

marsha said...

never. i'd rather pay taxes than live in a place with snow on the ground for more than a few hours.