California Voters Appear to Favor Higher Taxes for the Wealthy

It’s no secret that California has one of the highest tax rates in the country, especially when it comes to the wealthiest taxpayers. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when back in 2012 residents voted in favor of Prop. 30, which installed a temporary income tax hike on the wealthy. Now fast-forward to 2016 and that proposition is set to expire.
However, those affected by the tax may not being seeing tax any relief anytime soon. That’s because this year’s ballot includes a new proposition that aims to keep those increases in place. Proposition 55, which would extend the temporary income taxes for all those who make more than $250,000 annually, reportedly has the backing of a majority of the state’s voters.
According to a recent survey amongst more than 3,000 registered California voters, 65.3 percent of the participants said they are in favor of extending the tax hikes. Seventy-eight percent of democrats supports the proposition, while only 46 percent of republicans support it.
The study also found that in general most voters felt that their current level of taxation was too high, with republicans outnumbering democrats in that category 73 percent to 50 percent. Time will tell how this turns out, but if these numbers are an accurate indication then it looks like come November California’s wealthiest residents won’t have much to celebrate when it comes to taxes.
http://news.berkeley.edu/2016/08/16/new-poll-californians-back-extending-taxes-on-wealthy-upping-cigarette-tax/
Have a Tax Issue With the IRS? You Could Always Take Them to Court
What would you do if the IRS makes a decision you don’t agree with? For example, let’s say you file a tax return and send it in expecting to receive a refund of $1,500. However, a few weeks later, instead of receiving your refund, you get a letter in the mail informing you that you…
Will Fewer Audits Lead to More Cheating?
There’s an old saying that cheaters never prosper. Of course, there are probably many people who have gotten away with cheating that would beg to differ. When it comes to taxes, however, it’s always best to avoid cheating. Surely, some people do get away with it, but if you ever get caught it could cost…
Could a Trust Be a Good Way for the Wealthy to Save on Taxes?
When you think of trusts, what comes to mind? While many people think of a financial account that is set up as part of an estate plan, there are a couple of little-known trusts that taxpayers, especially the wealthy, can use to help them save on their tax bill. These trusts are perfectly legal and…
How to Avoid Tax Preparation Scams
With so much to do and so many other important things to worry about, many people will be looking for help over the coming weeks and months with their income tax returns. While some people might just choose the first name they see to file their taxes, whom you choose can actually make a big…