Smaller tax refunds put GOP on defensive

[mystery-ak]

Smaller tax refunds put GOP on defensive
By Naomi Jagoda - 02/18/19 02:20 PM EST

The Trump administration and key GOP lawmakers are playing defense after early data showed Americans are getting smaller tax refunds in the first filing season under the GOP tax law.

The average refund size through Feb. 8 was 8.7 percent smaller than the same period last year, according to IRS figures. Democrats have seized on the numbers, arguing they prove that the 2017 tax-code overhaul by Republicans was a “scam” designed to help the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

Republicans have pushed back, emphasizing that most people are seeing a reduction in their total tax liability and that smaller refunds are preferable because they mean taxpayers were paying a more accurate amount throughout the year via their paychecks.

“Critics of the tax cuts are squealing that lower refunds means that taxpayers are paying more in taxes. That argument is pure hogwash,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in a statement Friday, as part of a Q&A document published by his office.

more
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/430305-smaller-tax-refunds-put-gop-on-defensive

[Sanguine]

Hmmm.  Who could have anticipated this? 

Oh, yeah, any reasonable person.  And, should have been explaining it all along so that this could not be used as a propaganda item now. 

[Mesaclone]

Smaller tax refunds put GOP on defensive
By Naomi Jagoda - 02/18/19 02:20 PM EST

The Trump administration and key GOP lawmakers are playing defense after early data showed Americans are getting smaller tax refunds in the first filing season under the GOP tax law.

The average refund size through Feb. 8 was 8.7 percent smaller than the same period last year, according to IRS figures. Democrats have seized on the numbers, arguing they prove that the 2017 tax-code overhaul by Republicans was a “scam” designed to help the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

Republicans have pushed back, emphasizing that most people are seeing a reduction in their total tax liability and that smaller refunds are preferable because they mean taxpayers were paying a more accurate amount throughout the year via their paychecks.

“Critics of the tax cuts are squealing that lower refunds means that taxpayers are paying more in taxes. That argument is pure hogwash,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said in a statement Friday, as part of a Q&A document published by his office.

more
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/430305-smaller-tax-refunds-put-gop-on-defensive

Are Americans really this dumb...that they need someone to explain to them that lower overall income tax rates with a LOT less withholding will equate to a smaller refund? Really?

I guess we should have cut the rates and RAISED the withholding...so everyone can feel happy when they get a big chunk at filing time. Its idiocy, but apparently it would make the unwashed morons "feel" good.

[Sanguine]

Are Americans really this dumb...that they need someone to explain to them that lower overall income tax rates with a LOT less withholding will equate to a smaller refund? Really?

I guess we should have cut the rates and RAISED the withholding...so everyone can feel happy when they get a big chunk at filing time. Its idiocy, but apparently it would make the unwashed morons "feel" good.

Yes, they are.   

[mystery-ak]

Hmmm.  Who could have anticipated this? 

Oh, yeah, any reasonable person.  And, should have been explaining it all along so that this could not be used as a propaganda item now.

Exactly..The Repub's failed again to explain one of their policies when they did this...all they had to say is *more in your weekly pay, less of a tax refund*....

[edpc]

Its idiocy, but apparently it would make the unwashed morons "feel" good.

Kind of like that fake 10% tax cut before the midterms?

[dfwgator]

Why can't people figure out that a refund means that you gave the government an interest-free loan.

[Fishrrman]

Gee...
My reported income went up by about $2,000, and my refund more than doubled from $439 (2017) to $1,014 (2018)...

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Hmmm.  Who could have anticipated this? 

Oh, yeah, any reasonable person.  And, should have been explaining it all along so that this could not be used as a propaganda item now.

I don't think explaining it would help with most people.  They could see their paycheck go up by $50, but if they got a $1 refund last year and had to write a $1 check this year...

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Ha, this is the folks in the blue states who rely heavily on subsidizing their high state income taxes on the backs of Uncle Sam.

Not happening to ordinary folks.

[montanajoe]

For many families with more than 3 kids doing away with the personal exemption is the big reason refunds are lower. A family with 3,4,5,6... kids gets a $24,000 standard deduction where before each additional kid reduced their taxable income by $4000.

The GOP simply is not family friendly with their tax policy no matter how much they try to push that line of bullshit..

[XenaLee]

I used to know a lady that was a department manager at the company where I worked that bragged, every year, about getting a refund over $2,000.   I didn't have the heart to tell her how really stupid that was.  She was too content with and proud of her stupidity.