The Wine Commonsewer

TWC Rebate Red Blend + Stimulus Checks

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

TWC Rebate Red Blend is a private label specialty wine made by Darryl Heirendt of Sunset Ridge Vineyards and a couple of friends. Yes, TWC, is, precisely, exactly, The Wine Commonsewer. Is that cool? Or what?

It's a blend of Petit Syrah, Petit Verdot, and a little Cabernet. Naturally, since we were grilling steaks  the other night, we popped one of the bottles. Yummy stuff indeed. The Rebate Red is drinking nicely now and easily clobbers many of the over-the-counter reds you'll run into at Bev-Mo or Trader Joe's.

This is just a hobby for these guys, but this is marketable wine. TWC is grateful to be on the short list of those who've shared it.

Thanks guys. My UPS guy is jealous.

Wondering about YOUR rebate?  I guess it's a stimulus check. Wait. A stimulus check? Isn't that something Eliot Spitzer gives the hooker?

All the skinny on the retroactive tax cut here. Dave Barry's take here.

As Always,

TWC

Estimated Tax Payments

Gentle Readers,

Calendar year taxpayers: Installment number two of your 2008 estimated tax payments is due June 16, 2008.

By definition, a calendar year taxpayer is almost every individual and almost every organization (or entity) except fiscal year corporations.

As Always,

TWC

Prop 98 Fails (Your Tax Dollars At Work)

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Californios emphatically rejected a ballot initiative that would have dramatically reduced the ability of politically well-connected developers to use eminent domain to acquire private property.

I don't think anybody was hoodwinked, most voters don't care. Unless it's their ox being gored. John Q is much more concerned with aesthetics and property values than with property rights. Nearly every person I know is okay with Kelo-style eminent domain to some degree. It's all situational. If the blight is offensive enough, well, no problema, send in the bulldozers.

One look at opposition funding and you get a clear picture of who benefits and how big the stakes were.....

Opponents spent about $11.3 million, much of it from the League of California Cities, California State Assn. of Counties and California Redevelopment Assn.

I'm curious. How is it legal for tax supported agencies to spend tax money, forcibly extracted from the wallets of the general public, to lobby for (or against) legislation?

Enjoy your new mall, brought to you by Costco and friends, courtesy of your former next door neighbor.

As Always,

TWC

California: Yes on 98 Either You Own The Property Or You Are The Property

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

Today is Election Day (again) in Californicate because it simply makes no sense to hold the state primary election on the same date as the federal primary election. But more important than choosing who will stab you in the eye with a sharp stick and take your money is the question of who will stab you in the eye with pitchfork and take your land.

Today, by voting yes on Prop 98, you have an opportunity to restrain politically well-connected developers from hopping into the sack with tax-paid government officials with an eye to bettering the neighborhood by sending the bulldozers to your house.

UPDATE: Several people pointed out that voting NO on 99 is pretty important as well.

We're rerunning the screed today. Pay close attention.

It comes as no surprise that Governor Schwarzzengroper, a man who makes ex-governor Moonbeam look sensible, opposes a ballot initiative that would prevent local government from seizing your property for the benefit of wealthy, politically well-connected developers and corporations like Costco.

Legal battles came to a head.....when Cypress officials tried to take Cottonwood's land at the corner of Katella Avenue and Walker Street for Costco. Church officials fought back and in 2003 agreed to a land swap selling the city its land and buying a larger neighboring property.

After a three year battle, the city agreed to a compromise and then paid the church 18 million for the land. Costco then bought the land from the city for 12.5 million. Some people call that your tax dollars at work. I call it corporate welfare.

Despite Poletown and Kelo, and despite what Souter and the Supers think, the real Constitution prohibits any taking of private property except for public use and then only after due process and upon payment of a fair price.

No person shall be . . . deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Not to mention the ethical and moral considerations implicit in this question: Whose property is it anyway?

Put another way, you either own the property or you are the property.

As Ever,

TWC

Original Sin: 1913 Style

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

The first year the federales taxed personal incomes was 1913. A married couple paid ZERO income tax until the net taxable income exceeded $84,920.00 (inflation adjusted).

For taxable incomes between $84,920 and $424,601.00 (inflation adjusted) the tax rate was ONE PERCENT. That's $4,246.00 on an income of four hundred grand and change.

Tax Freedom Day was January 30 not April 23.

Original four page tax 1913 return here.

Kind of helps put our three trillion dollar federal budget and the trillion dollar war into perspective. Eh?

Have a nice afternoon. Don't spend your Stimulus Payment all in one bar.

As Always,

TWC

Yes On California Proposition 98 You Either Own The Property or You Are The Property

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

It comes as no surprise that Governor Schwarzzengroper, a man who makes ex-governor Moonbeam look sensible, opposes a ballot initiative that would prevent local government from seizing your property for the benefit of wealthy, politically well-connected developers and corporations like Costco.

Legal battles came to a head.....when Cypress officials tried to take Cottonwood's land at the corner of Katella Avenue and Walker Street for Costco. Church officials fought back and in 2003 agreed to a land swap selling the city its land and buying a larger neighboring property.

After a three year battle, the city agreed to a compromise and then paid the church 18 million for the land. Costco then bought the land from the city for 12.5 million. Some people call that your tax dollars at work. I call it corporate welfare.

Despite Poletown and Kelo, and despite what Souter and the Supers think, the real Constitution prohibits any taking of private property except for public use and then only after due process and upon payment of a fair price.

No person shall be . . . deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Not to mention the ethical and moral considerations implicit in this question: Whose property is it anyway?

Put another way, you either own the property or you are the property.

As Ever,

TWC

If You Take A Walk, I'll Tax Your Feet

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

As promised, Tax Freedom Day in America arrived on April 23, 2008. That means, on average, you worked from New Year's Day until April 22 to pay your taxes. As you mop your brow with a ratty doo rag in relief, you may wonder what the Takers, er, I mean the Taxers will tax next.

As Ever,

TWC

Can't see the video? It's here.

Tip of the glass to Freedom Talks

Where's My Rebate?

Good Morning Gentle Readers,

To be at the front of the line you should have mailed your return by about April 1. Electronic filers had a few days more breathing room, but it still takes IRS several days to process electronic returns, so figure April 5th, anyway.

The first batch of payments will be sent to those who had refunds electronically deposited and whose tax returns were PROCESSED by IRS by April 15. That's processed, not postmarked.

If you were in that group, your rebate will be automatically deposited anywhere from early to late May depending upon the last two digits of your (the primary taxpayer) social security number. For example, the first payments will be made electronically May 2 to the accounts of refund taxpayers whose Social Security numbers end in 00 to 20.  If a paper check is issued instead, it will be released between mid-May and late June, again depending upon social security number.

The rumor mill has it that if you filed an extension, you don't get a rebate. That isn't true unless you file after October 15, 2008. The timing will be on a rolling schedule throughout the year based upon when IRS gets your return. If you file within a reasonably short time after April 15, it will delay your rebate, but you should see a check by mid-summer.

One thing: If you want the rebate you have to file a return, even if you do not have any taxable income.

As Ever,

TWC

The Economic Stimulus Payment

Gentle Readers,

Dave Barry explains how the Economic Stimulus Payment (tax rebate) that's got the populace drooling actually works. Checks to be mailed in late May or early June.

Be sure to mail your return in a timely manner, because this year, filing taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?

A. Shut up.

As Always,

TWC

Glass tip to Mrs TWC

Heinlein On Tax

Good Evening Gentle Readers,

As we bid a fond adieu to Tax Day here in America I'll leave you with an observation about strong drink and tax collectors.....

Be wary of strong spirits. It can make you shoot at tax collectors ... and miss.

I believe that it is, in fact, wine-thirty. And while the existence of a smooth tax season is fantasy, this one was certainly less stressful than the last two.

Thank you.

As Ever,

The Wine Commonsewer