Update on Breeders in Japan

[markgardner]

Aquitori

Yes it's a sales tax (Value Added Tax) imposed by our wonderful UK government.

Present rate 17.5%

Mark

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM Sanke56: It's all about being home.... transport all the people to another place and the community is gone. Californians all know their time will come.

True we Californians will know when our time comes but then again we have been through alot with earthquakes. The last one hit in 1989, kinda funny to be watchin the World Series when it hit, then watching the water leap out of my pool. I think with stricter earthquake and geological codes it would lessen the damage next time. It's sad to say but it is a hard lesson learned. We all have are fair share of natures wrath and we all take it, because we want to leave in a certain area. Anyways, It's funny to watch non-Californians panic when one hits...Then again I dont think we are concerned about earthquakes, but more in the lines of Rolling Blackouts!

[Bern]

I can vouch for the Californians contempt for quakes.


I was in LA sometime during the nineties when a 5.5 hit. I was working in a tower block near the airport and the building shook. The locals comments was "Wow that was a big one" and then they all just carried on with there work, with the one piece of advice "Restrict all phone calls to a minimum, so as not to impede the emergency services". The reaction was so low key that I forgot about it.

When I got back to the hotel that evening my wife was ready to pack up and go home. She'd been subjected to the endless 'public info bulletins' on the TV and then the News broadcasts showing the damage, which was quite substantial, and was at the end of her tether.

Next day, there was a booth set up outside the hotel with a guy selling T-shirts with the logo "I survived a 5.5".

When we got home all our families interogated us about the whole experience because it was a big news story in the UK. But for me, there was nothing to relate, the local attitude had dulled any potential worry, concern or excitement about the whole thing.

When I saw the results on the TV it was like looking at something on the other side of the world and yet it was only a few miles away.

rgds

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by markgardner Aquitori Yes it's a sales tax (Value Added Tax) imposed by our wonderful UK government. Present rate 17.5% Mark

Good lord! I thought our state tax was high 8.25%. I don't feel so bad...Plus I guess it's always good to pay cash when your buying something from your Koi Dealer.

[Jules]

Indeed V.A.T. stands for Value added tax + 17.5%. Yet another lovley financial sting our tremendous goverment hit us with. Not as bad as "saftey cameras" otherwise known as Stealth Tax for insureed drivers, blagh blagh blagh blagh blagh.Excuse my ranting.

Jules

[aquitori]

I guess it all benefits the people. I understand that everyone is given free health care in your country? Here in the states they dont even give it's citizens that much.

[Jules]

Indeed it may be free but it doesn't have the best reputation for speed, cleanliness however it is free and if you have the money to go private then options are there to facilitate this. I do love my country and like my hobby I gues there is always something you want to change. Lets see what the next elections bring round.

Jules

[MikeM]

We Americans should not think of the VAT as some strange tax. When GeorgeW talks about tax simplification, he leaves it unclear which group of his advisors he agrees with. One wants to keep the income tax, but make it a flat tax. The other wants to eliminate income taxes and replace with a VAT since that would encourage investment over consumption. Either way, gotta feel sorry for all those accountants whose livelihoods depend on tax complexity.

[James P]

Mike, the ' endangered' CPA is just the tip of the iceberg! Tax attorneys, pension planners, Insurance companies, trust companies, financial advisors - all affected. In fact whole areas of
social behavior- charitable giving, municipal spending, dinners for customers, effect of property taxes as a real expence, the car you buy,the rationalization that a big mortgage is saving you on taxes ( therefore the entire real estate industry) are all dramatically impacted.

I'm not saying these changes are bad. I'm just saying that the effects of such a fundamental change to our existing system must be considered very carefully. It is always the secondary and beyond effects that no one considered that have a way of turning roses into manure!

JR

[Vogata]

VAT = Mva and are for us 24% on its way too 25% if current proposals gets past.



If you like numbers what off this:

On income



To social benefits 7,8% off all (include in total under)



Up till 43 400€ 28%

Total up till 35,8%



Total for next 67 600€ 49,3%



Total all above this amount 69,8%



The funniest part is that many, if not most Norwegian don’t feel its to high. In fact there is about 47.5% that feel it could bee higher. Not that many you might think! The only thing is that the main theme for the rest is not lower taxation but a different way off implementing it.



All in all we generally seem satisfied with it. We want bore or insult with personal opinion, but non-off us would consider moving or leaving on this account. Its probably more what keeps up her near to the north pole.