onedayatatime...."We will recieve severance pay, all in one lump sum, which will be taxed at 40% because it is considered a "bonus" LOL. Why is it that when people will need this money the most our government sees fit to take nearly half of it?"
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In reality...this is the WITHHOLDING rate...NOT the TAX rate.
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When you file your tax return, you will only be taxed at the "adjusted gross income" rate, which, unless you have serious other income, will be considerably less than "40%" and in which case, you will get a refund of the difference.

If property values go down, the tax rate will go up. Every year a budget is proposed, the total tax base is considered along with other sources of revenue and a mil rate is established to generate enough revenue to balance the budget. The increase is currently limited to a percentage dictated by the state. If there is a discrepancy between the proposed budget and the total projected revenue, the budget committee has to go back to the budget and cut allowances to various sectors to create a balanced budget. The state mandated percentage of increase can only be changed by a referendum.

Yep, I think it is time to leave.

w8nc:
Yes; that's all part of the big government sham. Everyone knows housing is WAY WAY down the past 2 years. Some states homes have dropped over 60% in value. Around here, just look at all the houses on the market, and the prices. Whatever you get your house assessed at, you'd NEVER get that amount for right now on the open market. This is just one big sham for Doyle-Robson, and all these BIG government, high taxers, to keep the $$$$ rolling in.

Notice in tough economic times, none of these clowns EVER suggests to cut back the government? Oh no, because they are the ones doing all the good for YOU (sarcasm), so they increases your taxes so they don't ever have to make any tough choices like the average working class person does.

Big businesses are vacating this state in mass, thanks to all the tax and regulation passed by the Doyle-Robson regime. Miller brewing will soon be the next. They will be moving their headquarters to the very business friendly state of Texas. It makes me laugh that all these democrats who so decry the evil "BIG" business fail to realize those businesses are the ones providing hundreds of jobs, and massive tax revenue. Maybe they will figure it out once the state is vacated of these businesses, unemployment goes up, and and their state budget is in complete shambles.

I am one of the people about to lose thier job due to company closings. We will recieve severance pay, all in one lump sum, which will be taxed at 40% because it is considered a "bonus" LOL. Why is it that when people will need this money the most our government sees fit to take nearly half of it? Property taxes, home energy, groceries, gas all are rising in cost and I am about to see my wages drop to nothing. I am educated with a degree but the Janesvill/Beloit job market is about to be flooded with others just like me, so my hope of getting a job locally are nonexistent. I worry that I won't be able to afford the gas to drive elswhere to work. I would suggest that our government could cut us a break by allowing milage to & from work as deductions on income tax, like that will ever happen. Wasn't one of the selling points given for allowing the lottery in Wis. that a percentage of proceeds would be used to offset property taxes? I think my last credit was $86, whoopie!

I have a feeling that come 2010, proprty tax in Janesville will change as well. Lord knows property value will go way down!!

I just got my assessment in the mail. My property was assessed at a higher value than last year. Even thoug no improvements were made and the housing market is so weak that you can buy a house like ours for less now than what we purchased it for two years ago. How do they figure my home value went up? If anything it should have stayed the same or went down.
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Can't the government sit tight for a while and keep taxes level in this economic environment???? It sure would help people out if they did.

Yes indeed Wisconsin is a tax hell. I moved from there three years ago to Indiana and my income taxes dropped in half and property taxes by a third. But for those of you left there, I wouldn't worry: the Democrats will soon control the entire legislature and they'll take care of it.

Wisconsin is a tax hell.

Have you ever heard of any state or federal employees being laid off? never. Maybe Judy Robson could lay off a couple of her staff. How many airplanes does the state of Wi still own? does anyone know?

hmmmmmmmmmm, maybe I will just quit my Job and let the state pay for me.
guess we do have options

WOW, I am going to move out of this state.
Wisconsin is getting way to expensive for my Family. We deserve better.

Yeah; the average person/family isn't hurting enough with gas/food/energy costs going up, so lets just take MORE of their $$ with HIGHER TAXES. Just your typical BIG government politicians looking out for YOU! They all know what's best for you, and the best way to spend your $$$, just ask them.

Probably could have been down to 3.7% if mine didn't go up 16%. Disgusting indeed...

The Governor and all his stupid men should all be slapped, Boy I think a chicken could of done better then these bozo's. BOY WHAT WONDERFUL DEMOCRATES YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. NOT

I am really starting to get sick and tired of our politicians! They do not care one iota about about how the economy is right now.

The schools have enough! This is getting ridiculous. What next!!!

NVgrf:
I am disillusioned. I thought that I had written the most insane thing you have read on this site just last week. Do you always question the sanity of those with whom you disagree? Are you practicing medicine without a license?
You know, when a person accuses everyone around him of being insane, the insanity may lie within rather than without. That is just the observation of a layman and not to be construed as medical advice, although you may benefit from, and therefore you might consider seeking same.

Somebody has got to pay for the last 8 years. And remember people voted for that gigantic school referendum.

ski-what's that stand for?
Some Kind of Idiot?

ski1357... With the current Democratic agenda your statement couldn't be any more true. Congratulations!
NVgrf... Just one thing, you do believe in personal responsibility don't you?

The first sentence of my comment was sarcasm. Yes I know property taxes are set locally but I figured since the legislature in this state wants to impose their will on everything else then maybe they could introduce a bill on property taxes as well. Although with the current Governor and legislature I hope not.
Interesting Idea here, why not use the Lottery proceeds to offset education? You do that and you kill two birds with one stone. No need to include education in property taxes. Like the story said "Taxes paid to schools are by far the largest chunk of a homeowner’s tax bill. They increased 7.4 percent this year." Other states use their Lotteries in this method and it works.

ski1357...Probably the most insane thing I have read on this site in months. Congratulations!

Hopefully this is a lesson on what happens when you vote Democrats into power.

cozat5, property taxes are set locally, by each school district (and some municipalities) -- not by the legislature.
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The "top ten" list that the state has dropped out of considers ALL taxes on a business in the state, not just property taxes.

cozat5, I agree when will we stand up and let them know we wont be taxed to death. remember out tax revolt in janesville a few years ago at Franklin? about 700 showed up and Schiefer and his hence men in the tax dept backed off reassessing our houses every year.

Everything else has gone up why not taxes too?
Makes me sick.Guess we need to get back in that top ten list for the most taxed states.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/30/real_est...

Its not really going matter much when nobody owns any houses or property for them to collect taxes on

Guess it's a good thing the state fell out of the top ten in taxes. Come on how can our legislature justify this. Better yet why do we the PEOPLE keep letting them get away with it. It is truly time to elect a government that will work for our interest and not their own.