S&P: United States of America 'AAA/A-1+' Ratings Placed On CreditWatch Negative On Rising Risk Of Policy Stalemate

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

Actually, Big Dog does bring up an interesting point, one I had not considered before.

If government decides to not take your money, then I continue to insist that is not government spending.

But if government decides to give you a 'refund' in excess of your total tax liability, that is government spending. Because you're not just keeping your money, your getting additional money you didn't actually earn.

that makes sense to me.

[^_^ 5,021]

...we could sit here and say that all of our government programs should just be converted into the tax code and then we can sit here and pretend that the US government is not running over 4 trillion dollars worth of programs.

You may have stumbled upon the solution we've all been looking for!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

i still don't consider it government spending,

It's not government spending when the government takes your tax dollar and gives it to someone else - either a person or a business - in the form of a tax credit that results in a negative tax liability for the recipient?

[mawilson 2,133]

It's not government spending when the government takes your tax dollar and gives it to someone else - either a person or a business - in the form of a tax credit that results in a negative tax liability for the recipient?

Negative tax liability - yes. Reduced tax liability? No.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Negative tax liability - yes. Reduced tax liability? No.

So, you're fine with the government dictating what activity to engage in to lower your tax liability?

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

It's not government spending when the government takes your tax dollar and gives it to someone else - either a person or a business - in the form of a tax credit that results in a negative tax liability for the recipient?

on eic, yes, i agree. that's what happens when i think i've answered the entire post - my answer was about the first part.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

on eic, yes, i agree. that's what happens when i think i've answered the entire post - my answer was about the first part.

It's not just EITC that creates negative tax liabilities.

[mawilson 2,133]

So, you're fine with the government dictating what activity to engage in to lower your tax liability?

Sure, it doesn't mean they are giving me money. I'm giving them less.