bob44044 Loc: Ohio

Your correct. They leave California because liberals have destroyed the state. The only problem is when they move somewhere to get away from the staggeringly high cost of living and taxes, they vote that same shit in again destroying yet another state. They're just stupid.

Largobob

Not weeping here at all.

If you READ the details, it helps explain the cause and effect. Population dense states (more people=more taxpayers); wealthier states (more income=more tax); states with more large corporations (corporate taxes); high employment rate (more FICA and Medicare deductions paid in)....each contribute to Fed. tax collection.

Now for the payout to the states: States with high populations of retired and aging (Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits); states having large government installations and government employees (salaries and benefits of gov't employees) get "credit" for high Federal payouts.

I'm not sure what your original premise was of offering this observation. It is, to the rational observer, totally understandable and predictable based on the demographics.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

If it's so great there why are some many people leaving the state? How about that bud?

FotoPhreak Loc: Whittier, CA

California has the fifth largest economy in the world, so it is hard to knock the state. But taxes are way to high and housing costs are astronomical. But if you are bright and talented, you can become very prosperous. My Berkeley grad daughter, who started working for an accounting firm in SF 5 years ago, decided to test the job waters a few months ago. She accepted an offer for $50K more than she was making. Another company she interviewed with matched that offer. My daughter's fiance (also a Berkeley grad) had been working as a consultant to Google, but last year he went to work for YouTube as regular employee and got a large signing bonus, stock options and a few other perks. Last year they purchased a condo together up in the SF area, where the housing costs are insane. My daughter has a friend from high school (also a Berkeley grad) who majored in engineering and ended working for a startup company. They developed a product that they were able to sell and her friend ended up with enough money that she really doesn't have to work anymore. So, at least for some people, California remains the land of golden opportunity. But sadly, not everyone is able to jump on the stairway to wealth. In the business community there is the diminishing belief in giving back to the community that made you successful. That belief might explain California's liberal bent and willingness to tax the wealthy and give to those who struggle in life.

bob44044 Loc: Ohio

The vast majority of people in that state do not prosper. If you want to talk about the disparity between the haves and the have nots. California is the Poster Boy.

camerabuff58 Loc: Ontario, Canada,

Try 23% on income earned and a clawback of 30% if you are unfortunate enough to have to collect unemployment benefits...sucks in Canada

scatman Loc: Waterbury, CT

NH is a steal compared to CT.

spokie

Despite the “staggering high cost” we have a higher standard of living and can still help the less fortunate, (welfare); and more taxes to the federal government to help the poorer states (that you say we are ruining). The reason some people are moving is that they don’t have what it takes to live here.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You're lucky you're getting a refund. Many people will get a smaller refund or have to pay. The change in the tax code didn't work out too well for a lot of people.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

You have the opportunity in this country to be a millionaire as well!

exakta56 Loc: Orford,New Hampshire

The opportunity to become a millionaire...that is the dream of so many. The reality is that most will spend their lives working a 9 to 5 job and then retire. Look at any graph indicating wealth distribution in the US. Vast majority live well but not really 'rich' while .001 % have 40% of wealth and bitch about paying their fair share in taxes.

Ollieboy

Tax refunds have nothing to do with your tax rate. It simply means you overpaid on your tax witholding. It's not rocket science.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Sorry folks, but IMHO the people we should be annoyed at are the millions who have their hand out, live on the dole rather than get a job, OK, I live in Tax Hell, but it isn't necessary, Those of us who have paid in for 50 or 60 years and didn't get big handouts got gypped, play through school, don't get trained for anything, sign up for every available freebie, and cry, that's seems to be the smart way!
Better get flame proof pants out!

Schwabo Loc: Florida

That is why I moved to Florida.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Those Billionaires own companies that hire millions of people. How many poor people have you worked for? They also pay millions in income taxes already. Just how much of their money is fair to you! 80-90%? At what point do these rich people who employ millions of people decide, screw this, I have money to live on, and shut down the factory?

The nice thing about America is that every one of us has the opportunity to get an education, work hard and become a Billionaire. We are not all equal but we all do have equal opportunity.

Dennis