Hawaii Senate approves nation’s highest income tax

[randomq]

you're going to avoid paying state taxes even though this tax hike wouldn't affect you?

State/County lack any fiscal responsibility; tax increases are inevitable, and they will affect everyone whether directly or indirectly. Better to be prepared than scramble for a strategy at the last minute.

Probably should move to somewhere that is fiscally responsible then instead of basically stealing while everyone else pays taxes.

1. If you think everyone else is paying (their fair share of) taxes here you're naive.  Look at the property taxes on our largest land owners.  Look at the tax breaks and free infrastructure work they receive.

2. The county has been stealing from Puna for decades through lack of services and roads. Should we pay for services not received?

In any case, my (local) work is such that I can't structure my income like kalakoa, so I guess I'll still be on the hook...

[kalakoa]

Look at the property taxes on our largest land owners.

Because it's "critical to the economy" when Shipman does it, but it's "stealing" when individuals do it.

I am not willing to pay more taxes for less services. It's that simple.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Because it's "critical to the economy"...

If an individual owns multiple properties, some taxed at the highest rate and assessments continue to rise over time, a time might come when their tax bill becomes a burden and they'll be forced to sell a property or lose it.  It's likely they're told they should be happy, they'll get a good price, even though they'd prefer not to sell.

If a large landowner receives a low valuation on their holdings in conjunction with the lowest tax rate they are in effect corporate squatters.  They can use their property (or not) as they see fit with little contribution to the common good.  If they were taxed like the rest of us, a time might come when they'd be put in the same situation as individuals and need to sell off a portion of their holdings if or when their overall tax payments became too great.  Perhaps some the land they'd need to sell could then become a second access road to Puna.

Fair tax rates means everyone contributes appropriately which could even, eventually, result in better access for drivers and homeowners in Puna.  Win-win.

[kalakoa]

TMK 160010160000: 4305 acres, $32582 taxes = $7.5/acre.

Random HA lot: 3 acres, $200 taxes = $66.66/acre. Rough estimate for "entire subdivision": $66.66 x 4000 = $266640.

Which landowner gets more services from County?

If Shipman were forced to pay the $66 rate, the above TMK would generate $286971. That's an extra $250K/year from one TMK. If the "onerous" taxation forces a sale, the new owner might actually do something with the land. At the very least, diversified land ownership would enhance the democratic process, because none of the owners would be powerful enough to demand (and get) their own traffic light (for example).

Will paying more taxes get me paved roads, piped water, sewer service (none of which I actually want) or maybe a nearby "village commercial" area?

Shipman will be making a ton of money with New Keaau. Are the rest of us allowed to upzone and subdivide our property? I can't even run a (legal) ag tourism operation under the current regulations. Will paying more taxes fix any of those problems, or just guarantee raises for the ruling elite?

[eightfingers2.0]

Stop voting for the free stuff. It’s that simple.

[terracore]

Does anybody think Billy Kenoi would have paid his hostess bar tab he charged to the taxpayers if he didn't get caught?

The corruption and grift is perpetrated at the top. If us peasants can scheme ways to avoid contributing to the cost of crimes committed by our elected officials and their network of union and other criminals then we're just playing by the rules of the game they created. Kalakoa didn't invent the Delaware corporation work around, the law makers did it for themselves hoping that it would be too expensive or confusing for us peasants to figure out.

[kalakoa]

the law makers did it for themselves

On that note ... read through the exemptions afforded by HRS 237.29, then let's talk about who's "paying their fair share".

[Kaimana]

you're going to avoid paying state taxes even though this tax hike wouldn't affect you?

State/County lack any fiscal responsibility; tax increases are inevitable, and they will affect everyone whether directly or indirectly. Better to be prepared than scramble for a strategy at the last minute.

Probably should move to somewhere that is fiscally responsible then instead of basically stealing while everyone else pays taxes.

1. If you think everyone else is paying (their fair share of) taxes here you're naive.  Look at the property taxes on our largest land owners.  Look at the tax breaks and free infrastructure work they receive.

2. The county has been stealing from Puna for decades through lack of services and roads. Should we pay for services not received?

In any case, my (local) work is such that I can't structure my income like kalakoa, so I guess I'll still be on the hook...

1. I don't think that's something you should base your decisions off of. With that line of thinking since we now know Kalakoa isn't going to pay their taxes, nobody should. 

2. Is there any proof to this? I'm pretty sure what's happening is that the county is spending money where they think it's need most. If you disagree with that take that up with them or move. Don't stop paying your taxes.

---

Does anybody think Billy Kenoi would have paid his hostess bar tab he charged to the taxpayers if he didn't get caught? 

The corruption and grift is perpetrated at the top.  If us peasants can scheme ways to avoid contributing to the cost of crimes committed by our elected officials and their network of union and other criminals then we're just playing by the rules of the game they created.  Kalakoa didn't invent the Delaware corporation work around, the law makers did it for themselves hoping that it would be too expensive or confusing for us peasants to figure out.

If Billy Kenoi spending taxpayers money at hostess bars saved the Island hundreds of thousands of dollars, would you be ok with it?

[randomq]

1. I don't think that's something you should base your decisions off of. With that line of thinking since we now know Kalakoa isn't going to pay their taxes, nobody should. 

2. Is there any proof to this? I'm pretty sure what's happening is that the county is spending money where they think it's need most. If you disagree with that take that up with them or move. Don't stop paying your taxes.

1. I pay my taxes, but I'm not going to pay more than I am obligated. The future of my ohana and neighbors is more important to me than more government jobs in Hilo, a tax break for Shipman, or paying contractors billions for Oahu rail. Perhaps your priorities are different.

2. The County lost a civil rights ruling in 2000 on that very subject. We have had some receptive Puna council members, but ultimately they cannot get things passed with the rest of the council.

3. Please stop telling people to move if they don't like something. Things change, hopefully for the better if we all start paying attention.

[My 2 cents]

I did a knee jerk on "since we now know Kalakoa isn't going to pay their taxes". He's simply structuring so that he pays less taxes. The only difference between this and what the large corporations do is that the amount of taxes that they avoid is much, much larger. (I'm assuming Kalakoa isn't a billionaire). If what Kalakoa is doing is legal, then I would suggest that your comment borders on slander.