got my paycheck with a year-end bonus/commission after a killer December...biggest paycheck I've ever received.

then I saw the taxes that were taken out on it...

if you'd like to see how there putting all that money to good use, now is the time to go by one of the following places. stereo shop, hair and nail salon, tattoo shop, shoe store, used car dealership and local dopemans house.

the amount for Social Security, which I'll likely never see again, was particularly infuriating. It's absurd that an individual is not allowed to fully manage their own retirement with their own money.

Y'all that are still working have to pay for all of us retirees benefits since the government stole all of the money that we put into the social security trust fund that was supposed to take care of it. It is now the biggest ponzi scheme in history

Just wait until you start hearing about the folks that only work a few days a week (if at all) that get a federal return of 5-8 thousand dollars "back" from the IRS.
It's enough to make your blood boil!
I bust my hump working 60-80 hours a week and pay into a system that gives this kind of money to folks that won't work!
My wife and I usually get a return of a couple hundred bucks from the IRS and maybe 50 or so from the state.
I always figured it was best to work it out so that you come out even when you file.
But, these folks that "can't wait till I get my income tax" pizz me off!!
Not to mention the SS tax that I am never going to see!

studying a W2 will piss you off as well

I know how you feel. I took a buy out from a previous employer, the feds got 35k. You want to feel sick at your stomach, I did just thinking about how they spend 35k of my money.

No doubt....I have relatively close family that fits that description perfectly. I absolutely loathe them for it. Totally worthless. No reason, physically or mentally, that they can't work - they just choose not to and get away with it.

I've come to realize if I only work around 55 hours a week I can make just about as much as when I work 80. If you work more than 60 hours a week your just feeding somebody else Kid's. The money I get cut for health benefits is outrageous.

Don't even get me started, I am trying to keep my blood pressure in check

10 percent for God is good enough should be that for govt aint gona happen what Hay2Hunt says bout right

37.5% on my quarterly bonuses.. Pisses me off every time.

Imagine 2.5x that amount being stolen once uncle Bernie become King.

Dang I wish I wouldnt of seen this. It makes me sick as well. More so in the summer months because my checks and bonuses are usually 25-50% more than the winter time. I would just assume get all the dang money I earn then be forced to drive down to the Hood and hand out hundreds or dollars worth of groceries weekly. At least I'd know the money was well spent and Exactly who the heck I'm supporting on my hard earned dime.

Take out federal, state,SSI,raise of healthcare premiums etc. and it'll start adding up quick fast and in a hurry!

Heck at least yall get bonuses sheesh. But yeah I grit so hard I bout break a tooth when I see my W2 every year.

I'm just guessing, but I would assume that is a very very small percentage of where our tax money is used.

EDIT: 11% according to the first reputable looking site I found.

http://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-where-do-our-federal-tax-dollars-go

Up your 401k,it could drop you to a lower tax bracket because more will get taken out before taxes and less of your money is getting taxed with more going into a retirement account

Weekend before last I worked a unit start-up and I was looking at close to 20 hours of excess straight time this pay period... instead I just chose to take off Thursday and Friday. I can always make more money, but I will never get time back.

It's supposed to be a nice weekend up at the cabin and I'm going to get a last little bit of deer hunting in and drink some whiskey by the camp fire. Maybe take the Ruger 10/22 out into the WMA and see if I can touch off a squirrel or two.

Oh I know. It's used on a lot of frivolous things and funds a bunch of bs as well.

meanwhile, education and medical research stay at 2%
transportation infrastructure at 3%