Quote:
Originally Posted by McIntosh
Hello,
I've heard some myths about the US over the years. I'm hoping you guys can clear some of them up for me.
True or false?:
- Alaska
* No income tax in Alaska.
* You can still claim (in certain areas) a piece of land and make it your own. (like in the Klondyke years)
* Every year Alaskans are payed royalties for oil etc that the state earns money on.
- Montana
* There are no speed limits.
- All states
* Everybody can buy and own a gun.
* Everybody can apply to get a permit to carry a concealed gun.
* Cars cost next to nothing.
* When you own a plot of land, you REALLY own it. (instead of the quasi-communism stuff we have in Europe)
* When an American citizen moves to another country to work, he/she will STILL have to pay taxes to America. (are they exempt from paying in the country they work in, then?)
Enlighten me, please.
Thanks.  |
* No income tax in Alaska.
There is no state income tax in Alaska. You still must pay federal income tax.
* You can still claim (in certain areas) a piece of land and make it your own. (like in the Klondyke years)
I don't know about this one, but if it is true, it won't be anywhere near anything.
* Every year Alaskans are payed royalties for oil etc that the state earns money on
That's still true, I think, but the amount has been shrinking.
* There are no speed limits
That used to be true, except that it was illegal to drive in a manner unsafe for conditions. Then they had limits because of federal rules. When the federal rules were lifted, Montana dropped the speed limits. Road deaths skyrocketed. The limits were put back on.
* Everybody can buy and own a gun.
Adults without criminal records or mental defiiciencies can buy and own a gun. The gun must be registered with the government and the owner will be given a gun permit. A background check will be run before the gun is sold, unless it is purchased at a gun show.
* Everybody can apply to get a permit to carry a concealed gun.
Some states don't have concealed carry laws at all. Florida's, for instance, is fairly new. You have to complete a training course to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
* Cars cost next to nothing.
Compared to some countries, this is true.
* When you own a plot of land, you REALLY own it. (instead of the quasi-communism stuff we have in Europe)
Haven't a clue what you mean because I don't know anything about European property law.
* When an American citizen moves to another country to work, he/she will STILL have to pay taxes to America. (are they exempt from paying in the country they work in, then?)
America taxes its citizens on their worldwide income. There are exclusions for those who live abroad, for a portion of their foreign income, in the $80,000-90,000 per year range, I think. Any money earned above that amount, if you qualify for the exclusion, is added to your other income and taxes are imposed. If you paid taxes to a foreign government, you can take credit for them on your US income, Ithink.
In addition, some countries have tax treaties with the US and all sorts of things are different for those covered.