Tax Day Blues: Economic Stimulus or Handout?

It's April 15. Do you know where your tax return is?

This year, congress passed and President Bush signed an economic stimulus bill. The package will pay $600 to most individual taxpayers and $1,200 to married taxpayers filing joint returns, so long as they are below income caps of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

So, many (most) owners of small to mid-sized businesses will not be receiving said checks because we earn too much money.

That's right: Those who work the hardest - those who pay the most taxes - will not be participating in this "stimulus" program.

And yet, those on the lower end of the income spectrum - some of whom have virtually no earnings and no taxes paid in - will receive "rebate" checks. My question: How can you rebate something that wasn't paid in the first place?

If the real reason for the checks is to stimulate the economy, why not get them in everyone's hands?

If they really are rebate checks, why not issue rebates to those who have paid the most taxes?

Please don't misunderstand ... I'm not berating those with low incomes. I'm berating the government for engaging in "social engineering" and trying to pass it off as economic stimulus.

If Congress wants to give handouts, they should have the courage to call them handouts. If our elected officials want to buy votes, they should have the courage to say so. To do otherwise is to insult the intelligence of the American people.

And, our elected officials should show appreciation for American entrepreneurs. We take the risks, work long hours, create jobs, innovate, train people, and otherwise stimulate our economy.

Instead of their thanks, they frequently show disdain for business owners by piling on high tax rates, fees, and unreasonable amounts of regulation and red tape. To add insult to injury, they withhold tax rebate stimulus checks from us.

It's not about the twelve hundred bucks. Most of us could care less about the money. It's the principle. It's the appreciation and acknowledgement - or lack thereof.

Leaving high achievers out of the tax stimulus program is a slap in the face and a kick in the gut.

Maybe we need a "no entrepreneur left behind" program.

What do you think? Please post your comments and let me know!

Bill Collier
www.collierbiz.com