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Why are farmers tax exempt?


RedRocket1647545505

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Seriously. I get farmers (you can usually spot them right away) that come into my work all the time. They'll ask to rent something, I'll start writing up the rental contract, and then they'll almost always blurt out, "Farm use." or, "I'm tax exempt."

 

WTF?

 

What do they contribute to society that allows them to skip out on paying taxes? I've got to pay them. I'm sure 99% of you have to pay them. So why is it that everytime they purchase something, they get a break? Do other members of society (for the most part) not contribute to the country as a whole? Would they get their farm job accomplished if I didn't rent them the equipment?

 

Just something that's been on my mind that I've been meaning to ask about/discuss.

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I should state that, I'm not hating. Just wondering why they get all the breaks. Pure curiousity.

 

It has to do with the fact of food being exempt from sales tax, so the costs in food production is also exempt. You have to apply and be approved to receive an exempt status.

 

My parent's had exempt status for years due to 12 acres of soybean/corn fields.

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It has to do with the fact of food being exempt from sales tax, so the costs in food production is also exempt. You have to apply and be approved to receive an exempt status.

 

My parent's had exempt status for years due to 12 acres of soybean/corn fields.

 

Legit answer. Thanks. Though, I still feel that some abuse it.

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you can get alot of shit tax exempt if you own a farm of some type.... i'lll beat ur step dad gets tax exempt stuff too austin.. but ur not complaning r ya.

 

 

 

on another not, why when you buy a car you pay tax, then you sell it and that guy pays tax, then he sells and pays tax. how many times can tehy tax one damn thing....

 

 

 

 

 

 

also, if you save your recpts of stuff you buy and the state tax adds up to more then you paid in taxes that year you can use that instead of whats on your check....

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why when you buy a car you pay tax, then you sell it and that guy pays tax, then he sells and pays tax. how many times can tehy tax one damn thing....

 

How many times can you sell it?

 

 

Really, everyone and their mother lies about how much they paid for the car on their title. I see it all the time.

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So never gave any thought to this, but here's the rub from how I see it. AFAIK most if not all farming (actually the cost of the food) is subsidized/controlled by the government anyways. So why would the government tax them on these things you are talking about, then have to pay them back that tax in the end anyways.

 

If this wasn't the case, food would be much more expensive (at a visible level) than it is right now. Yeah, we pay for it in the end anyways, but you don't see it when you go to buy groceries and for most people that's easier to stomach. And believe it or not, some socialism is good for the community as a whole.

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So never gave any thought to this, but here's the rub from how I see it. AFAIK most if not all farming (actually the cost of the food) is subsidized/controlled by the government anyways. So why would the government tax them on these things you are talking about, then have to pay them back that tax in the end anyways.

 

If this wasn't the case, food would be much more expensive (at a visible level) than it is right now. Yeah, we pay for it in the end anyways, but you don't see it when you go to buy groceries and for most people that's easier to stomach. And believe it or not, some socialism is good for the community as a whole.

 

food costs are not subsidized... they are controlled by a commodities market..

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/cfutures.html

 

production costs are subsidized.

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My best friend's family recently gave up on farming after 30+ years. There is really no way of making a good living anymore with this occupation unless you have a very LARGE operation going on. The cost of general farm use items have gone up so high that it is nearly impossible even with the tax allowances.
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The accounting side of running a farm is a headache. Yes, it is bough tax exempt, but when you well it, you get to pay (some) tax on it, and pay tax on depreciation value of equipment. It has been a while since I have done the books, but if you really want to know I will try to refresh myself.

Also, yes, land taxes on a hundered acres sucks, 700 acres really sucks, and 700 acres when urban sprwal starts to "adjust" your land values really fucking bites. Anything under about 200 is a hoby farm any more.

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Shouldn"t we rather piss and moan on Well-fare or Food stamps, open your eyes... Farmers do bust their ass and some might abuse the tax-exempt privlages, but so what, big deal. And who made Austin the IRS, if your proud of where your tax money goes and it makes you a good citizen not to lie on your title when you buy a used car, then do it. I bet you'd change your mind if you were self employed. If I raise 100 cattle next year and do great doing so, and make a nice big profit of $20,000, why should i get taxed on that money unless I buy a new Truck... Can't i save it. Write it off. After its said and done some 40% of our dollar goes to tax. Farmer don't abuse it more than the people in our society that collect food stamps or well fare. What might be a good idea is going to work for a farmer, just think if you do it right, you could make about 1/3 more than you would on paper.
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