Ann Coulter sent out a Tweet the other day that succumbed to society’s stereotypes of singles being sad and lonely and couples being happy. Being single does not mean that you are unhappy and lonely. That is a myth created by society. The single shaming done by society, the media, and politics needs to stop since singles are now the majority of the American population.
Ann Coulter And The Culture Of Single Shaming
As someone with influence in society, especially in certain political circles, Ann Coulter is hurting singles. She should be helping them instead of saying that singles live “lives of quiet desperation and will die alone”. Further, as a professional single woman, Ann Coulter fails to realize the values of the single life and that singles are healthier than couples. Women are more independent than ever today. Women do not need a man to be happy. It is disheartening to see a single political celebrity take part in single shaming because Ann Coulter is not only shaming singles, but is also shaming herself.
Politics Of Being Anti-Single
The politics of both American political parties have always favored those who are married and have a family. This is because because they are an essential political base. Both the Democrat and Republican Parties have historically been anti-single. Politicians need to attract this base to to win an election. Politics has used taxes to assist those who are married and who have families since it is thought that families are a requirement for a healthy society. This belief has resulted in couples with children receiving tax deductions for children. Children become a tax write off for couples while singles pay a tax penalty.
These can include tax cuts and deductions for being married and having children. There are already more than 1,000 laws, just on the federal level, that help provide benefits to those who are married. Those laws were written and enacted by both American political parties. Washington and Politicians like to ignore singles because it is good for them to be seen as pro-marriage and pro-family. Why do you think politicians are always kissing babies on the campaign trail? To win votes and to look relatable to their voters. This has to change.
Direction Politics Should Take Towards Singles
Political institutions from the local level to the federal level in Washington need to realize that singles are now the majority of the American population. Those who are married are becoming a smaller number of the American population. Future policies that should work to dismantle tax deductions that those who are married receive for having children. Singles should not be taxed more people who are married. The more than 1,000 laws that favor those who are married should be rewritten or amended to make a truly equal playing field for everyone when it comes to taxes. It will not matter if they are single, cohabiting, or married. Everyone will be taxed the same instead of some receiving tax benefits from the government for having children.
Views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment or financial advice. James Bollen is the author of Thriving Solo: How to Flourish and Live Your Perfect Life (Without A Soulmate). Now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon. Subscribe to Secure Single’s Substack for free!
The GOP has rearranged the tax brackets from seven into four. This is good for some, and not for others. Simple is better in some cases, especially with tax. Here is the scoop on how the new tax codes will affect you.
Winners and Losers
Losers: Low income filers with children and households that are inadvertently bumped into a higher bracket.
Winners: Low-to-middle income households and the 5.2 million middle-to-high income taxpayers who are subject to this levy.
According to the new plan, the standard deduction will change from $24,400 for married couples who file jointly and $12,200 for single filers, which is nearly double up from the current rate.
Current and New Tax Brackets
There are currently seven tax brackets which break into the following categories:
10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% and 39.6%.
The four new and simplified tax brackets are as follows:
12%, 25%, 35%, and 39.6%.
The new tax plan could hurt singles with children. According to Slate, the new tax plan would do away with personal exemptions, which currently allow parents to deduct $4,050 from their taxes for themselves and each of their dependents. This would lead to parents owing more taxes on their earnings. The new tax plan would also increase the lowest tax rate from 10 percent to 12 percent.
Slate simplifies this here:
“Consider a married couple with two children earning $50,000. Today, they’d be allowed to take the standard deduction, worth $12,700, plus four personal exemptions, worth $16,200—bringing their tax-exempt income all the way up to $28,900. Under the Trump plan, they’d only have a single $24,000 deduction. As a result, they’d end up paying $888 more in taxes.
All working-class couples with children whose adjusted gross incomes fall between $24,000 and $60,000 will pay more in taxes under the Trump plan than under the current tax system, according to Daniel Hemel and Kyle Rozema from Slate.
Additional Money for Singles Standard Deductions
Under the current system, a single filer can take a standard deduction of $6,350 and a personal exemption of $4,050. That equates to $10,400 in tax savings compared with the proposed $12,000 standard deduction for singles.
GOP Tax Plan Pros and Cons
Depending on where you fall in the income earning bracket, you will either win or lose. If you find yourself at the top of a tax bracket cutoff, find a new way to make more money and bump up into the next category where you can have a better break. There are only four, so make sure you know where you stand. Also, converse with a licensed CPA before making any decisions on your money. Knowledge is power.
Cheers,
Danielle