Can you help me understand US taxes?
Oct 2nd 2007, 7:00 pm
#31
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Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
More sun than Orlando? No clue.
Traditionally hurricanes seem not to hit Tampa too bad, but that's no real help because you just never know anywhere around the gulf of Mexico/Carribean. In 1921 it got hit by a fairly big one and is seriously overdue for another.
If you like Busch gardens, if you become a Florida resident you can buy a pass that allows you to go as much as you like for a year, which costs just a little more than a single day ticket.
Traditionally hurricanes seem not to hit Tampa too bad, but that's no real help because you just never know anywhere around the gulf of Mexico/Carribean. In 1921 it got hit by a fairly big one and is seriously overdue for another.
If you like Busch gardens, if you become a Florida resident you can buy a pass that allows you to go as much as you like for a year, which costs just a little more than a single day ticket.
Yes I heard you can buy an annual pass for not much more than a single ticket fantastic! I haven't had the balls to ride Shikra yet (the one with that horrific drop!) It is twice as high as oblivian the UK version.
Mikeycartmen
Oct 2nd 2007, 7:01 pm
#32
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Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
Oct 2nd 2007, 8:47 pm
#35
And YOU'RE paying for it!
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Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
I was not aware there is organised crime in this sector, but knew of the obvious hold ups at the cash point and driving away without paying for fuel. What do you mean by organised crime, do you mean a type of black market for diesel, or do you mean drug lords or gangs holding gas station owners to ransom?
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200...jan24a_07.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1996/Jun96/261.tax.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp///world/para/docs/rusorg4.htm (see fuel fraud)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...es&match=exact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_organized_crime (see July 18)
Having said that, with the exception of the Mystic case, I can't see anything to suggest that this was coercive i.e. if you didn't want to become involved, then you didn't have to.
I haven't heard anything about extortion or protection rackets, except of bars, restaurants etc in NYC, esp in particular ethnic groups.
If there are organized crime groups operating in your area, the local cops will be in bed with them! This is part of the reason why the FBI is always seen as more effective than local cops for organized crime. My impression is that organized crime and corruption is much stronger in the US than in the UK, but maybe I've just been moving in "wider" circles since I got here.
Having said all that, don't let me give you the wrong idea or scare you - I am just throwing out half-baked historic ideas about a different part of the country, and I know less than bugger all about Tampa.
Oct 2nd 2007, 9:15 pm
#36
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Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
I can't pretend to talk knowledgeably about it - I am just recalling a series of articles that appeared last year in the wake of a big investigation/prosecution. It seemed mostly to do with Russian (although it could have been anyone) organized crime groups that were shuttling diesel between NY and NJ (different tax levels), and between housing (untaxed) and automotive (taxed) use. Here are some immediate links:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200...jan24a_07.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1996/Jun96/261.tax.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp///world/para/docs/rusorg4.htm (see fuel fraud)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...es&match=exact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_organized_crime (see July 18)
Having said that, with the exception of the Mystic case, I can't see anything to suggest that this was coercive i.e. if you didn't want to become involved, then you didn't have to.
I haven't heard anything about extortion or protection rackets, except of bars, restaurants etc in NYC, esp in particular ethnic groups.
If there are organized crime groups operating in your area, the local cops will be in bed with them! This is part of the reason why the FBI is always seen as more effective than local cops for organized crime. My impression is that organized crime and corruption is much stronger in the US than in the UK, but maybe I've just been moving in "wider" circles since I got here.
Having said all that, don't let me give you the wrong idea or scare you - I am just throwing out half-baked historic ideas about a different part of the country, and I know less than bugger all about Tampa.
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200...jan24a_07.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1996/Jun96/261.tax.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp///world/para/docs/rusorg4.htm (see fuel fraud)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...es&match=exact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_organized_crime (see July 18)
Having said that, with the exception of the Mystic case, I can't see anything to suggest that this was coercive i.e. if you didn't want to become involved, then you didn't have to.
I haven't heard anything about extortion or protection rackets, except of bars, restaurants etc in NYC, esp in particular ethnic groups.
If there are organized crime groups operating in your area, the local cops will be in bed with them! This is part of the reason why the FBI is always seen as more effective than local cops for organized crime. My impression is that organized crime and corruption is much stronger in the US than in the UK, but maybe I've just been moving in "wider" circles since I got here.
Having said all that, don't let me give you the wrong idea or scare you - I am just throwing out half-baked historic ideas about a different part of the country, and I know less than bugger all about Tampa.
I had to smile to myself when I read his comments about talking to the cops...seems the OP has a lot to learn about life in the US.
I would be extremely wary about a profitable gas station for sale...if it's profitable it wouldn't be up for sale.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Oct 2nd 2007 at 9:18 pm.
Oct 3rd 2007, 11:39 am
#38
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23
Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
I can't pretend to talk knowledgeably about it - I am just recalling a series of articles that appeared last year in the wake of a big investigation/prosecution. It seemed mostly to do with Russian (although it could have been anyone) organized crime groups that were shuttling diesel between NY and NJ (different tax levels), and between housing (untaxed) and automotive (taxed) use. Here are some immediate links:
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200...jan24a_07.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1996/Jun96/261.tax.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp///world/para/docs/rusorg4.htm (see fuel fraud)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...es&match=exact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_organized_crime (see July 18)
Having said that, with the exception of the Mystic case, I can't see anything to suggest that this was coercive i.e. if you didn't want to become involved, then you didn't have to.
I haven't heard anything about extortion or protection rackets, except of bars, restaurants etc in NYC, esp in particular ethnic groups.
If there are organized crime groups operating in your area, the local cops will be in bed with them! This is part of the reason why the FBI is always seen as more effective than local cops for organized crime. My impression is that organized crime and corruption is much stronger in the US than in the UK, but maybe I've just been moving in "wider" circles since I got here.
Having said all that, don't let me give you the wrong idea or scare you - I am just throwing out half-baked historic ideas about a different part of the country, and I know less than bugger all about Tampa.
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/200...jan24a_07.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/1996/Jun96/261.tax.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp///world/para/docs/rusorg4.htm (see fuel fraud)
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/refere...es&match=exact
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_in_organized_crime (see July 18)
Having said that, with the exception of the Mystic case, I can't see anything to suggest that this was coercive i.e. if you didn't want to become involved, then you didn't have to.
I haven't heard anything about extortion or protection rackets, except of bars, restaurants etc in NYC, esp in particular ethnic groups.
If there are organized crime groups operating in your area, the local cops will be in bed with them! This is part of the reason why the FBI is always seen as more effective than local cops for organized crime. My impression is that organized crime and corruption is much stronger in the US than in the UK, but maybe I've just been moving in "wider" circles since I got here.
Having said all that, don't let me give you the wrong idea or scare you - I am just throwing out half-baked historic ideas about a different part of the country, and I know less than bugger all about Tampa.
Thanks for the info and the links. I will read up on it. Did not know that local cops could be tempted to the dark side as a general rule, but appreciate the tip about rhe FBI.
M
Oct 3rd 2007, 11:54 am
#39
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 23
Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
Most of the gas station in NJ were owned and run by Indian families. Suddenly they are all owned and operated by Russians.
I had to smile to myself when I read his comments about talking to the cops...seems the OP has a lot to learn about life in the US.
I would be extremely wary about a profitable gas station for sale...if it's profitable it wouldn't be up for sale.
I had to smile to myself when I read his comments about talking to the cops...seems the OP has a lot to learn about life in the US.
I would be extremely wary about a profitable gas station for sale...if it's profitable it wouldn't be up for sale.
I run a successful business in the UK but want to move over to the US to start doing shorter hours and to get others to run the business. Obviously there are risks for anybody running a business.
I already knew, having done reams of research, that there are underhanded gas station owners cooking books to make them appear to be making a profit but in reality were not. I agree wih you that the actual genuine profit making gas stations are the minority, so I must use discernment and a good accountant/ lawyer to sort the good from the bad.
I am obviously using this forum, like most Brits, wanting to go to the US, to learn as much as I can from fellow users, who are already out there. Yes I am naive when it comes to bent cops, so learnt something else in the forum thanks.
I have had 3 encounters with cops in Miami/ Orlando
(1) A bar fight (nothing to do with me) the cops cordoned off the road and got out the shotguns. Luckily I was not in the bar when they arrived
(2) Was lazered on the i4 by a guy who looked like Boss Hogg out of Dukes of Hazard. Neither my wife nor I could keep a straight face as he gave me a ticket. She wanted to ask him to pose for a photo so we could show our friends at home, but I knew if I asked for this I would probably be thrown in prison for the night.
(3) At a stop sign, which I went over at about 2 MPH. I was cautioned saying you must STOP and not give way like in the UK
They were on the whole courteous though.
Mikeycartmen
Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
Oct 4th 2007, 4:14 am
#42
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Posts: 15,455
Re: Can you help me understand US taxes?
Someone we know has moved to Oregon to run a gas station, apparently it is the only state where you cannot pump your own gas. They are doing it all themselves (couple with one child) and finding it pretty hard work. Not really that relevant. 
Oct 4th 2007, 1:28 pm
#43
And YOU'RE paying for it!
Joined: May 2007
Location: kipper tie?
Posts: 2,328
