Tax issue that plagued Wall not issue for others
MILWAUKEE — A taxpaying question that may have led one candidate to drop out of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race isn't a factor in the other candidates' campaigns.
State documents say Oshkosh Republican Ron Johnson paid Wisconsin taxes every year from 1994 to 2008. The average amount was $55,000.
Madison developer Terrence Wall dropped out of the race last month after Johnson won the state party's endorsement. Wall's bid stalled after reports that he owed zero state income tax in nine of the past 10 years.
Johnson's GOP challenger is Dave Westlake of Watertown. Westlake paid an average of $3,800 per year in state taxes since 2000.
Democratic incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold paid an average of $7,400 per year over that same period.
Johnson's tax figures were first obtained by the liberal group One Wisconsin Now.
Jun 20, 2010 at 11:45 p.m.
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Calm down fauxfacts, I'm not slapping anyone around. I was just splainin' some facts. Try not to take things personally.
Jun 20, 2010 at 10:35 p.m.
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Why doesn't some reporter write an article about some candidate for office who had an opportunity to use a legal loophole to avoid paying taxes and DIDN'T use it! I wouldn't vote for him....thinking he was too STUPID to hold office! Bet you won't find any either...
Jun 20, 2010 at 2:51 p.m.
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There is no assertion of ilegality in the article. It is, however, a good question to ask a candidate. These loopholes are not available to the little guy, so why should the little guy expect that the tax-avoiding big guy will be trusted to work on his behalf? The rules really are different for wage slaves versus business, investment, or property owners.
Jun 20, 2010 at 10:20 a.m.
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Would you feel better if instead his business was structured as a C-Corporation and they took the depreciation and paid no taxes? Either way, it seems like someone isn't paying their fair share of taxes in your opinion. Or are you in the group that thinks that depreciation is a phantom expense and should be disallowed? Being a prudent businessman by legally lowering your legal obligation to pay taxes is okay by me. When you (dtb) try and minimize your personal expenses by refinancing your home or using coupons, I'll make sure to hover right over you and chastize you for trying to save money. Of course, if you win the lottery or get a promotion at your job, I'll be more than happy to take more of your tax dollars because obviously you feel like saving on your tax return is a bad thing. Try getting anyone of the thousands of deadbeats that have deliquent taxes on the WDOR website to pay before you slap around a taxpayer that has paid his legal obligations.
Jun 20, 2010 at 9:54 a.m.
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Also, the story is from the AP, so it doesn't make sense to blame the JG or WSJ for what you think is bad reporting. Blame the AP.
Jun 20, 2010 at 9:51 a.m.
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There's no doubt he has taken every legal loophole to avoid personal income taxes. He was able to structure his company so that he owns all the buildings so he gets to take depreciation on them against his personal income. His company pays taxes like any other company does, he gets to keep his $2 million salary and not pay state income tax. I guess it's great to be wealthy.
Jun 19, 2010 at 11:29 p.m.
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Leave it to 4th grade journalists to publish articles without having any idea about the facts behind it. "Well Billy said that he paid no taxes so it must be true... let's write that and sell some papers". If you paid attention to the news, T. Wall paid plenty of tax and the reason he hadn't paid individual taxes is because his companies are set up in a way where the gains and losses flow through to his personal return. Anyone that owns an S-Corp or LLC can appreciate this. But of course, the Gazette and WSJ likely didn't think to ask a CPA or anyone with a financial background how T. Wall might not owe taxes. Well done....
Jun 19, 2010 at 9:53 p.m.
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Typo, no state taxes owed in 9 out of ten years. Amazing. And running for office. Sounds familiar. Obama's selections for cabinet positions had the same results.
Jun 19, 2010 at 9:51 p.m.
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No state taxes pwed? 9 out of 10 years at that! I must be doing something wrong.
Jun 19, 2010 at 6:09 p.m.
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dtb - good argument for a vat.
Jun 19, 2010 at 3:11 p.m.
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Not suprising-people who make 7 figure salaries and own businesses don't have to pay taxes. Welcome to capitalism in America.
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