Important Personal Income Tax Information for Connecticut Employees

Verbatim email from a major CT employer (including one member of our family). My comments are in blue and emphasis in bold.

Effective Jan. 1, 2011 [but passed only a few weeks ago, which is why this email even exists], the State of Connecticut increased the personal income tax rates for certain earning brackets. Beginning Aug. 1, [the CT company] is required to withhold taxes due on your earnings at the new higher rates, as well as collect the back-taxes due on your earnings from Jan. 1 to July 31, 2011 [ex post facto!]. This additional withholding amount will be spread out evenly over the remaining pay periods for 2011 and will be reflected in your pay stubs.

The following provides more details about the income tax changes:

·         New and Increased Marginal Tax Rates
The number of tax brackets has increased from three to six. The new brackets are 3%, 5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5% and 6.7%.

·         Phase Out of Lowest Marginal Tax Rate
The 3% tax rate is phased out for taxpayers with Connecticut adjusted gross income:

Over $100,500 filing jointly

Over $56,500 filing single

Over $78,500 filing as head of household

Over $50,250 married filing separately

Income previously taxed at the 3% rate will now be taxed at the 5% rate.

This is only the income tax portion. Use tax and other taxes were increased as well. Taxes are now due on previously non-taxed activities. Read the sorry details at ct.gov.

Analysis:
Our state income tax went up ex post facto!

Analysis #2:
A special note from CT to travelers, vacationers, residents, students, taxi drivers, employers... well, anyone except union members:

"Go away".

Solution:
Are you ready for the great CT exodus?

Driving Away Customers (Lynch Toyota Review)

Thinking of buying or servicing a car at Lynch Toyota in Manchester? I wouldn't and here's why. Here's an excerpt of a note sent to Toyota:

Tire rotation was requested and paid for but not performed. After noticing the problem, I contacted the service manager (Vern Fortin). He was not willing to accept that I could notice the rotation hasn't occurred (Mechanical Engineer with advanced degree. Go Figure!) but agreed to send a refund. The refund never arrived.

Why be a weasel twice over such a minor issue.

But wait, there's more....

This seems to be another in-field observation of a troubling tendency: "Expert Cult". This is the view that only a specialized expert has the ability to own, use, or discuss a particular object or idea. More later...

Update: Lynch has subsequently changed their service manager.