American Poverty: How Low-Skilled US Workers Live

Poverty in America means working in service, especially in some fast food, and getting paid about $1 a month, or approximately $600 a year. And this is all without deducting basic taxes, writes one of the authors zen.yandex.

Фото: Depositphotos

Taxes

As elsewhere, taxes must be paid. They are different, and some of them may not apply in certain states, with the exception of federal ones. They are required to be everywhere.

Taxes in the states are divided into three types:

• Federal;
• Established
• Local.

Federal. Typically, this includes: income tax 18%, pension tax 4,2% and compulsory insurance for the poor and poor in 1,45%.

In the amount of -23,45% per month from salary.

Established. In some states there are exemptions in any tax. For example: income taxes in Texas, Alaska, South Dakota, Florida, Wyoming and Nevada amount to 0% per year. But it does not abolish the main federal income tax.

But in California, you will pay more on top of the federal + 13,3% to the state treasury for your income. A tax on goods can also greatly affect other expenses of an American citizen. Usually it is about 12% of the purchase amount. For alcohol and tobacco, it can reach half of the cost of production.

Local. Also, depending on the type of terrain, you will pay a tax on any expenses of the local city hall. Usually this is a property tax, about 0,7% per month from salary. If you have a car, then be so kind as to make insurance for it for $ 1 000-1 800 per year.

Even a poor family in America can afford to buy and maintain a new car, such as the Toyota 4 Runner. Photo: Depositphotos

Mortgages in the USA

Mortgage rate from 3,5% to 7% per year for a local citizen. For a migrant it will be about 8-9% per year. A family of 2 people can afford a mediocre house in a mortgage.

On the subject: Personal experience: what can I do in the USA, what I could not in Russia

The following is an example of tax expenses and mandatory contributions to the state and local government budgets. All on the example of one conditional family.

The average family of low-paid workers

You are a cashier at a grocery store, your spouse is a waiter. You live on the outskirts of Miami, Florida.

Фото: Depositphotos

You will receive $ 20 000 per year for each ($ 1 670 per month). As a result, the amount will be $ 40 000 per year.

Next, I will count from the total family budget of $ 40 000 per year.

Paying taxes in 18% of income will take away $ 7 200 per year. Pension contributions another $ 1 680 per year for two people. And compulsory insurance for the poor $ 580 / year.

As a result, we get $ 40 000- $ 7 200- $ 1 680- $ 580 = $ 30 540 in the balance after paying only federal taxes, and they took away $ 9 460!

Since the family lives in Florida, she does not need to pay income again, but already to the state treasury, and still have to pay property tax in 0,8%. This is also $ 320 / year.

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But what is the property tax if there isn’t one at home? Have to take it in a mortgage. We were given an average annual rate of 5%. We take it for 20 years. A very good one-story house can be allowed for $ 80 000 on the outskirts of the city. Our overpayment will be 100%, i.e. we will give back $ 160 000 for 20 years. But you have to pay $ 667 every month, and in a year this amount will be ~ $ 8 000.

For $ 80 000 by American standards, you can buy a modest house with a garage for one car.

It will be right if we insure our housing. But annual insurance will cost us 0,45% of the cost of a family nest, this is $ 336.

Фото: Depositphotos

Mid-range cars in the United States are inexpensive, suppose parents gave it, but in addition to the cost of fuel and maintenance, you must also insure the car (this is required). It depends on the area of ​​residence, length of service and the car itself. For the middle class and a quiet area on the outskirts of the city, an insurance agency will present you such an opportunity for ~ $ 90 / month, or $ 1 080 a year.

The balance after all taxes will be: $40 000-$9 460-$320-$8 000-$336-$1 080=$20 804 annual family budget balance after deducting all taxes.

Except for one thing, which is called “sales tax”. All goods that you buy in stores are subject to it. In Florida it is 7,01% of the cost of the goods.

About $ 500 is spent per month on food purchases, or $ 6 000 per year (including taxes).

Other expenses

Food for two (already counted) $ 6 000. Gasoline 120 liters per month ~ $ 73 ($ 876 / year) and car maintenance of about $ 1 000 for the whole year. Phone $ 60 / month and Internet $ 85 / month will be taken from the family for the year $ 1 740.

Clothing is about $ 3 000 per year, if not chic.

On the subject: Personal experience: the difference in working conditions in the United States and Russia

Going to the cinema three times a month for two $ 66 or $ 792 for a year. Once a month, go to a concert of a famous group, the cost of a ticket for two will be ~ $ 100 or $ 1 200 for a year. A check twice a month in a restaurant will cost about $ 90 + tip = $ 100-105 for a two-day trip with a second half, and in a year it will be $ 1 230.

Once a year vacation on a cruise ship or in Hawaii for $ 1 200 per person = $ 2 400.

And on trifles about $ 2 000 per year for other expenses will come.

All the same, they can save about $ 3 500-3 700 per year for some of their whims with these expenses. At the same time being a poor working family by American standards.

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