Everyone pays a payroll tax. That tax is returned to everyone in the form of various benefits (SS, Medicare, etc). That's why payroll taxes aren't included in the refund. They're already refunded to you (quite inefficiently) when you retire, unless you die, in which case the government keeps it all (I'll talk about Government mandated Ponzie schemes in another thread). Are some of you now saying that people who don't pay income taxes should get some of their payroll taxes refunded? Wouldn't that in a sense be the same as charging two different prices for the same services and goods, depending on the income of the person paying for them? If that's the case, I want the local Lexus dealership to institute a similar policy.

Keep in mind that the previous point has no bearing on the concept of inefficient corporate welfare and the BOHICA approach to economics, which I despise as much as the next guy. I look at my measly little below-cost-of-living raise for this upcoming contract year, figure that my insurance premiums will go up more than enough to eat it up, then look across the street to the big dogs' offices, and see new cars in their spaces, purchased right around the time that my department's raises were announced. Then I look back down at my paycheck, then I look back up and the cars are gone, because hey, it's Friday, it's noon, and the weather's perfect for golfing! Another year at this job and I'll be ready to vote for Nader...Jesus, what's wrong with me?