Limbaugh, take three
My colleague Doreen Hemlock checked with auto dealer Rick Case and here's what he says:
Florida is not charging sales tax on the rebate portion.
But only a handful of states have followed suit.
So, if you buy a $10,000 car and you use the $4,500 Cash for Clunkers rebate, you pay only $5,500 for the car but you pay sales tax on $10,000 if you buy it in, say, Georgia, where Case has dealerships. He said the same thing is happening in Ohio.
But if you buy it in Florida, you pay sales tax only on $5,500.
Where does all that leave Rush Limbaugh?
Half right.
His post, from Tuesday, I have copied below. And I quote:
Story #2: Surprise! $4500 Clunker Rebate is Taxable
RUSH: Get this. If any of you participated in the Cash for Clunkers program and bought a new car -- hee, hee -- "Many of those cashing in on the clunkers program are surprised when they get to the treasurer's office windows. That's because the government's rebate of up to $4500 dollars for every clunker is taxable. 'They didn't realize that would be taxable. A lot of people don't realize that. So they're not happy and kind of surprised when they find that out,' Nelson said. The amusement here is how most (if not all) states compute sales tax (charged when you register the vehicle.) When you buy a new car you pay tax on the difference between the new car's purchase price and the trade-in you present to the dealer. This is an intentional distortion in the law that is intended to favor dealers over private-party used car sales; if you sell your used car privately the new buyer pays sales tax but you do not get the offset on the purchase of your replacement vehicle - the only way to get that is to trade the car. Dealers use this, of course, in negotiations, effectively pocketing the sales tax - and why not? It's a real difference to you! But the 'cash for clunkers' is not a trade-in. That's a $4,500 check from the government, basically," and that's in income that you have to pay tax on. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I love it when people learn that when they think they're getting something free, and it isn't free!
Harriet Johnson Brackey, the personal finance columnist for the Sun Sentinel, is an award-winning business reporter. Her columns for 2008 were named "The Best in the Business," a national award chosen by her colleagues at the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Comments
Rush knows so much, maybe he should run for politics. Oh, I forgot, he couldn't get elected because he's managed to insult everyone except some rednecky, white christian conservatives with no ability to think for themselves.
Posted by: glenn | August 27, 2009 3:18 PM
Bush Limbush is a big fatidiot. It's really a terrible shame that anyone pays any attention to what he has to say about anything. He's actually harmful.
Posted by: actual truth | August 27, 2009 3:21 PM
The fact that Rush Limbaugh even has a radio show highlights the fact that America is not as smart a country as it THINKS it is....
Posted by: Write | August 27, 2009 3:29 PM
Rush, is more right than wrong which is better than the PRESIDENT. As stated MOST states charge tax and he is on in all 50 states. Only a few states don't charge the tax at the point of sale but wait until they file the federal taxes. Those who call names, show their intelligence. If your on the top for 20+ years, your saying something worth listening to.
Posted by: jeff gilbert | August 27, 2009 3:33 PM
Comparing Rush LimBong to the the President. Rush is serial violator of Federal and State Drug trafficking laws for the prescription narcotics in the world. Can a convicted felon run for president? Probably. Would the rightwing stand behind him. Probably. Could he win. Never!
Posted by: BobH | August 27, 2009 4:45 PM
Comparing Rush LimBong to the President is ludicrous. Rush is a serial violator of Federal and State Drug trafficking laws for prescription narcotics. Can a convicted felon run for president? Probably. Would the rightwing stand behind him? Probably. Could he win? Never! I would love to see Mr. Hotair run because he would just embarrass himself once again! He would probably get less votes that Pat Robertson or Patrick Buchanan.
Posted by: BobH | August 27, 2009 4:56 PM
You can bad mouth Rush all you want but don't be unfair. Read what he said more carefully. He's closer to being 99% correct in his statements. It's typical for liberals to attack the right wing media ... but you don't see them attacking the facts that are presented. UH...why is that?
Posted by: Sunrogue | August 27, 2009 5:28 PM
I love listening to Rush! He only tells the truth!! Go Rush!!! America is about freedom of speech, and working hard for your money, not government run companies. Look at the post office, do you really want government healthcare??
Posted by: plk | August 27, 2009 7:17 PM
Before stating that Rush is a drug user don't forget the Messiah Obama used cocaine before. Why should that light weight get a pass as he ruins our nation. Probably too much coke!
Posted by: TDUB | August 27, 2009 8:09 PM
In two of your three 'articles' today you have misrepresented what Rush said. Perhaps you should stay out of the political discussion and stick to money, although if your analysis of money issues is anything like your analysis of Rush's comments then a new line of work may be in order.
Posted by: PhoneBill | August 27, 2009 10:01 PM
I just re-read your comment above, "Where does all that leave Rush Limbaugh?
Half right."
Even if that were true, which it's not since you only found information about Florida and there are 49 other states (or 56 if you ask the President), however, even if it were true, his half-truth is still better than your 'truths' since, between your 3 articles today, you were wrong 2/3 of the time.
Posted by: PhoneBill | August 27, 2009 10:09 PM
Obama has lied to people since before day one... Don't think he would know the truth if it bit him. This news organ has backed him to the hilt. In the words of HL Mencken - "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
Posted by: captnret | August 27, 2009 11:26 PM
Rush is simply saying that if you live in a state that requires you to pay income tax....you will have to increase your "taxable income" by $4,500 if you used the clunker program. Nothing is for free for everyone!
Posted by: jas | August 27, 2009 11:28 PM
Um...a little news flash for poster Jeff Gilbert: Barack Obama has admitted during his Campaign to the use, and sale of both Pot and Cocaine...Both felonies, and HE shouldn't be occupying the White either...Additionally, Obama's inexperience and lack of accomplishments are shining through the smoke screen Axelrod so cleverly concocted...
Posted by: Bubba353 | August 28, 2009 8:05 AM
Why would a reporter check with a dealer, instead of the horse's mouth aka the state of Florida?
Posted by: KCK | August 28, 2009 8:12 AM
KCK, because that would require research and work, both of which she was trying to avoid. I wouldn't be surprised if the only research done for the 1st article by Ms. Brackey was opening an email from one of her, ahem, 'sources'
Posted by: PhoneBill | August 28, 2009 8:27 AM
Move over Jimmy Carter, Barak sucks more.
Posted by: DAVE | August 28, 2009 9:47 AM
Who cares what Rush has to say he is a blubbering fear monger and it is alarming to me the number of people that will allow themselves to be manipulated by him
Posted by: LSH74 | August 28, 2009 11:10 AM
Judging from your comments.. Most of you probably don't listen to Rush which makes you dumb and uninformed.. You probably also voted for our socialist president Obama.... Did you drink the cool-aid?
Posted by: ForRush yes. | August 28, 2009 1:34 PM
Judging from your comments.. Most of you probably don't listen to Rush which makes you dumb and uninformed.. You probably also voted for our socialist president Obama.... Did you drink the cool-aid?
Posted by: ForRush yes. | August 28, 2009 1:34 PM
Which is worse, government running businesses (Democrats), or businesses running government (Republicans)?
I thought it was "Government of the People, by the People, for the People"... silly me.
Posted by: Steve | August 28, 2009 1:45 PM
Why in the world would Limbaugh want to hold public office? His home is bigger than the White House and his only responsibility is running his mouth a couple of hours a day. Check out his $50 million dollar palace at 1495 N OCEAN BLVD, Palm Beach.
Posted by: Buy American or Drop Dead | August 28, 2009 2:21 PM
Leave it to an overweight, drug addict who is also very wealthy to complain about a program that clearly he does not have to use as all his cars are brand new luxury vehicles. Look up the assessed value of his mansion in Palm Beach County.
Why is it that the morons that have the most money are the ones that complaint the most about issues that do not affect them such as cash for clunkers and affordable health care?
Posted by: Pecueca Fea | September 4, 2009 12:17 PM