Income taxes

Jethro Rocker

Jethro Rocker

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Won't get political at all here. Just curious. I get a lot of fellow Canadians that complain about our health care and while there are huge delays and it is broken in many ways, we do not pay for any visits to doctors or tests or hospitals.
Now, I realize it is not free amd whether anyone agrees with our system or not, the point I am making is that it is covered via our taxes.

Apparently we pay quite a lot in taxes. For any US brothers interested, we pay about 24% tax combined fed and provoncial on say 100k. After write offs, that is based on a taxable income. Guesstimating somewhat. So what is your tax rate on the same amount? Also, what would you pay in insurance premiums to cover any hospital stuff? Is it covered 100%?

I ask because with all the naysayers that say you can privately get way better care and it is worth it, depends on what conditions you are treating. I would suspect my wife's brain surgery would have been a 200k + bill, counting all the dr visits, scans, MRIs, hopspital stay etc. If insurance covered as high as 90%, we would still have ponied up 20k.

Thanks for any input.
 
Jethro Rocker said:
Won't get political at all here. Just curious. I get a lot of fellow Canadians that complain about our health care and while there are huge delays and it is broken in many ways, we do not pay for any visits to doctors or tests or hospitals.
Now, I realize it is not free amd whether anyone agrees with our system or not, the point I am making is that it is covered via our taxes.

Apparently we pay quite a lot in taxes. For any US brothers interested, we pay about 24% tax combined fed and provoncial on say 100k. After write offs, that is based on a taxable income. Guesstimating somewhat. So what is your tax rate on the same amount? Also, what would you pay in insurance premiums to cover any hospital stuff? Is it covered 100%?

I ask because with all the naysayers that say you can privately get way better care and it is worth it, depends on what conditions you are treating. I would suspect my wife's brain surgery would have been a 200k + bill, counting all the dr visits, scans, MRIs, hopspital stay etc. If insurance covered as high as 90%, we would still have ponied up 20k.

Thanks for any input.
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Our healthcare system is similar to yours in that it's tax financed (and broken in some ways). We pay on average 39% in tax, depending on how you count. It's also income based, the more you make the higher percentage you pay, up to a certain point.
 
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Our income taxes are 25% at the Federal level, then whatever the state tax may be. Then, health insurance is a scam. Pay through the nose, then have them deny you coverage or make you pay a high deductible on top of what you're already paying. Would love a system like Germany or many other countries.
 
Jethro Rocker said:
Won't get political at all here. Just curious. I get a lot of fellow Canadians that complain about our health care and while there are huge delays and it is broken in many ways, we do not pay for any visits to doctors or tests or hospitals.
Now, I realize it is not free amd whether anyone agrees with our system or not, the point I am making is that it is covered via our taxes.

Apparently we pay quite a lot in taxes. For any US brothers interested, we pay about 24% tax combined fed and provoncial on say 100k. After write offs, that is based on a taxable income. Guesstimating somewhat. So what is your tax rate on the same amount? Also, what would you pay in insurance premiums to cover any hospital stuff? Is it covered 100%?

I ask because with all the naysayers that say you can privately get way better care and it is worth it, depends on what conditions you are treating. I would suspect my wife's brain surgery would have been a 200k + bill, counting all the dr visits, scans, MRIs, hopspital stay etc. If insurance covered as high as 90%, we would still have ponied up 20k.

Thanks for any input.
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From what i know Jethro, be very thankful we have the system we have.
 
SG John said:
Our income taxes are 25% at the Federal level, then whatever the state tax may be. Then, health insurance is a scam. Pay through the nose, then have them deny you coverage or make you pay a high deductible on top of what you're already paying. Would love a system like Germany or many other countries.
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Ok so realistically, a higher tax rate than here plus the premiums are not overly low. Do you get full coverage? I didn't realize there was a deductible. That works only if you never get ill.

Session 5 said:
From what i know Jethro, be very thankful we have the system we have.
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I truly am. I don't understand the naysayers that claim we pay such high taxes to get our health care. They jump at you when you say our health care ifs free. Well, I don't pay ANYTHING to see a doctor, specialist, MRI, brain suregery, 3 week hospital stay.... seems kinda free that way when it is paid via some tax money a bit at a time.
Oh and we do pay a 5% Grab n squeeze tax on most stuff plus a provincial tax in most cases of 5 of 6 %.
 
Jethro Rocker said:
Ok so realistically, a higher tax rate than here plus the premiums are not overly low. Do you get full coverage? I didn't realize there was a deductible. That works only if you never get ill.



I truly am. I don't understand the naysayers that claim we pay such high taxes to get our health care. They jump at you when you say our health care ifs free. Well, I don't pay ANYTHING to see a doctor, specialist, MRI, brain suregery, 3 week hospital stay.... seems kinda free that way when it is paid via some tax money a bit at a time.
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Yeah, you don't have to spend many days in a hospital bed to have a pretty substantial return on those taxes.
 
I'm paying about 30-34 % tax (Norway), but the actual percentage will depend on what I'm actually paying taxes for. regular income tax will vary depending on how much you earn, and whatever you earn above a certain amount will be taxed at a higher rate. But then there are a lot of stuff that is tax deductible as well.

As for health care, we have to pay for doctors' visits /medicine/treatment up to a certain amount per year (about the equivalent of 250USD), anything after that is completely free.

In general people like to complain about health care here, but the honest truth is that it works REALLY well. My wife had cancer two years ago, and we didn't pay a single dime for any of her treatment, doctor's visits, sick leave etc. Her income was slightly reduced while she was sick and in recovery, but it was hardly noticeable. When my mother in law had cancer (and ultimately died from it) about ten years ago, she had medication delivered to her home (about a two-hour drive from the hospital treating her) every day for free. I feel like the luckiest person alive for living in a country with a system like this. Now, if you want to "jump the queue" regarding certain treatments, there are plenty of private alternatives, and there are lots of companies offering private health insurance, but we are basically covered for anything that might happen. No one is denied treatment because they can't afford it.

I pay my taxes with pride. I know there are areas where my hard earned tax money could have been spent more efficiently, but all in all I really get an incredible lot of stuff back. Free education and health care being the most important. I do not want to get political, but I simply can't understand how anyone, absolutely ANYONE, can be opposed to a system working along the lines of the Scandinavian countries when it comes to healthcare...
 
I would probably be blind without Canada’s universal health care. Two years ago I went to get new glasses. The optometrist said she couldn’t do a full exam because the pressure in my eyes was too high. She referred me to an ophthalmologist. After a half dozen visits trying many different drops he referred me to a surgeon. After three surgeries and weekly visits for a year I now am far sighted in one eye and near sighted in the other. My vision is about 70% of what it was two years ago. I still have to visit the surgeon every three months. I will need at least one more surgery. I am self employed. I could not afford insurance. I don’t know what this would have cost me in the US but here it didn’t cost me one penny. There were no worries about money. I can’t imagine the added stress of money worries while worrying if I was going to lose my vision.
 
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Health Care in Canada is one of the best in the World, you will never here me complain, When you reach 65 all your medications are paid by the Health care system. All eye exams are free, my Wife went to the Optometrist had pressure in her eyes was told her she had to have cataracts removed in both eyes, sent her to a Specialist wait time one week a month later had one removed then three week's later the other eye done. There was no charge and all medications paid for all follow up visits to Specialist paid for. And once a year now she continues to go for a yearly checkup with Specialist. We are allowed Optometrist visits every 2 years, fully paid for if there is a problem and you need more visits , they are fully covered. If you are 65 and over we have to Pay Ontario Drug Association a yearly fee of $100. We have to pay a drug dispensing fee of $5 for each prescription . We have a great system here in Ontario. In other Provinces they may have some differences. I have had skin graft when i was 10 year old, was in the hospital 1 month, my Parents never received a bill. When i was 17 had to have some nose work done, it was broke from playing hockey got a stick across bridge of nose just thought it was bruised until 6 years later, Was having problems breathing was sent to a Specialist found out had a double fracture, so they did some reconstructive surgery, was in hospital 7 day's no charge. I forgot to mention there have been other instances where i have had to go to Emergency , Cut finger requiring stitches, hurt back at work everything was covered, If we go to Emergency for whatever problem, it is all covered by Health Care System..
 
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Gahr said:
I'm paying about 30-34 % tax (Norway), but the actual percentage will depend on what I'm actually paying taxes for. regular income tax will vary depending on how much you earn, and whatever you earn above a certain amount will be taxed at a higher rate. But then there are a lot of stuff that is tax deductible as well.

As for health care, we have to pay for doctors' visits /medicine/treatment up to a certain amount per year (about the equivalent of 250USD), anything after that is completely free.

In general people like to complain about health care here, but the honest truth is that it works REALLY well. My wife had cancer two years ago, and we didn't pay a single dime for any of her treatment, doctor's visits, sick leave etc. Her income was slightly reduced while she was sick and in recovery, but it was hardly noticeable. When my mother in law had cancer (and ultimately died from it) about ten years ago, she had medication delivered to her home (about a two-hour drive from the hospital treating her) every day for free. I feel like the luckiest person alive for living in a country with a system like this. Now, if you want to "jump the queue" regarding certain treatments, there are plenty of private alternatives, and there are lots of companies offering private health insurance, but we are basically covered for anything that might happen. No one is denied treatment because they can't afford it.

I pay my taxes with pride. I know there are areas where my hard earned tax money could have been spent more efficiently, but all in all I really get an incredible lot of stuff back. Free education and health care being the most important. I do not want to get political, but I simply can't understand how anyone, absolutely ANYONE, can be opposed to a system working along the lines of the Scandinavian countries when it comes to healthcare...
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Sounds essentially as here without the initial deductible and tax rate varies, I was using an example based on income. It boggles my mjnd as well when people complain here, again, not about poasible delays but just that it isn't actually "free".

Kerry Brown said:
I would probably be blind without Canada’s universal health care. Two years ago I went to get new glasses. The optometrist said she couldn’t do a full exam because the pressure in my eyes was too high. She referred me to an ophthalmologist. After a half dozen visits trying many different drops he referred me to a surgeon. After three surgeries and weekly visits for a year I now am far sighted in one eye and near sighted in the other. My vision is about 70% of what it was two years ago. I still have to visit the surgeon every three months. I will need at least one more surgery. I am self employed. I could not afford insurance. I don’t know what this would have cost me in the US but here it didn’t cost me one penny. There were no worries about money. I can’t imagine the added stress of money worries while worrying if I was going to lose my vision.
Click to expand...
Session 5 said:
Health Care in Canada is one of the best in the World, you will never here me complain, When you reach 65 all your medications are paid by the Health care system. All eye exams are free, my Wife went to the Optometrist had pressure in her eyes was told her she had to have cataracts removed in both eyes, sent her to a Specialist wait time one week a month later had one removed then three week's later the other eye done. There was no charge and all medications paid for all follow up visits to Specialist paid for. And once a year now she continues to go for a yearly checkup with Specialist. We are allowed Optometrist visits every 2 years, fully paid for if there is a problem and you need more visits , they are fully covered. If you are 65 and over we have to Pay Ontario Drug Association a yearly fee of $100. We have to pay a drug dispensing fee of $5 for each prescription . We have a great system here in Ontario. In other Provinces they may have some differences. I have had skin graft when i was 10 year old, was in the hospital 1 month, my Parents never received a bill. When i was 17 had to have some nose work done, it was broke from playing hockey got a stick across bridge of nose just thought it was bruised until 6 years later, Was having problems breathing was sent to a Specialist found out had a double fracture, so they did some reconstructive surgery, was in hospital 7 day's no charge. I forgot to mention there have been other instances where i have had to go to Emergency , Cut finger requiring stitches, hurt back at work everything was covered, If we go to Emergency for whatever problem, it is all covered by Health Care System..
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Bravo lads. What portion pf our taxes goes to health care is anyone's best giess so to me it is, in essence, free. It is universal amd has no specific price tag.
 
I claim single throughout the year and let them eat me up in taxes, then come filing time, i claim married filing jointly with 2 dependents ( which is accurate). Wife doesnt work so i get back a decent bit in a tax refund but throughout the year, im in about a 22-24% bracket, pending on the year.

As far as insurance? I wouldn't probably have it if it wasnt for being in the IBEW. Currently, i dont pay a dime for my insurance as its included in an hourly work package along with retirement and supplemental insurance ( a " benny card" its called, that pays any out of pocket costs on insurance deductibles or prescriptions in a sort of banking system you accumulate). Basically, instead of all hourly wage in the pocket, we give up X amount of dollars that the employer instead pays directly into all of these accounts and then you get your hourly.

The insurance is ok: not great but not terrible. Sucks pretty bad in optical coverage and is so-so in dental. The medical insurance itself is not bad: we have a $750 deductible and $3750 maximum out of pocket. So if i wound up racking up $100k plus for something like open heart surgery, i pay $3750 and thats it for the rest of the year. Not as good as a universal system but its the best i can do at this point
 
Remember being a kid..you only went to Dr for check up & reg shot..if sick..you got meds or a shot & got better...broke arm in a cast...basic visits,,,

no pre visit..multi drug ...5 appointment aftercare..here take a pill instead of eating right & exercising..yes i am into Modern medicine but what i seen with this accident is pure BS, its a money racket ..when they see insurance..they will max it... cash payer like me..intersting..i get fixed at my appointment..i aint going back as a healthy person for them to ask me 1000 irelevant question.. big pharma has changed the whole game
 
Clockworkmike said:
I claim single throughout the year and let them eat me up in taxes, then come filing time, i claim married filing jointly with 2 dependents ( which is accurate). Wife doesnt work so i get back a decent bit in a tax refund but throughout the year, im in about a 22-24% bracket, pending on the year.

As far as insurance? I wouldn't probably have it if it wasnt for being in the IBEW. Currently, i dont pay a dime for my insurance as its included in an hourly work package along with retirement and supplemental insurance ( a " benny card" its called, that pays any out of pocket costs on insurance deductibles or prescriptions in a sort of banking system you accumulate). Basically, instead of all hourly wage in the pocket, we give up X amount of dollars that the employer instead pays directly into all of these accounts and then you get your hourly.

The insurance is ok: not great but not terrible. Sucks pretty bad in optical coverage and is so-so in dental. The medical insurance itself is not bad: we have a $750 deductible and $3750 maximum out of pocket. So if i wound up racking up $100k plus for something like open heart surgery, i pay $3750 and thats it for the rest of the year. Not as good as a universal system but its the best i can do at this point
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We can get insurance through work too for meds n dentist n glasses etc. But all other health is covered.
 
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