New Taxes / Fees on orders.....

[squampton]

Canada is a good compromise, a little bit of socialism and a little bit of the US free market system, and while we do have higher gas prices vs most of the US, depending on what state one is in, may end up paying less overall taxes in Canada, and the added benefit of not paying through the nose for health care, which is of course not free, but way cheaper then the US.

I spent my first 25 years in California, and now have spent the last 14 years in British Columbia, and my income tax burden is lower here vs what it would be in California, and in California I would have the joy of paying who knows how much for health care.

Yes sales tax is higher then anywhere in the US, but eh there is a GST rebate for those who are not high income earner, and various other credits and what not.

The US isn't as low tax as people think it is, and you get way less for your tax dollars.

And the US overreaches with it's tax laws, I have not lived nor worked in the US for 14 years, yet every June I have to make sure I have filed my tax return with the IRS to report my foreign earned income, and I have to watch out where I invest and what kind of retirement plans I have to avoid issues with US tax man, its really silly how the US tries to tax people not living or working in the US, but happen to have US Citizenship.

Crazy and confusing tax system in the US.

Those of you living the England (and the rest of Europe) have no one to blame for your sky high taxes but yourselves. Margaret Thatcher once said that “The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” Britons want free health care, well someone has to pay for it, Brits want and want and want.

Then you (Brits) get sky high taxes on everything, give up what you Brits think is free and pay for it directly. Here in the United States most people want low taxes, and we are not socialist by nature. Stop complaining about your sky high gas and diesel prices and demand from your government MP to lower the taxes.

By-the-way I have lived in England for a time, yes I was on an American Base, still I have personal experience with your system. Nothing is Free in life, you can either pay one way or another. Either work to change it or suck it up and pay.

Personally I have contacted both of my U.S. Senators and my congressman, I have also written the Texas Governor regarding the Sales Tax ruling and expressed my concerns and offered at least some solutions.

What have you done in England?

 

[Kyl]

Canada is a good compromise, a little bit of socialism and a little bit of the US free market system, and while we do have higher gas prices vs most of the US, depending on what state one is in, may end up paying less overall taxes in Canada, and the added benefit of not paying through the nose for health care, which is of course not free, but way cheaper then the US.

I spent my first 25 years in California, and now have spent the last 14 years in British Columbia, and my income tax burden is lower here vs what it would be in California, and in California I would have the joy of paying who knows how much for health care.

Yes sales tax is higher then anywhere in the US, but eh there is a GST rebate for those who are not high income earner, and various other credits and what not.

The US isn't as low tax as people think it is, and you get way less for your tax dollars.

And the US overreaches with it's tax laws, I have not lived nor worked in the US for 14 years, yet every June I have to make sure I have filed my tax return with the IRS to report my foreign earned income, and I have to watch out where I invest and what kind of retirement plans I have to avoid issues with US tax man, its really silly how the US tries to tax people not living or working in the US, but happen to have US Citizenship.

Crazy and confusing tax system in the US.

WA is tacking on 10% now, for those crossing the border to pick up the price delta just got smaller.

 

[Tiger-Paws]

Canada is a good compromise, a little bit of socialism and a little bit of the US free market system, and while we do have higher gas prices vs most of the US, depending on what state one is in, may end up paying less overall taxes in Canada, and the added benefit of not paying through the nose for health care, which is of course not free, but way cheaper then the US.

I spent my first 25 years in California, and now have spent the last 14 years in British Columbia, and my income tax burden is lower here vs what it would be in California, and in California I would have the joy of paying who knows how much for health care.

Yes sales tax is higher then anywhere in the US, but eh there is a GST rebate for those who are not high income earner, and various other credits and what not.

The US isn't as low tax as people think it is, and you get way less for your tax dollars.

And the US overreaches with it's tax laws, I have not lived nor worked in the US for 14 years, yet every June I have to make sure I have filed my tax return with the IRS to report my foreign earned income, and I have to watch out where I invest and what kind of retirement plans I have to avoid issues with US tax man, its really silly how the US tries to tax people not living or working in the US, but happen to have US Citizenship.

Crazy and confusing tax system in the US.

On this we can agree.

The Canadian healthcare system is a bit like the VA who's motto is "Delay, Deny and We Hope You DIE!"

Compairing Kalifornia with anyplace other than InsanityVille is unfair, I sold several homes there in 2005 before the housing bubble burst. Born and raised in NorCal, no interest in ever going back.

Paying Uncle Sam for money you (or I) earned outside of the country is BS, yes I have to pay taxes for money receive from my Military pension, money that I earned after 35 years of blood, bullets, IED's, sweat and a great deal of pain. Yes I have to pay taxes on my Social Security but I will not be taxed on money I earn from the profits on investments earned outside of the USA simply because I have a US passport (among others).

If the IRS cannot find the proceeds of what I earn then they cannot be taxed.

 

[Sleepydoc]

On this we can agree.

The Canadian healthcare system is a bit like the VA who's motto is "Delay, Deny and We Hope You DIE!"

Compairing Kalifornia with anyplace other than InsanityVille is unfair, I sold several homes there in 2005 before the housing bubble burst. Born and raised in NorCal, no interest in ever going back.

Paying Uncle Sam for money you (or I) earned outside of the country is crap, yes I have to pay taxes for money receive from my Military pension, money that I earned after 35 years of blood, bullets, IED's, sweat and a great deal of pain. Yes I have to pay taxes on my Social Security but I will not be taxed on money I earn from the profits on investments earned outside of the USA simply because I have a US passport (among others).

If the IRS cannot find the proceeds of what I earn then they cannot be taxed.

No, the Canadian healthcare system is more functional than the VA. My wife grew up in Finland where they have primarily socialized medicine. If something is urgent, it gets done. If it's elective, expect to wait unless you pay out of pocket. If you look at their outcomes, they're among the best in the world. It's very interesting to talk to her relatives - they have a very different view on government and taxes than many people do here in the U.S.

As far as taxes go, if you live in the United States, why shouldn't the government tax your income, even if it was earned outside the country? In general, you pay taxes based on where you live, not where you earned the money. Here in the Twin Cities, there are a lot of people that work in Minneapolis or St. Paul but live in western Wisconsin. They pay Wisconsin income taxes on the money they earned in MN. How is that any different?

I find it a bit odd that you are boasting about willfully and knowingly breaking the laws of the very country you fought to defend.

 

[squampton]

As said above the system in Canada isn't perfect but no healthcare system ever is, but we do spend less when compared to the US and outcomes for most things tend to be better. If it's urgent issue there will be no wait, elective/non-life threatening may have a wait, but the wait will depend on how urgent your case is, using triage. The longest I have ever waited was 5 week for a colonoscopy but there was no concern of cancer, just a screening so no need for it to be done ASAP, when I had chest pains, I went to the ER and was hooked up to monitors, blood drawn, and doctor at my bed all within 10 minutes of arriving.

Best part is not having to worry about bills, or way to pay for healthcare.

It's certainly not perfect but not system is, but at least there is no co-payments to seek services, and no large monthly insurance premiums.

If people in the US added their taxes + healthcare costs together, good chance they would be better off in Canada despite our higher taxes.

 

[MnFish1]

No, the Canadian healthcare system is more functional than the VA. My wife grew up in Finland where they have primarily socialized medicine. If something is urgent, it gets done. If it's elective, expect to wait unless you pay out of pocket. If you look at their outcomes, they're among the best in the world. It's very interesting to talk to her relatives - they have a very different view on government and taxes than many people do here in the U.S.

As far as taxes go, if you live in the United States, why shouldn't the government tax your income, even if it was earned outside the country? In general, you pay taxes based on where you live, not where you earned the money. Here in the Twin Cities, there are a lot of people that work in Minneapolis or St. Paul but live in western Wisconsin. They pay Wisconsin income taxes on the money they earned in MN. How is that any different?

I find it a bit odd that you are boasting about willfully and knowingly breaking the laws of the very country you fought to defend.

The reason their outcomes are 'better' is because in the US sicker patients are treated whereas in other countries they are not - Dialysis is a good example - In the US almost everyone is considered a 'candidate' for dialysis - (perhaps some should not be) - this isn't true throughout Europe. If sicker patients are being treated in the US - the outcomes will look 'worse'. The 'system' in those countries works well if you aren't sick. Once you have a problem there are long waits, and difficulties. For example - in Germany and Austria - there are still 4 and 6 patient wards (which is where patients with only government insurance are housed) - if you have some private insurance you might get a 2 person room. A single room is rare. In the US - due to privacy rules, everyone (almost) has a private room. This adds dramatically to the cost of healthcare - and doesn't affect outcomes. The statistics are misleading - for both sides of The Atlantic - IMHO.

And - If you earn income in a foreign country there are tax credits up to a certain point - that take much of that away (depending on the amount earned). But believe it or not - if you live in France - and have income in France - but you are a US citizen you are required to file form 1040 - and calculate whatever credit you're due.

 

[MnFish1]

As said above the system in Canada isn't perfect but no healthcare system ever is, but we do spend less when compared to the US and outcomes for most things tend to be better. If it's urgent issue there will be no wait, elective/non-life threatening may have a wait, but the wait will depend on how urgent your case is, using triage. The longest I have ever waited was 5 week for a colonoscopy but there was no concern of cancer, just a screening so no need for it to be done ASAP, when I had chest pains, I went to the ER and was hooked up to monitors, blood drawn, and doctor at my bed all within 10 minutes of arriving.

Best part is not having to worry about bills, or way to pay for healthcare.

It's certainly not perfect but not system is, but at least there is no co-payments to seek services, and no large monthly insurance premiums.

If people in the US added their taxes + healthcare costs together, good chance they would be better off in Canada despite our higher taxes.

What happens if a person from Alberta travels to Ontario and has a problem?

 

[jduong916]

The reason their outcomes are 'better' is because in the US sicker patients are treated whereas in other countries they are not - Dialysis is a good example - In the US almost everyone is considered a 'candidate' for dialysis - (perhaps some should not be) - this isn't true throughout Europe. If sicker patients are being treated in the US - the outcomes will look 'worse'. The 'system' in those countries works well if you aren't sick. Once you have a problem there are long waits, and difficulties. For example - in Germany and Austria - there are still 4 and 6 patient wards (which is where patients with only government insurance are housed) - if you have some private insurance you might get a 2 person room. A single room is rare. In the US - due to privacy rules, everyone (almost) has a private room. This adds dramatically to the cost of healthcare - and doesn't affect outcomes. The statistics are misleading - for both sides of The Atlantic - IMHO.

And - If you earn income in a foreign country there are tax credits up to a certain point - that take much of that away (depending on the amount earned). But believe it or not - if you live in France - and have income in France - but you are a US citizen you are required to file form 1040 - and calculate whatever credit you're due.

American healthcare is garbage. I went to Thailand for a vacation I got an abscess that needed to be drained. Went to the hospital and was immediately taken by a group of nurses to find out what was wrong. Within fifteen minutes a surgeon operated on me. After I was done they made me come back two consecutive days to have the wound cleaned and packed. All this for $350 dollar. Ten years ago I had the same problem in california. Misdiagnosed by the first doctor. Went to the emergency room a day later and waited twelve hours to be operated on by a general physician (not surgeon) was told to go home and unpack and clean my own wound. Wound was left with scar tissue. One month later received a bill for $3000.

Im American, but believe me we don't have better doctor heres. That is strictly pride talking. One thing I know is to be a doctor in a third world country you have to be the best of the best just to be admitted to a university. Its hard to get into med school here, but it aint that hard.

 

[MnFish1]

American healthcare is garbage. I went to Thailand for a vacation I got an abscess that needed to be drained. Went to the hospital and was immediately taken by a group of nurses to find out what was wrong. Within fifteen minutes a surgeon operated on me. After I was done they made me come back two consecutive days to have the wound cleaned and packed. All this for $350 dollar. Ten years ago I had the same problem in california. Misdiagnosed by the first doctor. Went to the emergency room a day later and waited twelve hours to be operated on by a general physician (not surgeon) was told to go home and unpack and clean my own wound. Wound was left with scar tissue. One month later received a bill for $3000.

Im American, but believe me we don't have better doctor heres. That is strictly pride talking. One thing I know is to be a doctor in a third world country you have to be the best of the best just to be admitted to a university. Its hard to get into med school here, but it aint that hard.

There are plenty of 'bad' doctors in Thailand and America. Did you have a private room in Thailand in the Emergency room? Its mandated in the US. Leading to high cost and wait Tims. The other reason is that if a person is uninsured - they get care - the hospital passes those charges on to those with insurance. Which is the same as increasing taxes. I am not advocating for any system. But its not as simple as looking at 1 person's experience or statistical 'outcomes'.

 

[jduong916]

There are plenty of 'bad' doctors in Thailand and America. Did you have a private room in Thailand in the Emergency room? Its mandated in the US. Leading to high cost and wait Tims. The other reason is that if a person is uninsured - they get care - the hospital passes those charges on to those with insurance. Which is the same as increasing taxes. I am not advocating for any system. But its not as simple as looking at 1 person's experience or statistical 'outcomes'.

Yes I did get my own room. We are way over charged in America for healthcare. About 8 years ago I had an allergic reaction and had to be picked up by an ambulance. I went to see the doctor and they gave me a shot of benadryl. I was in the ER for 30 mins and got a bill for 5K. My total time with the ambulance and hospital was 1 hour. Now doctors can be expensive, but I shouldnt be paying an nba players salary.

Our medical system is broken and I in no way will advocate for it. When they can charge $800 for an epipen, and guys like Martin Skreli can sell a pill for $750, something is wrong. When congress never votes to allow the sell of foreign drugs into our country you know who is in who's pocket.

I think people keep justifying the cost by saying we have the best healthcare and doctors. Which, in my experience, can't be further from the truth.

 

[Rispa]

On this we can agree.

The Canadian healthcare system is a bit like the VA who's motto is "Delay, Deny and We Hope You DIE!"

Compairing Kalifornia with anyplace other than InsanityVille is unfair, I sold several homes there in 2005 before the housing bubble burst. Born and raised in NorCal, no interest in ever going back.

Paying Uncle Sam for money you (or I) earned outside of the country is crap, yes I have to pay taxes for money receive from my Military pension, money that I earned after 35 years of blood, bullets, IED's, sweat and a great deal of pain. Yes I have to pay taxes on my Social Security but I will not be taxed on money I earn from the profits on investments earned outside of the USA simply because I have a US passport (among others).

If the IRS cannot find the proceeds of what I earn then they cannot be taxed.

You brought up some of the points I wanted to. Especially about how crappy Canadian Healthcare is And how crappy the reach of the US tax codes outside the country is.

 

[Rispa]

No, the Canadian healthcare system is more functional than the VA. My wife grew up in Finland where they have primarily socialized medicine. If something is urgent, it gets done. If it's elective, expect to wait unless you pay out of pocket. If you look at their outcomes, they're among the best in the world. It's very interesting to talk to her relatives - they have a very different view on government and taxes than many people do here in the U.S.

As far as taxes go, if you live in the United States, why shouldn't the government tax your income, even if it was earned outside the country? In general, you pay taxes based on where you live, not where you earned the money. Here in the Twin Cities, there are a lot of people that work in Minneapolis or St. Paul but live in western Wisconsin. They pay Wisconsin income taxes on the money they earned in MN. How is that any different?

I find it a bit odd that you are boasting about willfully and knowingly breaking the laws of the very country you fought to defend.

You don't have to live in the US to be taxes. A dual citizen is taxed for their income for example.

 

[Rispa]

No, the Canadian healthcare system is more functional than the VA. My wife grew up in Finland where they have primarily socialized medicine. If something is urgent, it gets done. If it's elective, expect to wait unless you pay out of pocket. If you look at their outcomes, they're among the best in the world. It's very interesting to talk to her relatives - they have a very different view on government and taxes than many people do here in the U.S.

As far as taxes go, if you live in the United States, why shouldn't the government tax your income, even if it was earned outside the country? In general, you pay taxes based on where you live, not where you earned the money. Here in the Twin Cities, there are a lot of people that work in Minneapolis or St. Paul but live in western Wisconsin. They pay Wisconsin income taxes on the money they earned in MN. How is that any different?

I find it a bit odd that you are boasting about willfully and knowingly breaking the laws of the very country you fought to defend.

You are using Finland as an exampl. Finland is not Canada. I have a friend who's 95 who has dual citizenship and tries to only go to the doctors down here. Her daughter is a top doctor here in the US and she chose to practice in the US because she can make a lot more here. I imagine most of the very intelligent doctors realized the same thing and chose to practice here instead of there. That isn't too day that there aren't doctors who probably paid their way to their degree, but if you do your research you can probably find a very good doctor here in the US more early in Canada and see them more easily.

 

[Rispa]

American healthcare is garbage. I went to Thailand for a vacation I got an abscess that needed to be drained. Went to the hospital and was immediately taken by a group of nurses to find out what was wrong. Within fifteen minutes a surgeon operated on me. After I was done they made me come back two consecutive days to have the wound cleaned and packed. All this for $350 dollar. Ten years ago I had the same problem in california. Misdiagnosed by the first doctor. Went to the emergency room a day later and waited twelve hours to be operated on by a general physician (not surgeon) was told to go home and unpack and clean my own wound. Wound was left with scar tissue. One month later received a bill for $3000.

Im American, but believe me we don't have better doctor heres. That is strictly pride talking. One thing I know is to be a doctor in a third world country you have to be the best of the best just to be admitted to a university. Its hard to get into med school here, but it aint that hard.

I don't know anything about the doctors there, but the conversion rate of the dollar is currently $1 to 33.32thbt.

Here is the US the price of Healthcare is crazy and out of control. You can be charged more if you use your insurance for example. And prices vary a lot from one place to another because they might code differently. I'm currently afraid to go to the doctor because last year I had two miscarriages and a physical as a for all of them I got billed more than elected months later. For the in hospital miscarriage I got billed from many different entities and none of them can explain price break down. Insurance and billing is a mess since ObamaCare.

 

[Gareth elliott]

You don't have to live in the US to be taxes. A dual citizen is taxed for their income for example.

They have to file their income, but the vast majority of us citizens living abroad that only have foreign earned income do not have pay federal income taxes. As most Americans do not earn $102,000.

As to health care.

cost in the united states, because of our private insurance, we are also have higher “non insured rates” for procedures. Many of these rates were made up by hospitals to make insurance a better deal as opposed to the fee for services system that was previously the only system here before the 1920’s.

Some simple procedures like a few stitches will have an entire cost to a hospital of $50 but the bill received by the uninsured might very well state $700.

Theres a reason Cuba is destination of choice for travel surgery not the united states.

 

[MnFish1]

They have to file their income, but the vast majority of us citizens living abroad that only have foreign earned income do not have pay federal income taxes. As most Americans do not earn $102,000.

As to health care.

cost in the united states, because of our private insurance, we are also have higher “non insured rates” for procedures. Many of these rates were made up by hospitals to make insurance a better deal as opposed to the fee for services system that was previously the only system here before the 1920’s.

Some simple procedures like a few stitches will have an entire cost to a hospital of $50 but the bill received by the uninsured might very well state $700.

Theres a reason Cuba is destination of choice for travel surgery not the united states.

The unspoken reality is that to get good - excellent care in Europe and Canada you also need private insurance. At least in Austria - one of the more 'socialist' (their word not mine) countries in Europe, Everyone that HAS A JOB has coverage. You pay for your insurance out of your paycheck. If you lose your job, you are given a certain time to find a new job (and thus pay for your insurance). If you dont find a job, your benefits are cut by a certain percent - if you still cant/won't/dont find a job after a certain amount of time its cut again. After a certain time - you are cut off from public insurance (unless you have a provable disability such that you cant do any work). At that point - if you go to a hospital (unlike in the US) - you will be given emergency care - and sent home. No doctor is required to see you - nor will they. This is why Europeans still work as housekeepers in hotels, and on farms, etc. This is not a political thing its a reality. But its never discussed because its not politically correct.

As to Finland - They have decided on the society that they want. I have a feeling that its not the Nirvana described. That said - I went to the Emergency room in Austria - a bill that would have cost 10,000 here cost 150 euros and I was out of there in 1.5 hours (it would have been an 8 hour wait here). There are plusses and minuses - but the statistics do not tell the story on either side.

 

[MnFish1]

Yes I did get my own room. We are way over charged in America for healthcare. About 8 years ago I had an allergic reaction and had to be picked up by an ambulance. I went to see the doctor and they gave me a shot of benadryl. I was in the ER for 30 mins and got a bill for 5K. My total time with the ambulance and hospital was 1 hour. Now doctors can be expensive, but I shouldnt be paying an nba players salary.

Our medical system is broken and I in no way will advocate for it. When they can charge $800 for an epipen, and guys like Martin Skreli can sell a pill for $750, something is wrong. When congress never votes to allow the sell of foreign drugs into our country you know who is in who's pocket.

I think people keep justifying the cost by saying we have the best healthcare and doctors. Which, in my experience, can't be further from the truth.

I guarantee you that you didn't pay $5000 (unless you didnt have insurance) for that type of care. And if you only needed a shot a shot of Benadryl in the ER - you didnt need an ambulance. (NO offense). Who is supposed to pay for the ambulance? Should everyone take an ambulance to the ER?

Again - as a person with a rare illness - I am in support groups and I hear horror stories of people living in Finland (believe it or not) England and Canada (especially) that are denied care because 'the doctors aren't aware' or 'its not socially justified' or 'the delay is so long that its impossible to see a specialist'. These people are constantly wanting to come to the states for care. For themselves and their children. If you are under the impression that there is a 'perfect' system. You IMHO are incorrect.

 

[davejep]

@ryanbrs
How about us Canadians who use a post box in Washington?
We are not WA residents and the product will be used north of the border.
We are obligated to pay Canadian taxes as we cross the border. Though many times we just get waved thru.
Should we be charged the WA tax, as the shipping address is just a stop in the products journey?

Your site states:
Sales Tax
Minnesota & Washington residents will be charged sales tax upon checkout.
I am not a Washington resident

The extra 10% tax will be an important consideration in my future purchases.

 

[squampton]

What happens if a person from Alberta travels to Ontario and has a problem?

You go to the hospital, and they will bill Ontario for the visit. The only province where an issue arises is with Quebec. I am in BC and spent 2 months in ON, never paid anything to see the doctor in ON, showed by BC care card and they billed the visit to BC.

Having experienced healthcare in both the US and Canada, the only real difference is in the US you pay through the nose for access but the overall care is not any better.

For what it's worth we don't have private healthcare as what you would find in say the UK.

I am completely satisfied with my healthcare in BC, and eh insurance companies in the US deny people treatments all the time due to cost, it's not like insurance companies pay for every treatment option that might be available.

 

[Redleg]

@ryanbrs
How about us Canadians who use a post box in Washington?
We are not WA residents and the product will be used north of the border.
We are obligated to pay Canadian taxes as we cross the border. Though many times we just get waved thru.
Should we be charged the WA tax, as the shipping address is just a stop in the products journey?

Your site states:
Sales Tax
Minnesota & Washington residents will be charged sales tax upon checkout.
I am not a Washington resident

The extra 10% tax will be an important consideration in my future purchases.

I believe this is no different than if you actually purchased the items in Washington then drove them across the border. Since the end point of your retail purchases are in Washington that is where sales tax is collected.