I have a job and a business... I have a real paranoia of getting audited by the IRS, so I do not push my deductions.
My business also has low expenses, which is good and bad.
My big beef with this progressive tax system is that it isn't really progressive. Although I would rather have a flat tax, if it is going to be progressive it should apply all the way up.
I think it is funny that someone who makes $250,000 a year is lumped in the same tax rate as someone who makes $10,000,000 a year. Although the guy making $10 mil pays more money in taxes, his ability to take care of his family is not affected the same way a person making $250k is. Especially in expensive areas of this country.
When Obama says he only wants to tax millionaires and billionaires, people get excited. But they don't realize that he is actually talking about people who make way under a million a year. The system as it is now is set up to protect the richest people, which is intentional.