The actual real poverty line is going to be region dependent. If you grow up in a high income area and end up “only” making 30k a year before taxes, then you’ll be either living with your parents or in your car.
As to why 1500 dollars extra taxes will break families earning 30000 a year: people and especially families have fixed expenditures needed to survive. After other taxes, rent, food, … there is usually nothing left at the end of the month. Where are these people going to save 1500 dollars? So don’t look at it as 1500 out of 30000, look at it as taking 1500 dollars from someone who has 0 dollars left.
Edit to add: that 1500 is not total taxes, it’s extra taxes.
Google says the poverty line in the US is 13800, what am I missing?
The actual real poverty line is going to be region dependent. If you grow up in a high income area and end up “only” making 30k a year before taxes, then you’ll be either living with your parents or in your car.
As to why 1500 dollars extra taxes will break families earning 30000 a year: people and especially families have fixed expenditures needed to survive. After other taxes, rent, food, … there is usually nothing left at the end of the month. Where are these people going to save 1500 dollars? So don’t look at it as 1500 out of 30000, look at it as taking 1500 dollars from someone who has 0 dollars left.
Edit to add: that 1500 is not total taxes, it’s extra taxes.
Rules of exponents.
Or maybe just real world living.