Joe The Plumber: Not A Tax Expert

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, a.k.a. "Joe the Plumber," is the topic of the day on the campaign trail, in part because he held an impromptu press conference Thursday morning in front of his house to discuss tax policy, his disdain for Social Security, and his critiques of Barack Obama.

Already, however, there is some dispute as to whether or not Wurzelbacher was being accurate with his critique of Obama. His business, as ABC reports, would almost certainly get a tax cut under Obama's plan, given that he does not expect to make anywhere close to $250,000 in profits.

Moreover, for someone worried about his taxes, Wurzelbacher doesn't -- it appears - always pay them. A filing with the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas shows that he has had state tax liens filed against him, meaning he was either delinquent or didn't fully cover taxes that he owed.

A representative at the court explained that Wurzelbacher had not paid $1,182.98 of personal income tax. The state filed a lien on January 26, 2007, and the payment remains outstanding. But the court rep also cautioned that this all may have occurred without Wurzelbacher's knowledge.

"We get hundreds of state liens every day and we don't have to make a judgment on them. We are just putting in there what the state says is owed. We don't notify that person and neither does the state. If there was activity on this lien, if they attempted to collect it on this case - which they haven't -- it would show up. But I am 99.9 percent positive that he doesn't even know about this."

Tax-issues aside, the "Joe-the-Plumber" fervor seems to be spreading beyond small town Ohio. On the streets of Manhattan this morning, a plumbing company car was spotted with a "Joe The Plumber For President" poster on its side.

But before Obama supporters fret about losing the plumber vote, it's worth noting that the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters has endorsed the Illinois Democrat, in part because the union thinks he has the best economic agenda for its members.

"Obama will help us keep existing jobs and work to develop new, higher paying jobs here in America, reform our health care system, fix our ailing schools and make sure that the pensions of our retirees are safe," the union said.

Comments

[kmac23va]

Presuming that Keith Olbermann would not say something on air without being able to back it up, he mentioned the liens and that Joe isn't currently licensed, and that he doesn't make close to $250K. Sounds more like Joe Six-Pack, you betcha, and someone who'd get money back from Obama's plan.

[Chaucea]

My perception of Joe when he was interviewed last night, was he is a rather selfish fellow who isn't understanding the bigger picture, and is only thinking of himself and not paying 3% more taxes.

With this recently discovered information regarding a tax lien, it seems he just doesn't want to pay any taxes at all.

[foxinthebox]

That's why he's a register Republican. They don't believe in "spreading the wealth", that's just plain old socialism: but they do believe in Corporate Welfare!

[SpinDown08]

OMG...

Just saw this on a comment on USA Today.....Is this true?

"JOE PLUMBER, WON'T BE HELPING MC CAIN, HE IS ***NOT*** REGISTERED TO VOTE!!! THIS IS WHO HE IS:

Joe the Plumber:

Turns out that Joe Wurzelbacher from the Toledo event is a close relative of Robert Wurzelbacher of Milford, Ohio. Who"s Robert Wurzelbacher? Only Charles Keating"s son-in-law and the former senior vice president of American Continental, the parent company of the infamous Lincoln Savings and Loan. The now retired elder Wurzelbacher is also a major contributor to Republican causes giving well over $10,000 in the last few years.

What a "coincidence"!

Joe the Plumber's plumbing license EXPIRED in 2002.

Hard to BE a plumber with an EXPIRED LICENSE!

Go to the below link & type in Joe's last name "Wurzelbacher" & find out how many Wurzelbacher's WERE and ARE licensed as a plumber in Ohio ...

http://elicense1-lookup.com.ohio.gov/SearchCriteria.asp

You"ll need to type in:

Board: Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board

Last Name: Wurzelbacher

State: Ohio

Results: the ONLY Wurzelbacher is Lawrence NOT JOE (must be Joe's first name) and Wurzelbacher's license EXPIRED in 2002.

So Joe isn't registered to vote AND Joe is NOT a licensed plumber."

[MrHueyD]

Check your facts, Samuel Joe Worzelbacher is registered to vote. And could you explain the plumber licensing requirements in Ohio? Didn’t think so.
Joe’s just a guy who thinks he deserves the money he earns. Apparently you think someone else deserves it more. There’s a name for that.

[SpinDown08]

Like I said.....I found this on a different post.

[RedneckDem]

Yeah, and if he makes under $250,000 he will make more moolah under Obama;s plan. Hard to dispute that.

[keepemhonest]

Mr. HueyD - Allow ME to explain the plumber licensing requirements in Ohio:

According to the Ohio Website:
You must hold a state license do Electrical, HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing, or Hydronics to work in Ohio. General construction contractors may need to be licensed at the local level. Check with the city or county for licensing information and requirements.

To find out if a tradesman holds a license in Ohio, click on http://www.com.state.oh.us/dic.

License Renewal
Licenses are renewed each year.
It will cost $60 to renew and you must show proof of insurance ($500,000 liability minimum) and have completed continued education requirements. Continued education requirements:
Plumbing, Hydronics, HVAC, Refridgeration - 10 hours total per year
Electrical - 10 hours total. 5 of the 10 must be in code.
If you are a multiple license holder, you are still only required to complete 10 hours for CE total.

http://elicense1-lookup.com.ohio.gov/SearchCriteria.asp

[sixx]

If Joe wants to keep more of his money, he should stop paying taxes on gross income. I wouldn't want him near my business.

[JamesInDenver]

Actually if the Republican party has its way, Joe will be voting on a provisional ballot because his last name is misspelled on his voter registration. The Republicans in Ohio are planning to compare voter registration records with DMV records, to identify any discrepancies between the two -- even discrepancies due to a simple typo. As it turns out, Joe is on a list of 200,000 other Ohio voters with discrepancies. So if the Republican's have their way, Joe's vote will probably not count.

Here's the HuffPro article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/16/exclusive-ohio-secretary_n_135269.html

[majorteddy]

No, he is not certified and never has been . That is a totally different guy.As I understand, he is NOT registered to vote.

[ajax2]

Joe that couch looks a little old and worn out. I doubt that you make over $250 grand. I doubt you ever will unless daddy or the government gives it to you. Get off that couch and get a job Joe. Obama's going to give you a tax break, and here's some free tax advice Joe, don't pay taxes on your gross income.

[metogamekun]

Maybe Joe just needs a good tax accountant.

[BinKbar]

http://friendsofatr.blogspot.com/2008/10/joe-plumbers-new-tax-bill-is-10000.html
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Joe the Plumber's New Tax Bill Is $10,000 Higher Under Obama

The Results

Current Law Under current law, Joe faces a self-employment tax of $20,768 and an income tax of $49,908 for a total tax liability of $70,676

Obama Tax Hike Joe's self-employment tax his risen to $24,488 since he's paying the full rate after $250,000 of SE tax. His income tax liability has risen to $56,090. This gives him a total tax liability of $80,578

So, Joe can expect to pay almost $10,000 more under the Obama tax hike under a worst case scenario. I guess that's ok, though--that's money Obama can use to "spread the wealth," right?

[Nikola Tesla]

Joe makes $50K a year, silly girl, NOT $250 K. He is a FRAUD.

Whydontyoujustmakeshitup?

[BinKbar]

It all the small business owners AND those that depend on them that "Joe the Plumber" is the face of and the undoing of BHO's wealth redistribution plan.

[ajax2]

binkbar Joe is a fiction.

[grizhead63]

binky, the RNC is having to borrow $5 million to stay afloat a little while longer. Better make sure you get your check before the kitty dries up.

[Bluejay00234]

So now we find out this guy is well known to the GOP? Yep he was PLANTED!

[BinKbar]

You got this little nugget on the DailyKos, didn't ya?

[Nikola Tesla]

Cheaters never win.

[Thefamilyvan]

Do you get your ir-reputable nuggets from Hannity on Fox, BinKbar?

[nadiks]

I guessed all along he was a PLANT the repugs are so devious the dems have ti be very careful if not they are going to steal this election .What with all the racial slurs against Obama.Surely America is greater than this.

[Bluejay00234]

LMAO, I said last night on here, that how much you want to bet that we find out this guys a fraud with a bad history.

[Hydra8]

Not only is Joe the plumber not a tax expert, but he doesn't pay his taxes at all.
Joe will never be able to buy a plumbing business for a long time to come, if ever.

1) Joe is not licensed to be a plumber.
2) Joe has a lien on his house, for unpaid income taxes.
3) Joe trashed his credit score so he is ineligible to borrow the money.
4) Joe's ability to borrow money has been hurt by Bush's deregulations, so Joe can thank George Bush, and John McCain who believe in deregulation.
5) Joe cannot borrow money until he cleans up his credit score.
6) Joe already voted in March, 2008 at which time he was registered as a Republican voter.
7) It is all a publicity stunt to discredit Obama and it has backfired to Joe's detriment since now the IRS and the State of Ohio will put more pressure on him to pay his taxes, many thanks to John McCain.
8) Joe is still unlicensed so he will have to obtain the training on how to be a plumber which Obama would have helped him pay for it.
9) Joe, as Phil Gramm would say " IS A WHINER".
10) For more truth about Joe go to : http://politicolnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/joe-plumber-tax-liens-for-tax-evasion.html

[taorunner]

Just wondering...is Joe a plant? Was he set up to ask the question so he could be filmed? To give McCain debate fodder?

Oops...backfire no matter how you look at it.

[BinKbar]

IRS? How is the IRS on Joe's case?

You # 10 was poorly researched and turns out to be complete bunk. Just the topic of his not having a license shows the reporter had NOT done proper research.

[Chansmom]

You're going to believe what you want, that's fine. But do your own research if you don't believe it.

[mydogshakespeare]

Hey Joe! I'll betcha you never figured that your 15 minutes of fame would get this hot or last so long!

It turns out, you aren't even a licensed plumber, but are, in fact, a scurrilous tax cheat. You probably never figured that THOSE tidbits would ever come out.

I know its popular among some folks to reject the notion that "paying taxes is patriotic", but did you ever consider that NOT paying taxes is ILLEGAL, especially for little people like us? By the way, former SCOTUS Chief Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society." I'm guessing he's a far sight smarter than you, and probably a bit more honest.

Just curious, Joe. Do you LIKE living and working in a civilized society?

[Bluejay00234]

lol

[sylar]

Another McCain ploy foiled...muahahahahha!

[jerryfromcalifornia]

I called the number on the truck, they know him but say he doesn't work for them, says that he is a joke and its a joke. Way to go John Mc Cain, you just can't get it right. We have 19 days for you to go away and take Sarah with you.

[BIG JOHN]

WELL JOE SAY IT AINT SO, NO PAPER. I WOULD'NT HIRE YOU TO PLUNGER MY TOILET. A FAKE, PHONEY, JUST LIKE THE MAN YOU SUPPORT.

[honestpolitician]

just like joe, we are all hurting....we need change.

http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[Miccheck516]

I'm boycotting Cable news after this Joe the Plumber stuff... This is so incredibly pointless, there are actual issues in this country which need to be talked about. I'm really getting the feeling that he is a GOP plant to change the storyline.

[Nikola Tesla]

He is quickly being exposed as a fraud.

[karinct5]

Josephine Six Pack-Joe the Plumber in 2012!

Lord help us all.

Obama-Biden 2008.