pull down to refresh
1031 sats \ 1 reply \ @nullama 6 Sep 2023 \ on: Which type of taxation is best? meta
OK, so, I'll start with the idea that I think it's fair to charge something if you are part of a community (country, state, whatever).
This is because you are using the resources to generate some kind of money back. For example you are driving on roads, using public lights, charging customers that live in those places, etc. I don't see the possibility of selling anything without directly or indirectly using something "public" or common. That's basically civilization.
Now, how much, and which type?, that gets tricky.
I do feel that there should be some kind of incentive to create companies and take risks with startups, etc, and be able to just close shop and start again something new, without too many issues.
I think that at the moment those incentives are a bit too much though, as in sometimes global companies are paying basically zero taxes while individual workers are paying around 30-50% in taxes, which is crazy.
Also, the idea that you have to pay every time you buy or sell land is a bit ridiculous. I'm referring to Stamp Duty. I mean, a country declared ownership of some land, and then citizens have to pay that country a lot of money every time they buy the same piece of land, forever? makes no sense.
Capital gains tax?, not sure, I think it should have some kind of option that if you pass that test you don't pay that tax. Like, for example, if you keep your asset for at least a year you shouldn't pay, things like that.
It's a bit annoying because the central bank can generate new money any time they want, at zero cost, they don't pay anything, but if an individual generates money (income or capital gain, etc), they have to pay, and a lot. It's a bit unfair, even though as I mentioned earlier it's fine to have some kind of tax payment, just not that high.
I'm with you on a lot of these points.
Communal things that you use. Yeah. Tax is reasonably good here.
Stamp duty can fuck off, cos some rich kid in a fancy hat century's ago said it belonged to him I now have to pay for the privalage of needing somewhere to live.
Capital gains can also fuck off. I'm taking all the risk investing my money, and they're skimming off the top. Zero risk big reward. Capital gains on securities/commodities/crypto should be seen in the same light as gambling. Your winnings are yours. 100% of them.
Now, here's where it gets spicy... Healthcare, nope sorry, why should I pay because you can't make smarter decisions and look after yourself. Now people with hereditary conditions they had no choice in receiving, I dont mind paying tax to help those. But people who ate too much, drank too much, smoked too much. Sorry pal, your poor decisions and the consequences of those should not be my burden.
Injury in car crash? Car insurance should cover that. The biggest drain on health service providers is avoidable issues, take control of your diet, stop getting drunk every night and ending up in the ER because you fell and sliced yourself open. Some personal accountability should be taken. Your health is your responsibility, you should take charge of it (again, if you're born with a condition, this is your responsibility to manage, but society should be helping manage that, so I'm fine paying taxes to help people not at fault) As should the cost of those things. I'm not advocating for fully privatised healthcare. The US proves that's nothing more than profiteering. But of you are responsible for your issue, then you pay for it. If it's not your fault, then yes, some public funds should be available to you, because we're not a completely isolated society.
Inheritance tax can do one aswell. Work your whole life to provide for your offspring, and they end up paying through the nose to have your funeral and then deal with your estate. That's theft.
This went on longer than anticipated. Yeah I don't like giving the govt my money when they piss it away on stupid vanity projects and crap services. And most of them find (see also make) loopholes where they don't actually pay any tax anyway.
reply