4 ms·

This might be a silly question but when do you think there will be a global tax? Something akin to a world government tax? The US has it to some extent when i

This might be a silly question but when do you think there will be a global tax? Something akin to a world government tax? The US has it to some extent when it taxes citizens outside the country but even that can be escaped. There was someone who said something like "Don't tax money that can move." It would be interesting to see all of the countries figure out a way for it to happen anyway.

mandelbrotwurst 8y ago
I suppose that would happen as soon as there were an entity with the capability to (i.e. means of enforcement) and interest in doing so.
ekianjo 8y ago
That would be akin to be back in serf mode. If you can't escape taxes anymore, there is nothing preventing a "worldwide government" to tax people to death. I guess this is when people may want to move to Mars or something.
manfredo 8y ago
A global tax would be feasible if all governments are on good terms, and are willing to cooperate on their taxes and surveillance of assets. I do not predict this happening any time soon. The US taxes citizens abroad, but you get to deduct taxes paid to your country of residence. Since the US has relatively low taxes, this usually means citizens abroad pay no taxes to the US. It may be more nuanced than that. I have never filed taxes while living abroad, this is just my immediate recollection.
- philliphaydon 8y ago
  Huh. US tax isn’t Low?!? And I think in Singapore you’re forced to pay tax. They ask you if you’re a US citizen here and treat your income tax differently. I could be wrong tho. I’m not American so I don’t need to worry about double tax.
  - manfredo 8y ago
    > Huh. US tax isn’t Low?!? I'm not sure if you read my comment correctly. > The US taxes citizens abroad, but you get to deduct taxes paid to your country of residence. Since the US has relatively low taxes, this usually means citizens abroad pay no taxes to the US. I am saying that taxes in the US are low, which is why citizens abroad usually don't have any more taxes to pay after deducting the taxes paid to their country of residence.
    - philliphaydon 8y ago
      Ah ok. I Guess this only really applies to Europe where there is high tax to begin with.

mandelbrotwurst 8y ago

I suppose that would happen as soon as there were an entity with the capability to (i.e. means of enforcement) and interest in doing so.

ekianjo 8y ago

That would be akin to be back in serf mode. If you can't escape taxes anymore, there is nothing preventing a "worldwide government" to tax people to death. I guess this is when people may want to move to Mars or something.

manfredo 8y ago

A global tax would be feasible if all governments are on good terms, and are willing to cooperate on their taxes and surveillance of assets. I do not predict this happening any time soon. The US taxes citizens abroad, but you get to deduct taxes paid to your country of residence. Since the US has relatively low taxes, this usually means citizens abroad pay no taxes to the US. It may be more nuanced than that. I have never filed taxes while living abroad, this is just my immediate recollection.

philliphaydon 8y ago
Huh. US tax isn’t Low?!? And I think in Singapore you’re forced to pay tax. They ask you if you’re a US citizen here and treat your income tax differently. I could be wrong tho. I’m not American so I don’t need to worry about double tax.
- manfredo 8y ago
  > Huh. US tax isn’t Low?!? I'm not sure if you read my comment correctly. > The US taxes citizens abroad, but you get to deduct taxes paid to your country of residence. Since the US has relatively low taxes, this usually means citizens abroad pay no taxes to the US. I am saying that taxes in the US are low, which is why citizens abroad usually don't have any more taxes to pay after deducting the taxes paid to their country of residence.
  - philliphaydon 8y ago
    Ah ok. I Guess this only really applies to Europe where there is high tax to begin with.