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I put money into tax advantaged accounts and do other things to minimise the tax I spend. That doesn't mean I'm not averse to taxes increasing. I trying to min

I put money into tax advantaged accounts and do other things to minimise the tax I spend. That doesn't mean I'm not averse to taxes increasing. I trying to minimise my supermarket spend, that doesn't mean I would be averse to higher welfare standards, and other things that would push that spend up. Plus I don't think I should have the right to decide what tax I should voluntarily pay, that's a decision for society to make, so I think its reasonable for a rich person to feel the same.

wolco 7y ago
You do have the right to pay additional taxes over the minimum if you believe in the cause. Why do things to minimise your taxes if you don't mind paying more and see it as a benefit to society?
- benj111 7y ago
  First because as I said its a decision for society, just as it isn't exclusively my decision to pay more tax, it shouldn't be exclusively Joe Bloggs decision to pay less tax. At the extreme you could make all taxes voluntary, I don't think that would work because too many people wouldn't pay enough,(or indeed anything), then you'd get a second wave watching those not pay anything and stop contributing themselves. Second, its a bit abstract, there isn't 'a cause', it's taxes, I don't like paying taxes, just like I don't like going to the dentist, but it needs to be done so I do it. The dentist says come back in 6 months, so I come back in 6 months. I trust that people who know about dentistry than I have reached the decision on 6 months for good reasons, and if more data comes to light, I would support them updating those recommendations, but I wouldn't voluntarily visit every 3 months, without that recommendation
  - wolco 7y ago
    But it is your decision and your friends and everyone who feels like the government could use more funds. If you posted what you did on twitter a movement could start. Taxes directly pay for services seen or unseen. Not seeing garbage in the streets or having running water are examples. What kind of services do you use? Would you like to see more services or pay less taxes?

wolco 7y ago

You do have the right to pay additional taxes over the minimum if you believe in the cause. Why do things to minimise your taxes if you don't mind paying more and see it as a benefit to society?

benj111 7y ago
First because as I said its a decision for society, just as it isn't exclusively my decision to pay more tax, it shouldn't be exclusively Joe Bloggs decision to pay less tax. At the extreme you could make all taxes voluntary, I don't think that would work because too many people wouldn't pay enough,(or indeed anything), then you'd get a second wave watching those not pay anything and stop contributing themselves. Second, its a bit abstract, there isn't 'a cause', it's taxes, I don't like paying taxes, just like I don't like going to the dentist, but it needs to be done so I do it. The dentist says come back in 6 months, so I come back in 6 months. I trust that people who know about dentistry than I have reached the decision on 6 months for good reasons, and if more data comes to light, I would support them updating those recommendations, but I wouldn't voluntarily visit every 3 months, without that recommendation
- wolco 7y ago
  But it is your decision and your friends and everyone who feels like the government could use more funds. If you posted what you did on twitter a movement could start. Taxes directly pay for services seen or unseen. Not seeing garbage in the streets or having running water are examples. What kind of services do you use? Would you like to see more services or pay less taxes?