Or at least just increasing CGT rates to somewhere between the current rates and income tax rates. But if we got rid of lower CGT rates it could destabilize the

Or at least just increasing CGT rates to somewhere between the current rates and income tax rates. But if we got rid of lower CGT rates it could destabilize the stock market. My gripe with income taxes is how each year is taxed in isolation. You could be making minimum wage your whole life except for 1 year where you get a big windfall, and that year you'll be taxed as if you're wealthy and lose most of it to taxes despite needing the money more than most people who paid less tax that year. Perhaps income taxes should be taxed based on a rolling average or something. I can't see how wealth / asset taxes would play out in practice. Elon Musk is the wealthiest man in the world but most of that is unvested TSLA options that he can't sell. The world's wealthiest person could end up owing more tax than he has liquidity for. I think we need to stop all taxation on unrealized gains. Already, things like AMT on ISO exercises penalize the middle class the most, as plenty of people realize each year trying to participate in their employer stock plans. Increasing capital gains tax (only when cash out or transferring) would increase tax on the wealthy, and make life simpler and less stressful for all.