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This is the real story, in my opinion. The income tax code in the United States boils down to: Here is a simple, large amount you owe. You can reduce it by:
by kogus 5y ago
This is the real story, in my opinion. The income tax code in the United States boils down to:
Here is a simple, large amount you owe.
You can reduce it by:
1) changing your behavior in ways we like
and
2) telling us everything about your personal and financial life
It's a disgusting invasion of privacy on a far far larger scale than, say, the PATRIOT act. H&R Block and Intuit are just leeches on the back of the tumor that income tax represents.
- idontknowifican 5y agodo you feel that any payment to a government is useless?
- kogus 5y agoNo, I do not. In fact, when it comes to income taxes, I object to the social gamesmanship + privacy invasion more than the actual amount. A solution I prefer would be a federal sales tax, combined with a Universal Basic Income. The UBI would be equal to the amount of the tax on up to some minimum income level (say, 50k / year). In other words, everyone gets a monthly check that is essentially a rebate on their sales tax up to the income threshold. That's simple, loophole-free, and avoids the privacy invasion that accurate income tax collections require.
- SketchySeaBeast 5y agoThat only works until individual wealth outstrips consumption. It also punishes people from participating in the economy.
- kogus 5y agoI think we have the first problem now anyway. And I have no problem with a tax code that gives a little friction to profligate consumerism. In any case, I don't think you need to worry about my idea becoming policy any time soon :)