This could be fair (?) if you are a billionaire. If I've been saving and investing most of my life, and I end up leaving €2-3m to my children, why would the tax

This could be fair (?) if you are a billionaire. If I've been saving and investing most of my life, and I end up leaving €2-3m to my children, why would the taxman take 20-30-40% of it? (since you don't mention a percentage I came up with it). Why should I be punished for 'not giving money back to the economy' (spending - ~25% VAT)? Saving money gives the bank the ability to loan it to someone else (or even me), thus growing the economy. Investing money gives the company (assuming stocks/etc.) funds to grow. Am I being punished for not paying a VAT or ~25% (spending) but instead of paying 'only' the 15%-19% for capital gains tax (when my children close those positions)? Heads I lose, Tails I lose?