3 ms·

Should we tax realized gains?

• mytailorisrich 2y ago
  > Yes, if income really is the thing that should be taxed, then it makes logical sense to tax unrealized gains IMHO, that's a massive claim thrown at the reader without any explanation. Why is it logical? Unrealized gains are not income at all (and they fluctuate over time.) If anything, it seems quite logical and sensible NOT to tax unrealized gains... > One common technique is to borrow money and use the stock as collateral. Under our current regime, that borrowing is not taxed. It is not taxed because a loan is not income as it is has to be repaid. We are not taxed on the amount of our mortgages, for instance. However, if the "loan" is in fact not expected to be repaid then I believe that is a tax scam.
• al_borland 2y ago
  > Collect roughly 10% of GDP with a VAT, possibly with a rebate so that the poor don’t have to pay any taxes on the first $25,000 in consumption. How does a rebate help the poor? They need the money today, not as a refund around tax time. It also seems like this would be an accounting nightmare, tracking all purchases so they can get their rebate.