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Edited because I admit original statement below is incorrect. "You could say they are a flat tax since every driver pays the same per usage. You could even arg
by nfw2 10mo ago
Edited because I admit original statement below is incorrect.
"You could say they are a flat tax since every driver pays the same per usage. You could even argue it is a progressive tax since richer people use toll roads more. The only way you CAN'T describe a toll is a regressive tax. Words have meaning."
- kelseyfrog 10mo agoIf you read the literature[1], they're regressive - less regressive than sales tax, but still regressive despite being utilized more by higher income drivers. https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/16892 https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/16892
- NietzscheanNull 10mo agoThis is completely incorrect. A flat tax has a constant tax rate, which is why it's often referred to as a "proportional tax." Under a true flat tax system, everyone pays the same percentage of their income. A toll is absolutely regressive because the burden it imposes is constant, irrespective of income; poorer individuals will pay a proportionally higher percentage of their income than wealthier counterparts. As income increases the "effective rate" asymptotically approaches zero, which is regressive by definition.
- nfw2 10mo agoGood point, I've edited my comment to clarify that it is incorrect