Where is our flat tax?

[James]

Growing up as a Republican I was always led to believe that if we just gave the House, Senate and PResidency to Republicans we would get a really low flat tax.

The way the tax system is set up now, it keeps people from acquiring wealth.

But now we have a republican dominated government and it has not happened. I am cruelly dissapointed. There is no good excuse for the failure of the party.

Anyone else feeling betrayed?

[GeekyPenguin]

A flat tax is regressive. It prevents the poor from accumulating wealth.

[hoosier]

Check out websites for "Fair Tax".

This is a flat sales tax plan, popular with a bunch of Republicans and mentioned by Bush during the campaign.

It eliminates the regressive part that "hurts the poor" by giving everyone a monthly check equal to the sales tax on food-housing-necessities.

Currently, the working poor are paying about 15% in income tax, and another 15% + for FICA and Medicare (incl. worker and employee 'contributions').

If these taxes were eliminated (as the Fair Tax does), and a 23% sales tax instituted, they would come out ahead.

The sales tax also eliminates the underground economy. Even druggies who buy anything would pay sales tax.

I think there might be some movement on the Fair Tax in the new Congress.

PS: Do you think the current system helps the poor "accumlate wealth"?

[Kevin]

I disagree. I don't think we'll see any major simplification of our tax code for a LONG time.

Deductions, credits, etc. are a huge tool for politicians to give handouts to their constituents. Eliminate that and you've eliminated a major source of brownie points.

Not to mention the fact that the accounting industry would be devestated.

[Glitterkitty]

I am not for a flat income tax, but a flat sales tax (10%). we need to get rid of income tax altogether. It was supposed to be a temporary thing anyway!! If we went to a flat sales tax, then everyone-even the drug dealers, prostitutes and illegal immigrants would be paying their share. If you chose to buy very expensive items, you will pay more tax, if you chose to buy less expensive, you pay less.Much more fair and it gives the people the power of choices and eliminates the a lot of the people dodging their civic repsonsibilities.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
A flat tax is regressive. It prevents the poor from accumulating wealth.

Which tax system enables and encourages poor people to accumulate wealth more effectively?

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Glitterkitty
If we went to a flat sales tax, then everyone-even the drug dealers, prostitutes and illegal immigrants would be paying their share.

How will illegal activity such as drug sales and prostitution be taxed?

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
How will illegal activity such as drug sales and prostitution be taxed?

Under the current system, underground market activity is not taxed because we tax productivity rather than consumption. If we had a national consumption tax, instead of a productivity tax, every time someone (like drug dealers) purchased something, they would have to pay taxes.

ETA the argument that a national sales tax would bring in revenues from an underground economy might be specious. This is because a political climate that would allow a national consumption tax, instead of income taxes, might also facilitate the legalization of drugs, prostitution, etc.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Is the national consumption tax similar to a sales tax or a VAT?

I really don't know enough about economics to know if a flat tax will be successful. I just think that there must be a better way.

ETA: I just read Russ' edit, and I think that it answered my question.

[Glitterkitty]

I am defintely not versed enough to explain this, but if there was a flat sales tax of say 10%-yeah that seems high, but you wouldn;t be paying income taxes. This would make the % of tax that the traditionally non-tax paying people (pimps, illegals etc.) people go up. There are a few cities that have actually stated this. They have actually raised their tax revenue, but it has been more equitably distributed. I'll try to find more info and post later.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Peaches-n-Cream
Is the national consumption tax similar to a sales tax or a VAT?

I really don't know enough about economics to know if a flat tax will be successful. I just think that there must be a better way.

ETA: I just read Russ' edit, and I think that it answered my question.

Sales taxes and VATs are types of consumption taxes.

[Rudey]

heh and do any of you actually think you're going to benefit from a flat tax?

-Rudey

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by Rudey
heh and do any of you actually think you're going to benefit from a flat tax?

-Rudey

I would pay considerably more.

[hoosier]

Originally posted by KSig RC
I would pay considerably more.

OK, the Fair Tax proposal is about 23% or less.

Currently, you pay a min. 15% in income tax, plus another 15% FICA/Medicare (employee/employer shares). You're currently playing at least 30%.

If the Fair Tax goes, each month you get a check equal to 23% of the minimum cost of living. If the minimum cost of living is set at $2,000/mo., your check is at least $460.

The selling point of the Fair Tax is the big spenders pay more (perhaps you are one) and little spenders pay less.

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by hoosier
OK, the Fair Tax proposal is about 23% or less.

Currently, you pay a min. 15% in income tax, plus another 15% FICA/Medicare (employee/employer shares). You're currently playing at least 30%.

If the Fair Tax goes, each month you get a check equal to 23% of the minimum cost of living. If the minimum cost of living is set at $2,000/mo., your check is at least $460.

The selling point of the Fair Tax is the big spenders pay more (perhaps you are one) and little spenders pay less.

You're making assumptions here that don't fit; I'm also not arguing the 'fair tax' but rather placing a general 'flat tax', which with earnings i have from employment and outside sources, non-liquid assets in my name for tax purposes, along w/ my consumption, I would most likely lose money on the deal from what I am told. I am not necessarily representative, and the loss is by no means crippling (or even statistically large), I was merely providing an anecdote to back up Rudey.


Now here's the real question for the Hoosier - doesn't any sort of flat-tax proposal being tied to the 'cost of living' index implicitly tax the lowest-income members of society? Here's the thought - so let's say we go to a 10% flat tax on all purchases, then refund the cost of living at some arbitrary amount. Now, the spending done by the poor for necessities will consume a far larger percentage of their income comparatively, but you're still refunding them the same percentage as the rich. While this seems, in theory, to be "saving the poor" from oppressive taxes, the reality is that what is kept (that 77%) from the taxes will be a disproportionate amount of, say, $22,000 per year than it would be for $220,000/yr. It is correct to say that the 220k will pay much more in taxes (which they already do, i might add), but this is offset by not paying taxes on the part of that income that is NOT spent - and the fact is, in this day and age, a significant portion of that income will be saved, or invested (and these investments are protected under this legislation, no?).

I'm a Republican and fiscal conservative at heart, and even I can see why Republicans would push this legislation. Hoosier, I'm sure you do too - it saves a ton of money for those who don't spend all their wealth, and it penalizes those who cannot keep a balance in the savings account from month to month. The poor are the ones spending all their money each pay period; whether it is for necessities or non-essentials is irrelevant, the fact that they are being taxed for 100% of their income while others are not still remains. That's the reality.