Category: Taxes

On Tax Day in America, we all recognize two important traditions. First, like all days, we salute the troops for making Tax Day possible. Second, we rehash stuff that has been beaten into the ground so much that you want to die reading about it. This year, the latter tradition is being carried on by… Continue reading Tax Day and the Rich

In my last post, I said that it would be good if the US imposed a consumption tax such as the value-added tax (VAT). Critics generally say that these kinds of taxes are bad because they are “regressive.” While it is true that they are regressive under the way that word is generally used, that… Continue reading Why Consumption Taxes are Fine

A value-added tax (VAT) is a consumption tax. It is not meaningfully different from a sales tax except in the way that it is collected. Donald Trump is reportedly considering a value-added tax as part of his tax plan. It seems unlikely that such a tax would pass into law given the current Congress. But… Continue reading The VAT Tax

Let’s say I wanted to maintain the status quo distribution and all of the incentives related to it. But I also wanted to do it in a way that cut the tax level to 0% of GDP or 100% of GDP. How would I do that? It’s simple. 0% of GDP Right now the government… Continue reading How to Tax and Spend 0% of GDP and 100% of GDP Without Affecting Anything

The last few months has been an banner one for the incoherent but totally hegemonic concept of “taxpayer money.” I’ve been meaning to talk about this funny concept for some time now and so I figure I should take advantage of these events to do that here. Bobby Jindal In Louisiana, Bobby Jindal wanted to increase… Continue reading Nontax Revenue Accounts for 92% of Growth in “Taxpayer Money” Since 1970