Regressive tax

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A regressive tax is a tax imposed in such a manner that the tax rate decreases as the amount subject to taxation increases. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] "Regressive" describes a distribution effect on income or expenditure, referring to the way the rate progresses from high to low, so that the average tax rate exceeds the marginal tax rate. [6] [7]

Contents

The regressivity of a particular tax can also factor the propensity of the taxpayers to engage in the taxed activity relative to their resources (the demographics of the tax base). In other words, if the activity being taxed is more likely to be carried out by the poor and less likely to be carried out by the rich, the tax may be considered regressive. [8] To measure the effect, the income elasticity of the good being taxed as well as the income effect on consumption must be considered. The measure can be applied to individual taxes or to a tax system as a whole; a year, multi-year, or lifetime.

Examples

Poll taxes

Anti-poll tax protesters gathering shortly before the riot began, March 31st 1990. Poll Tax Riot 31st Mar 1990 - Peaceful March.jpg
Anti-poll tax protesters gathering shortly before the riot began, March 31st 1990.

Poll taxes is a tax levied on individuals as a condition for voting. It is typically a fixed amount per person, regardless of their income or assets. [9] By the late 20th century most major economies severed the practice (e.g. twenty-fourth amendment or council tax).

Perhaps the most notable example of public's dissatisfaction with poll taxes is the Community Charge implemented by Thatcher. The handling of the tax system transmission and the aftermath of inept government intervention became subject to mass criticism. Negative impacts of the poll tax disproportionally fell on lower income groups; Whilst an effective government would have provided extensive welfare programs and adjust national tax systems to aid those groups, the British government failed to provide any protection and only succeeded in antagonizing the beneficiaries of the reform. [10]

The failure to gain public support only stagnated the already troublesome administrative burden. The result were riots and wide-spread noncompliance which rendered the tax uncollectable. Coupled with mismanagement of government injections and low tax revenue, the situation snowballed and endangered local autonomy which thus further fueled civic unrest.This stresses the importance of establishing tax systems which enjoy the wide support of the public and are simple to administer [10] ; The Community Charge was later scrapped and replaced under John Major's cabinet.

Lump-sum tax

Lump-sum tax is a fixed tax imposed on individuals or businesses. It doesn’t vary based on income or wealth. This means that all taxpayers are required to pay the same fixed amount, regardless of their financial status. [11]

Lump-sum tax practice has fallen out from the mainstream with only one country, Switzerland, still adhering to it. However, this trend is still challenged by some economists who believe in its efficiency due to factors like the simplicity of administration or lower tax evasion rates.

Recent studies suggest utilizing modified lump-sum tax as a form of a wealth tax. This is derived from the belief that wealth can based upon estimated consumption of the individual, thus the tax indirectly targets the presumably higher level of expenditure of wealthy individuals. It shifts the tax burden to people with a higher marginal propensity to consume. In this case, it assumed to be non-mandatory and one-time. [12]

A tax with a cap

A tax with a cap, above which no taxes are paid, such as the American Social Security Tax, which does not apply to wages over an annual limit. [13]

Sin taxes

So-called "sin taxes" (pigouvian taxes) levies imposed on goods and activities deemed harmful to individuals or society (most common examples are tobacco, alcohol or gambling). Regressivity in sin taxes stems from their disproportionate impact on lower-income households, who tend to allocate a larger share of their income to sin goods compared to wealthier individuals. [14] Such taxes are often imposed at a flat rate so they will make up a greater proportion of the final price of cheaper brands, compared to the higher-quality products generally consumed by the wealthy. For example, "people in the bottom income quintile spend a 78% larger share of their income on alcohol taxes than people in the top quintile." [8] Tobacco in particular is highly regressive, with the bottom quintile of income paying an effective rate 583% higher than that of the top quintile. [8] Other example is the fact that just 10% of households account for 80% of sin tax revenue in the USA. [15]

Allowance reduction

An allowance reduction [16] in an income tax system allows for an individual's personal allowance to be withdrawn, making a higher marginal tax for a limited band before returning to the underlying rate. In the UK, there is[ when? ] an effective 60% band at £100,000, which returns to 40% at £120,000. [17]

Excise taxation

Non-uniform excise taxation based on everyday essentials like food (fat tax, salt tax), transport (fuel tax, fare hikes for public transport, mobility pricing), energy (carbon tax) and housing (council tax, window tax) is frequently regressive on income. The income elasticity of demand of food, for example, is usually less than 1 (inelastic) (see Engel's law ) and therefore as a household's income rises, the tax collected on the food remains almost the same. Therefore, as a proportion of available expenditure, the relative tax burden falls more heavily on households with lower incomes. Some governments offer rebates to households with lower incomes, ostensibly in an effort to mitigate the regressive nature of these taxes.

A related concept exists where production and importation of essential goods are strictly controlled, such as milk, eggs, cheese and poultry under Canada's supply management system,[ when? ] the result being that the products will sell for a higher price than they would under a free market system. The difference in price is often criticized for being a "regressive tax" even though such products are generally not taxed directly.

Payroll taxes

Payroll taxes, such as FICA and Unemployment Insurance in the United States, and consumption taxes such as value-added tax and sales taxes are regressive in that they both raise prices of purchased goods. [18] Lower-income earners save and invest less money, so pay a larger proportion of their income toward these taxes, directly for sales tax and as the price increase required to make revenue covering payrolls for payroll taxes.

Tariffs

Tariffs are a tax imposed on imported goods form another country. [19] Their main purpose, besides increasing revenue, is to protect domestic industries, since governments can use tariffs to benefit particular industries, often doing so to protect companies and jobs. For example, a tariff might be imposed on an imported good that competes with a domestically-produced good, making the imported good more expensive and thus less attractive to consumers. Some examples include tariffs imposed on steel imported into United States from all countries except for Canada and Mexico in April 2018 by Donald Trump. [20] Tariffs are often considered regressive as they disproportionately burden those with lower incomes, who typically spend a higher percentage of their earnings on goods affected by tariffs. [21] The difference of change in after-tax income between lowest and top quintile is 0,2%. [22]

Other forms of regressive taxes

Comparing progressive and regressive taxation

A progressive tax is a type of tax where the tax rate increases as the taxable amount or income increases. This means that individuals or entities with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes. [24] [25] [26] [27] On the contrary, a regressive tax is a tax system where the tax rate decreases as the taxable amount increases. This implies that as the value of the asset purchased or owned by the taxpayer increases, the tax rate applied decreases.

In a progressive tax system, the tax is levied on income or profit based on a rate schedule that increases as income or profit increases. This is in stark contrast to a regressive tax system, where the tax is charged as a percentage of the asset purchased or owned by the taxpayer, regardless of their income or ability to pay. [28] [29] [30] [31]

One of the key features of a progressive tax system is that it takes into account the taxpayer’s ability to pay. This means that higher-income individuals or entities are taxed at a higher rate because they have a greater ability to pay the tax. In contrast, in a regressive tax system, the level of income of the taxpayer is not considered. This means that the tax is applied equally to all taxpayers, regardless of their income level. [32] [33] [34] [28]

Progressive tax systems typically include all forms of direct taxes, which are taxes that are paid directly to the government by the individual or entity on whom it is imposed. On the other hand, regressive tax systems usually encompass all forms of indirect taxes, which are taxes that are collected by an intermediary (such as a retail store) from the person who bears the ultimate economic burden of the tax (such as the consumer). [35] [32] [34] [36] [37]

In a progressive tax system, the marginal tax rate (the tax rate on the last dollar of income earned) is greater than the average tax rate (the total tax paid divided by total income earned). Conversely, in a regressive tax system, the marginal tax rate is lower than the average tax rate. [38] [39] [40] [41]

Measurement

One common way to measure tax progressivity is by looking at the percentage change in after-tax income. This method assumes that a household’s economic wellbeing, or welfare, is closely linked to its after-tax income. Therefore, a tax cut that increases everyone’s after-tax income by the same percentage leaves the relative distribution of after-tax income unchanged. If a tax cut increases after-tax income proportionately more for lower-income taxpayers than for higher-income taxpayers, it will make the tax system more progressive (or less regressive). Conversely, a tax cut that increases after-tax income proportionately more for higher-income taxpayers than for lower-income taxpayers will make the tax system less progressive (or more regressive). [42] [43] [44] [45]

However, this method has its limitations. For instance, it does not take into account the fact that the burden of paying a certain amount of tax is much greater on a household with a lower income than it is on a household with a higher income. Therefore, some analysts believe that other measures, such as the share of the tax cut received, and the size of the tax cut in both absolute dollars and as a percentage of initial tax liability, are more accurate representations of the distribution of tax burdens.

Another approach to measuring tax progressivity is by looking at the redistributive effect of taxes and transfers. This method involves measuring the difference in the Gini coefficient of incomes before and after taxes and transfers. The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality, with 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing perfect inequality. Therefore, a decrease in the Gini coefficient after taxes and transfers would indicate that the tax system is progressive.

In low-income countries, a detailed analysis of progressivity requires a welfare ranking of individuals or households, and for tax liabilities of each individual or household to be ascertained. This method takes into account the broader concept of redistribution, which includes not only taxes but also transfers and other forms of government intervention. [46]

Political ideologies and taxation policy

Neoliberalism, characterized by its emphasis on free markets, limited government intervention, and individual responsibility, has had a profound impact on tax systems worldwide. Neoliberal tax policies typically prioritize reducing taxes for the wealthy and corporations under the belief that such measures stimulate economic growth and investment. This approach often results in regressive tax structures, where the burden falls disproportionately on lower-income individuals and households.

In contrast to neoliberalism, social democratic ideologies advocate for progressive taxation as a means of redistributing wealth and funding social welfare programs. Progressive taxation entails higher tax rates for those with higher incomes, with the aim of mitigating inequality and providing resources for public goods and services. Social democratic countries often prioritize universal access to healthcare, education, and social security, funded through progressive taxation and robust public investment.

Implementations

Examining real-world examples of regressive taxation offers valuable insights into its impact on different societies and the efficacy of various policy responses. In 2005, the Swiss canton of Obwalden implemented a regressive taxation system. It was struck down by the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland in 2007, because it ran counter to the Swiss Federal Constitution. [47]

Regressive taxes are implemented in the United States primarily through sales taxes, excise taxes, and payroll taxes. [48] Sales taxes are imposed by state and local governments on goods and services, impacting lower-income individuals more as they spend a larger portion of their income on necessities subject to these taxes. Excise taxes, such as those on gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol, also tend to affect lower-income households disproportionately because they consume a higher percentage of their income on these taxed items. Additionally, the Social Security payroll tax is regressive up to a certain income threshold, as it applies to all workers but only taxes a portion of their earnings, exempting higher-income earners beyond that threshold. These regressive tax mechanisms exacerbates inequality since lower-income individuals are paying a larger share of their income in taxes compared to higher-income individuals. Tax cuts for the wealthy under the Trump administration further tilted the scales in favor of the rich, contributing to income inequality concerns in the U.S.

Brazil uses regressive tax system. Those who earn up to twice the minimum wage spend 48.8% of their income ton taxes, while the families with income higher than 30 times the minimum wage pay only 26.3% of their income on taxes. [49] In Brazil is huge gap between the poor and the rich. Regressive taxation only widens this gap. This is the reason why the inequality in Brazil is high as it is. [50]

Arguments for regressive taxation

Arguments against regressive taxation

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Webster (3): decreasing in rate as the base increases (a regressive tax)
  2. ↑ American Heritage Archived 2008-06-03 at the Wayback Machine (3). Decreasing proportionately as the amount taxed increases: a regressive tax.
  3. ↑ Dictionary.com (3).(of tax) decreasing proportionately with an increase in the tax base.
  4. ↑ Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Tax levied at a rate that decreases as its base increases.
  5. ↑ Sommerfeld, Ray M., Silvia A. Madeo, Kenneth E. Anderson, Betty R. Jackson (1992), Concepts of Taxation, Dryden Press: Fort Worth, TX
  6. ↑ Hyman, David M. (1990) Public Finance: A Contemporary Application of Theory to Policy, 3rd, Dryden Press: Chicago, IL
  7. ↑ James, Simon (1998) A Dictionary of Taxation, Edgar Elgar Publishing Limited: Northampton, MA
  8. 1 2 3 Barro, Josh (March 25, 2010). "Alcohol Taxes are Strongly Regressive". National Review. National Review Online. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Britannica Money". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  10. 1 2 Smith, Peter (1991-12-02). "LESSONS FROM THE BRITISH POLL TAX DISASTER". National Tax Journal. 44 (4.2): 421–436. doi:10.1086/NTJ41788932. ISSN   0028-0283.
  11. ↑ "Lump-Sum Tax Definition and Examples". Quickonomics. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  12. ↑ Sverdan, Mykhailo (2022-12-30). "LUMP-SUM TAX IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO WEALTH TAXATION". Three Seas Economic Journal. 3 (4): 36–43. doi: 10.30525/2661-5150/2022-4-6 . ISSN   2661-5290.
  13. ↑ "Contribution and Benefit Base". ssa.gov. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  14. ↑ Ayyagari, Padmaja; Deb, Partha; Fletcher, Jason; Gallo, William T.; Sindelar, Jody L. (July 2009). "Sin Taxes: Do Heterogeneous Responses Undercut Their Value?". NBER Working Papers.
  15. ↑ Conlon, Christopher; Rao, Nirupama L.; Wang, Yinan (2021), Who Pays Sin Taxes? Understanding the Overlapping Burdens of Corrective Taxes (Working Paper), Working Paper Series, doi:10.3386/w29393 , retrieved 2024-04-15
  16. ↑ "HM Revenue & Customs: Income Tax allowances". Hmrc.gov.uk. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
  17. ↑ Tony Wickenden (November 13, 2009). "The 60% tax trap". Money Marketing.
  18. ↑ Morgan, Kimberly J.; Prasad, Monica (2009). "The Origins of Tax Systems: A French-American Comparison". American Journal of Sociology. 114 (5): 1350–1394. doi:10.1086/595948. ISSN   0002-9602. JSTOR   10.1086/595948. S2CID   21231105.
  19. ↑ "Tariffs | Access2Markets". trade.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  20. ↑ "Federal Register :: Request Access". unblock.federalregister.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  21. ↑ "US tariffs are an arbitrary and regressive tax". CEPR. 2017-01-12. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  22. ↑ "What are Tariffs?". Tax Foundation. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  23. ↑ Wolff, Rick (2011-04-01). "Lotteries as Disguised, Regressive, and Counterproductive Taxes". International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 9 (2): 136–139. doi: 10.1007/s11469-010-9269-2 . ISSN   1557-1882. S2CID   44358165.
  24. ↑ Webster (4b): increasing in rate as the base increases (a progressive tax)
  25. ↑ American Heritage Archived 2009-02-09 at the Wayback Machine (6). Increasing in rate as the taxable amount increases.
  26. ↑ Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Tax levied at a rate that increases as the quantity subject to taxation increases.
  27. ↑ Princeton University WordNet [ permanent dead link ]: (n) progressive tax (any tax with a rate that increases as the amount subject to taxation increases)
  28. 1 2 S, Surbhi (2016-07-05). "Difference Between Progressive and Regressive Tax (with Comparison Chart)". Key Differences. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  29. ↑ CEPF®, True Tamplin, BSc. "Proportional vs Progressive vs Regressive Taxes | A Comparison". Finance Strategists. Retrieved 2024-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ↑ "Britannica Money". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  31. ↑ Loudenback, Tanza. "How America's progressive tax system works". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  32. 1 2 "What Is a Progressive Tax? Advantages and Disadvantages". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  33. ↑ "Ability-to-Pay Taxation: Definition and Examples". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  34. 1 2 "Regressive Tax: Definition and Types of Taxes That Are Regressive". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  35. 1 2 Pettinger, Tejvan (2018-06-13). "Regressive tax". Economics Help. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  36. ↑ CEPF®, True Tamplin, BSc. "Progressive Tax | Definition, How It Works, Benefits, & Criticisms". Finance Strategists. Retrieved 2024-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ Decoster, André; Loughrey, Jason; O'Donoghue, Cathal; Verwerft, Dirk (2010). "How Regressive Are Indirect Taxes? A Microsimulation Analysis for Five European Countries". Journal of Policy Analysis and Management. 29 (2): 326–350. ISSN   0276-8739.
  38. ↑ "Marginal Tax Rate System: Definition, How It Works and Rates". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  39. ↑ Pettinger, Tejvan (2018-05-18). "Progressive tax". Economics Help. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  40. ↑ Muresianu, Alex (2021-09-17). "Yes, the U.S. Tax Code Is Progressive". Tax Foundation. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  41. ↑ "16.3: Progressive, Proportional, and Regressive Taxes". Social Sci LibreTexts. 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  42. ↑ "How should changes in tax progressivity be measured?". Tax Policy Center. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  43. ↑ Tran, Chung; Zakariyya, Nabeeh (2021). "Tax Progressivity in Australia: Facts, Measurements and Estimates †". Economic Record. 97 (316): 45–77. doi:10.1111/1475-4932.12578. ISSN   0013-0249.
  44. ↑ Kakwani, Nanak C. (1977). "Measurement of Tax Progressivity: An International Comparison". The Economic Journal. 87 (345): 71–80. doi:10.2307/2231833. JSTOR   2231833.
  45. ↑ Gerber, Claudia; Klemm, Alexander; Liu, Li; Mylonas, Victor (2018). "Personal Income Tax Progressivity: Trends and Implications". IMF Working Papers. 18 (246): 1. doi:10.5089/9781484383087.001. ISSN   1018-5941.
  46. ↑ Thomas, Alastair (2023-05-30). Measuring Tax Progressivity in Low-Income Countries. Policy Research Working Papers. The World Bank. doi:10.1596/1813-9450-10460.
  47. ↑ "Swiss high court strikes down state tax favoring rich". The New York Times . 2007-06-01. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  48. ↑ "What Is a Regressive Tax?". Tax Foundation. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  49. ↑ Salvador, Evilasio (2012). "The Role of Brazilian Civil Society in the Tax Reform Debate: INESC's Tax Campaign". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2333699. ISSN   1556-5068.
  50. ↑ "Brazil: extreme inequality in numbers". Oxfam International. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  51. ↑ Bader, Pearl; Boisclair, David; Ferrence, Roberta (2011-10-26). "Effects of Tobacco Taxation and Pricing on Smoking Behavior in High Risk Populations: A Knowledge Synthesis". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 8 (11): 4118–4139. doi: 10.3390/ijerph8114118 . ISSN   1660-4601. PMC   3228562 . PMID   22163198.
  52. ↑ Durante, Alex (2021-05-21). "Reviewing the Impact of Taxes on Economic Growth". Tax Foundation. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  53. ↑ Brewer, Mike; Shaw, Jonathan (2018). "How Taxes and Welfare Benefits Affect Work Incentives: A Life-Cycle Perspective". Fiscal Studies. 39 (1): 5–38. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-5890.2017.12150 . ISSN   0143-5671.
  54. ↑ Pestel, Nico; Sommer, Eric (2013). "Shifting Taxes from Labor to Consumption: Efficient, But Regressive?". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2370770. hdl: 10419/90030 . ISSN   1556-5068.
  55. ↑ Hoffer, Adam; Gvillo, Rejeana; Shughart, William Franklin; Thomas, Michael D. (2018). "Regressive Effects: Causes and Consequences of Selective Consumption Taxation". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3211628. ISSN   1556-5068.

Related Research Articles

A tax is a compulsory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed on a taxpayer by a governmental organization in order to collectively fund government spending, public expenditures, or as a way to regulate and reduce negative externalities. Tax compliance refers to policy actions and individual behaviour aimed at ensuring that taxpayers are paying the right amount of tax at the right time and securing the correct tax allowances and tax relief. The first known taxation took place in Ancient Egypt around 3000–2800 BC. Taxes consist of direct or indirect taxes and may be paid in money or as its labor equivalent.

An income tax is a tax imposed on individuals or entities (taxpayers) in respect of the income or profits earned by them. Income tax generally is computed as the product of a tax rate times the taxable income. Taxation rates may vary by type or characteristics of the taxpayer and the type of income.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progressive tax</span> Form of tax

A progressive tax is a tax in which the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases. The term progressive refers to the way the tax rate progresses from low to high, with the result that a taxpayer's average tax rate is less than the person's marginal tax rate. The term can be applied to individual taxes or to a tax system as a whole. Progressive taxes are imposed in an attempt to reduce the tax incidence of people with a lower ability to pay, as such taxes shift the incidence increasingly to those with a higher ability-to-pay. The opposite of a progressive tax is a regressive tax, such as a sales tax, where the poor pay a larger proportion of their income compared to the rich

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Income distribution</span> How a countrys total GDP is distributed amongst its population

In economics, income distribution covers how a country's total GDP is distributed amongst its population. Economic theory and economic policy have long seen income and its distribution as a central concern. Unequal distribution of income causes economic inequality which is a concern in almost all countries around the world.

In a tax system, the tax rate is the ratio at which a business or person is taxed. The tax rate that is applied to an individual's or corporation's income is determined by tax laws of the country and can be influenced by many factors such as income level, type of income, and so on. There are several methods used to present a tax rate: statutory, average, marginal, flat, and effective. These rates can also be presented using different definitions applied to a tax base: inclusive and exclusive.

Although the actual definitions vary between jurisdictions, in general, a direct tax or income tax is a tax imposed upon a person or property as distinct from a tax imposed upon a transaction, which is described as an indirect tax. There is a distinction between direct and indirect tax depending on whether the tax payer is the actual taxpayer or if the amount of tax is supported by a third party, usually a client. The term may be used in economic and political analyses, but does not itself have any legal implications. However, in the United States, the term has special constitutional significance because of a provision in the U.S. Constitution that any direct taxes imposed by the national government be apportioned among the states on the basis of population. In the European Union direct taxation remains the sole responsibility of member states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indirect tax</span> Type of tax

An indirect tax is a tax that is levied upon goods and services before they reach the customer who ultimately pays the indirect tax as a part of market price of the good or service purchased. Alternatively, if the entity who pays taxes to the tax collecting authority does not suffer a corresponding reduction in income, i.e., impact and tax incidence are not on the same entity meaning that tax can be shifted or passed on, then the tax is indirect.

A consumption tax is a tax levied on consumption spending on goods and services. The tax base of such a tax is the money spent on consumption. Consumption taxes are usually indirect, such as a sales tax or a value-added tax. However, a consumption tax can also be structured as a form of direct, personal taxation, such as the Hall–Rabushka flat tax.

A proportional tax is a tax imposed so that the tax rate is fixed, with no change as the taxable base amount increases or decreases. The amount of the tax is in proportion to the amount subject to taxation. "Proportional" describes a distribution effect on income or expenditure, referring to the way the rate remains consistent, where the marginal tax rate is equal to the average tax rate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Income tax in the United States</span> Form of taxation in the United States

The United States federal government and most state governments impose an income tax. They are determined by applying a tax rate, which may increase as income increases, to taxable income, which is the total income less allowable deductions. Income is broadly defined. Individuals and corporations are directly taxable, and estates and trusts may be taxable on undistributed income. Partnerships are not taxed, but their partners are taxed on their shares of partnership income. Residents and citizens are taxed on worldwide income, while nonresidents are taxed only on income within the jurisdiction. Several types of credits reduce tax, and some types of credits may exceed tax before credits. Most business expenses are deductible. Individuals may deduct certain personal expenses, including home mortgage interest, state taxes, contributions to charity, and some other items. Some deductions are subject to limits, and an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) applies at the federal and some state levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tax policy</span> Choice by a government as to what taxes to levy, in what amounts, and on whom

Tax policy refers to the guidelines and principles established by a government for the imposition and collection of taxes. It encompasses both microeconomic and macroeconomic aspects, with the former focusing on issues of fairness and efficiency in tax collection, and the latter focusing on the overall quantity of taxes to be collected and its impact on economic activity. The tax framework of a country is considered a crucial instrument for influencing the country's economy.

The Fair Tax Act is a bill in the United States Congress for changing tax laws to replace the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and all federal income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate taxes, capital gains taxes, gift taxes, and estate taxes with a national retail sales tax, to be levied once at the point of purchase on all new goods and services. The proposal also calls for a monthly payment to households of citizens and legal resident aliens as an advance rebate of tax on purchases up to the poverty level. The impact of the FairTax on the distribution of the tax burden is a point of dispute. The plan's supporters argue that it would decrease tax burdens, broaden the tax base, be progressive, increase purchasing power, and tax wealth, while opponents argue that a national sales tax would be inherently regressive and would decrease tax burdens paid by high-income individuals.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Singapore is a value added tax (VAT) of 9% levied on import of goods, as well as most supplies of goods and services. Exemptions are given for the sales and leases of residential properties, importation and local supply of investment precious metals and most financial services. Export of goods and international services are zero-rated. GST is also absorbed by the government for public healthcare services, such as at public hospitals and polyclinics.

Optimal tax theory or the theory of optimal taxation is the study of designing and implementing a tax that maximises a social welfare function subject to economic constraints. The social welfare function used is typically a function of individuals' utilities, most commonly some form of utilitarian function, so the tax system is chosen to maximise the aggregate of individual utilities. Tax revenue is required to fund the provision of public goods and other government services, as well as for redistribution from rich to poor individuals. However, most taxes distort individual behavior, because the activity that is taxed becomes relatively less desirable; for instance, taxes on labour income reduce the incentive to work. The optimization problem involves minimizing the distortions caused by taxation, while achieving desired levels of redistribution and revenue. Some taxes are thought to be less distorting, such as lump-sum taxes and Pigouvian taxes, where the market consumption of a good is inefficient, and a tax brings consumption closer to the efficient level.

The history of taxation in the United States begins with the colonial protest against British taxation policy in the 1760s, leading to the American Revolution. The independent nation collected taxes on imports ("tariffs"), whiskey, and on glass windows. States and localities collected poll taxes on voters and property taxes on land and commercial buildings. In addition, there were the state and federal excise taxes. State and federal inheritance taxes began after 1900, while the states began collecting sales taxes in the 1930s. The United States imposed income taxes briefly during the Civil War and the 1890s. In 1913, the 16th Amendment was ratified, however, the United States Constitution Article 1, Section 9 defines a direct tax. The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution did not create a new tax.

Economic theory evaluates how taxes are able to provide the government with required amount of the financial resources and what are the impacts of this tax system on overall economic efficiency. If tax efficiency needs to be assessed, tax cost must be taken into account, including administrative costs and excessive tax burden also known as the dead weight loss of taxation (DWL). Direct administrative costs include state administration costs for the organisation of the tax system, for the evidence of taxpayers, tax collection and control. Indirect administrative costs can include time spent filling out tax returns or money spent on paying tax advisors.

A lump-sum tax is a special way of taxation, based on a fixed amount, rather than on the real circumstance of the taxed entity. In this, the entity cannot do anything to change their liability.

A hidden tax is a tax that is not visible to the taxpayer. These taxes can raise prices of goods and lower salaries for workers. Hidden taxes, although hidden, can decrease the purchasing power of individuals significantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Progressivity in United States income tax</span> Overview of tax rates

In general, the United States federal income tax is progressive, as rates of tax generally increase as taxable income increases, at least with respect to individuals that earn wage income. As a group, the lowest earning workers, especially those with dependents, pay no income taxes and may actually receive a small subsidy from the federal government.

Tax policy and economic inequality in the United States discusses how tax policy affects the distribution of income and wealth in the United States. Income inequality can be measured before- and after-tax; this article focuses on the after-tax aspects. Income tax rates applied to various income levels and tax expenditures primarily drive how market results are redistributed to impact the after-tax inequality. After-tax inequality has risen in the United States markedly since 1980, following a more egalitarian period following World War II.

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