In the long run they are, but if immediately enacted, old capital is treated much differently. When a VAT is enacted and a saver switches to consumption, he still pays tax. In a flat tax, realized capital that is used for consumption is not taxed.
There are some "fairness" issues that are different depending on the version. For example, is it fair that a retiree who saved after tax income is now double taxed with a VAT? Is it fair that a trust fund kid pays 0 tax even if all he does is consume under a flat tax?
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