• thebestaquaman@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    I have to be honest: It does confuse be a bit how they’re able to get away with this. There’s this uproar now about the wealth tax (1), which I partly understand, because if your business isn’t turning a profit, and you’re forced to pay taxes based on the value of the shares, you have a problem. However, some people are apparently capable of buying houses, boats and cars, as well as living a lavish lifestyle, while still having a “zero” in their income. My guy, how are you buying food and houses without having a taxable income?

    I think the wealth tax is a good place to start, but as of now it seems to me like it isn’t specific enough. We need some way to ensure that

    • If you want to buy something, you need either income or a loan.
    • If you want to pay your loans you need income.
    • If you have income, it is taxed.

    so that we can ensure that the money these people are getting from somewhere is appropriately taxed, while avoiding hurting people that own a company with millions in assets (e.g. in equipment), but aren’t cashing out anything from the company (e.g. aren’t buying expensive shit for themselves). Of course, “benefits” like getting a house, meals, or a yacht as a “gift” from your company should be taxed appropriately.

    (1) For non-Norwegians: We’ve recently introduced a tax based on your current wealth, rather than income