Fair tax. 23 cents tax on every sales purchase. What do you think of it?

[Taltarzac]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairTax

This will seem to make it very expensive to buy luxury items for anyone with a fixed income with 23% sales tax on every item. Does this tax apply to all goods like the basic foods and would it be over and above the already say 6 to 7.5 or so % the State of Florida and localities put on some items.

[Ooper]

This is a great idea and I wish our politicians would push this. Keep in mind, the 23% is tax on new goods and services only and would replace our current income tax. Once the tax on an item is paid, no more tax... unlike today where you pay tax on an item every time it is sold. Read "The Fair Tax Book" co-authored by Neal Boortz and Representative John Linder... decide for youself.

[Russ_Boston]

Do yourself a favor and don't sit at home waiting for this one to happen.

Way too much infrastructure (IRS etc.) in place to dismantle any time soon!

[Ooper]

:agree:Unfortunately... I think you are right!

[Mintjulep]

All for it in our household!!! :bigthumbsup:

You would pay the tax for a new car but for not a used car.

You would only pay 23% on items you purchase. Not on what you make or save.
Much, much less taxes than we pay now. We pay a percentage of all income made now.

You would get a 'prebate' at the beginning of the month to cover the tax on basic necessities,,, if you have a social security card (no illegals).

Then people who usually don't pay taxes, like drug dealers, prostitutes, illegals , etc., will have to pay their fair share of taxes just like everyone else.

Here's more info...

http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main

[Russ_Boston]

Wasn't saying that it isn't a great idea but money talks!

[SteveZ]

You just have to convince everyone working for IRS, all the tax attorneys in the US, those who work for the income tax preparation companies and the software houses that sell self-help tax preparation packages. They will market against it.

[golfpro]

:agree: Russ. It would also take an amendment to the Constitution. Also, it's wishful thinking that illegals do not have SS numbers and could participate and that other folks that have 'jobs' under the table or against the law would pony up because they would have the same protection they have now -- nobody knows -- no reporting--no tax. The fair tax sounds good, but when you get into the weeds, there are issues that no way in our lifetime will these representatives of ours be able to play nice together. It's never about the People they represent -- just getting re-elected.

Go play golf -- fugettaboutit :)

[RCT]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairTax

This will seem to make it very expensive to buy luxury items for anyone with a fixed income with 23% sales tax on every item. Does this tax apply to all goods like the basic foods and would it be over and above the already say 6 to 7.5 or so % the State of Florida and localities put on some items.
As far as I see it, if someone is on a fixed/lower income bracket, they shouldn't be buying "luxury" items anyway. Just a thought.

[Mintjulep]

:agree: Russ. It would also take an amendment to the Constitution. Also, it's wishful thinking that illegals do not have SS numbers and could participate and that other folks that have 'jobs' under the table or against the law would pony up because they would have the same protection they have now -- nobody knows -- no reporting--no tax. The fair tax sounds good, but when you get into the weeds, there are issues that no way in our lifetime will these representatives of ours be able to play nice together. It's never about the People they represent -- just getting re-elected.

Go play golf -- fugettaboutit :)


If they buy anything,,, they pay the tax.
No one pays income tax or etc... Just the tax on goods they buy.

[Mintjulep]

Wasn't saying that it isn't a great idea but money talks!


You're right Russ,,,
Probably won't happen in our lifetime...

[noleguy]

But sure worth fighting for now for our grandkids sake.

[livsea2]

:agree: Russ. It would also take an amendment to the Constitution. Also, it's wishful thinking that illegals do not have SS numbers and could participate and that other folks that have 'jobs' under the table or against the law would pony up because they would have the same protection they have now -- nobody knows -- no reporting--no tax. The fair tax sounds good, but when you get into the weeds, there are issues that no way in our lifetime will these representatives of ours be able to play nice together. It's never about the People they represent -- just getting re-elected.

Go play golf -- fugettaboutit :)


Show me the amendment that instituted the present income tax and the I.R.S. and I will buy your claim that an amendment is necessary to change to the fair tax. Otherwise I believe you are incorrect.

[Ooper]

I believe if you read the 16th Amendment you'll see that this Amendment allows the Congress to levy an income tax without regard to the States or the Census.

[Russ_Boston]

Let's not get into the 'are taxes legal' debate. Even courts haven't really settled it although don't tell that to Wesley Snipes.

As far as the fair tax plan goes. This is not a new idea. We have floated the idea of a VAT for many years. This one has the twist of only taxing at the production side (new goods and services) but a VAT is a VAT is a VAT. Canada employs one i believe. Barefoot help us out on that.

[Taltarzac]

As far as I see it, if someone is on a fixed/lower income bracket, they shouldn't be buying "luxury" items anyway. Just a thought.


My guess is that many Villagers are on a fixed income and "luxury items" is a very relative term. A 30% sales tax on items here in FL if my calculations are right under the Fair Taxfor an upgrade in a television set to HD here in the Villages might be out of reach of many people.

[jjdees]

Tal, Have you read the book?

[marjean]

One has to remember that the fair tax will replace federal income taxes (including corporate taxes and capital gains taxes), as well as payroll taxes (including Social Security and Medicare taxes), gift taxes, and real estate taxes, property taxes, gasoline taxes, and scores of other taxes that you now pay for. And if you bought used items, cars, furniture, etc., you don't pay any tax at all on the purchase. Add all these savings up and upgrading to an HD television may not be all that bad.

[Taltarzac]

Tal, Have you read the book?


No. I have not read the book.

[Mintjulep]

I also think if we ever got the fair tax plan,
Car dealers and etc., would offer incentives to the consumer for purchasing new cars.
Like they do now with their 0 interest rates.

[Muncle]

I fear that Russ, Steve, and others are correct in that there would be too much opposition to get this implemented. Rule # 1 of government is "Protect thy rice bowl" so everyone is going to fight it.

Re the increased price on new luxury goods, like Tal's HDTV, in theory the elimination of the many taxes paid throughout the production, shipping, and sale of the item would be reflected in a lower pretax price. The key is that all those taxes must be eliminated for the system to work. With the economic and social class warfare this country is now experiencing, I don't see how the program could ever muster enough universal public support to be implemented.