Happy Tax Freedom Day
Discussion
Thought provoking or what else would be expected in a First World Economy? 
Tax Freedom Day
In 2021, we worked 150 days just to pay our tax bill. From May 31st onwards, we’re working for ourselves. Tax Freedom Day is now later than at any time since 1995.
Tax Freedom Day illustrates the true size of the tax burden when factoring taxes from every source.
High taxes discourage work, investment, and economic growth.
Tax Freedom Day
In 2021, we worked 150 days just to pay our tax bill. From May 31st onwards, we’re working for ourselves. Tax Freedom Day is now later than at any time since 1995.
Tax Freedom Day illustrates the true size of the tax burden when factoring taxes from every source.
High taxes discourage work, investment, and economic growth.
I think the whole point of tax freedom day is not really who pays what, but how much is spent via the state in total. The sheer magnitude of government spending means nearly everyone is both a taxpayer and a beneficiary of government spending.
The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
Something like 60% of households pay no net tax at all. The second-top quintile pay around £5,000 per year, with the top quintile paying for pretty much everything.
It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
vonuber said:
turbobloke said:
Who's out there demanding those?
People who drive a car?Hopefully the new protest legislation will put a stop to the unlawful side and limit the lawful protests so the quality if life of the majority isn't trashed.
turbobloke said:
Can't recall a protest demanding more roads. It's mostly XR out there these days and they have other ideas.
Hopefully the new protest legislation will put a stop to the unlawful side and limit the lawful protests so the quality if life of the majority isn't trashed.
I consider traffic jams a protest for more roads.Hopefully the new protest legislation will put a stop to the unlawful side and limit the lawful protests so the quality if life of the majority isn't trashed.
JuanCarlosFandango said:
turbobloke said:
Can't recall a protest demanding more roads. It's mostly XR out there these days and they have other ideas.
Hopefully the new protest legislation will put a stop to the unlawful side and limit the lawful protests so the quality if life of the majority isn't trashed.
I consider traffic jams a protest for more roads.Hopefully the new protest legislation will put a stop to the unlawful side and limit the lawful protests so the quality if life of the majority isn't trashed.
Then there's the tax-worthy OLO (Outer London Orbital mway).
Northernboy said:
Something like 60% of households pay no net tax at all. The second-top quintile pay around £5,000 per year, with the top quintile paying for pretty much everything.
It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
Thing is you're never going to win an election by campaigning for the poor to pay more tax and the rich less. Even if it makes sense. The overall tax take hits everyone, and arguably most taxes hit the less well off harder than the better off in terms of restricting what they can do etc. Eg fuel duty (wrapped up in the cost of petrol) is a major consideration for someone taking a £9 an hour job 20 miles away, and gets less so the more you earn.It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
Tax freedom day is about the overall size of the state and hopefully focuses minds on how that can be reduced rather than how to redistribute the tax burden.
JuanCarlosFandango said:
Northernboy said:
Something like 60% of households pay no net tax at all. The second-top quintile pay around £5,000 per year, with the top quintile paying for pretty much everything.
It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
Thing is you're never going to win an election by campaigning for the poor to pay more tax and the rich less. Even if it makes sense. The overall tax take hits everyone, and arguably most taxes hit the less well off harder than the better off in terms of restricting what they can do etc. Eg fuel duty (wrapped up in the cost of petrol) is a major consideration for someone taking a £9 an hour job 20 miles away, and gets less so the more you earn.It’s an area where the average, as used to calculate tax freedom day, hides what’s really going on.
Top earners work until mid-June just to pay their income tax and NI.
Tax freedom day is about the overall size of the state and hopefully focuses minds on how that can be reduced rather than how to redistribute the tax burden.
But again huge consequences of we say stopped providing say physiotherapy on the NHS for minor injuries. I have a back injury and time to time need physio its £50 for an hour slot. If that was the only option I can well imagine many would be priced out plus what would NHS physiotherapists do then as they would be out of work.
So while I am in favour or privatising some aspects knowing what is a very difficult choice. Prescription charges rather than £9 or free maybe £9 or £3 etc (i am told there is a admin cost of circa £3 per script).
No easy answer (an my suggestions are laced with flaws) but I also don't think paying more an more is the solution. When your phone bill goes up an up after a while you say bye to Vodafone and move to EE etc.
turbobloke said:
vonuber said:
blackrabbit said:
Who is "we". I would say the people paying the taxes till this date are not the ones demanding things free from the government.
Depends what you term as 'free'. Are roads included in your free? The military? JuanCarlosFandango said:
I think the whole point of tax freedom day is not really who pays what, but how much is spent via the state in total. The sheer magnitude of government spending means nearly everyone is both a taxpayer and a beneficiary of government spending.
The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
+1The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
G7orge said:
JuanCarlosFandango said:
I think the whole point of tax freedom day is not really who pays what, but how much is spent via the state in total. The sheer magnitude of government spending means nearly everyone is both a taxpayer and a beneficiary of government spending.
The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
+1The question it raises should IMO not be "why aren't they paying more?" but couldn't we organise things better so that the state does less and individuals, companies and private organisations spend more of their own money.
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff