martin14 martin14:
saturn_656 saturn_656:
Switzerland sports extremely low tax rates by European standards (low compared to Canada too). Exception rather than the rule no doubt, but it shows that it can be done.
Their tax haven status brings in a lot of money they otherwise would not get.
Very tight immigration keeps the unemployable welfare riff raff out.
Refugees are told to fuck off.
Conscription brings cheap military costs; dodgers pay extra taxes till 30
for not serving. No outside military activities helps.
They also employ many foreign workers from the neighboring countries,
generating lots of tax revenue without needing to provide social services.
Lower taxes means lower prices for gas and food.
Lots of Italians shop in Switzerland, again bringing money without paying out.
Good deal for them.
When your neighbors are Germany, Italy, it makes life easier. When your neighbors is Mexico, it's a whole different ball game. Countries play the cards they're dealt with.
saturn_656 saturn_656:
stokes stokes:
Its a no-brainer for us, but for Americans it is almost seems enough to tear the country apart. Maybe someone should tell them that some of the most successful countries have the highest tax rates....
Pretty easy to be flush with cash when you take 30, 40, or 50% of what your average taxpayer earns.
I'd be more impressed with a economically successful country that didn't rob taxpayers blind.
The majority of gulf Arab states, especially the rich ones such as Qatar, Oman, Saudi, UAE, and Kuwait do not deduct income tax. Income taxes are illegal in Islam, so is interest. But they have oil and they use a very socialistic approach, whereby the oil proceeds go directly to the government which then disperses it to projects that benefit the people directly. UAE is the best example, an Emiraty does not have to ever worry about cost. They have education covered from High School to PhD by the state.
This works in small homogeneous or focused countries, but in large ones it would create corruption. I like the concept, but not applicable in most regions.
