Instead of raising taxes, can we force millionaires at random to pay government fines?
Here’s how it works. Every year a certain number of rich people will receive a notice in the mail around May or June saying “You have been randomly selected to pay $75,547.39 to the IRS within 30 days, or face additional penalties or holds.”
You may or may not be randomly selected if you’re rich, in which case you will pay the same in taxes as you already are.
But under this approach, people can earn as much as they want, without any tax increases, and the government will have more spending money.
Is this a good idea?
My plan is harshly unfair, I agree. The funny thing is it would encourage savings through fear of being selected.
Also I imagine an insurance company create a new product to insure the risk of being selected, at the cost of a premium. In effect, this would be similar to a tax increase on the rich.
,,I didn’t file taxes in ‘99 & owe about $11,000. How can I calculate fines and penalties? ,If the US citizens must be accountable for their income by paying taxes, shouldn’t the government be? ,Is it constitutional to force citizens to pay taxes and not illegal aliens? ,OBAMA’s Right: Raising Cap on Payroll Taxes Effects Wealthiest 6%: How Is This A Middle Class Tax Increase? ,In wisconsin can I legally force my employer to pay me in cash (after taxes) instead of a payroll check? ,Tags: fines, Force, government, instead, millionaires, raising, random, taxes
Comments (6)
No, of course not.
This is not Germany under Hitler.
Rich people ALREADY pay higher taxes than poor people.
Rich people should only pay the taxes they are required to.
There aren’t enough rich people for your scheme to work–even if *ALL* rich people were sent such a letter.
No, of course not, this is ridiculous. Rich people (however you define “rich”, which is usually “anybody who has more money than me”) should pay their fair share like anyone else. They should not be randomly penalized for being “rich”. Being “rich” is not illegal or immoral.
So let me see if I have this right, if I work hard to earn my money you want me to give it to the government based on a random drawing? Wow. Think about how you’d feel if it was you.
j
Uh, you mean other than being unfair and most likely unconstitutional? No, not a good idea.
Why not pick from al of the people at random, and assess them maybe $150? Each person’s chances would be lower of being seleced that way.
Good idea? I figured you wouldn’t think so.
How about just a flat tax rate? No deductions. Everyone pays the same percentage of gross income. This would never fly because it makes to much sense. The “rich” would not get all there b.s. deductions, and the “poor” would actually have to pay taxes.
We are a government of laws. The Constitution does not permit this.