Well, I thought Canada had expensive taxes (my province is around 15%) but 25%+ is just crazy!

Well, I thought Canada had expensive taxes (my province is around 15%) but 25%+ is just crazy!

Italy wins hands down. Especially as now they have increased taxes even more for self employed people. To 75% in total.

New Zealand has been the lowest corrupt nation in the western world and recently just tied with Denmark or something like that. Also New Zealand is the lowest taxes in the western world.

 

I do believe high taxes and corruption do go hand in hand, the more corruption the less taxes people are paying therefore they pay a lot more taxes on the little tax they are actually paying.

I would not mind paying a substantial VAT tax in the U.S. - IF (and ONLY if) the VAT tax was levied in lieu of a tax on incomes. There have been various proposals over the years to do this, but I doubt it will ever happen.

 

Nobody likes paying taxes, but it seems to me more inherently "fair" to tax individuals on what they spend, rather on what they earn - especially for the purchase of non-essential goods or services, which would certainly be the case with computer software primarily designed for entertainment.

 

But, it's my understanding that in most European countries, individuals pay both high VAT taxes, and also high income taxes as well.

 

 

I do believe high taxes and corruption do go hand in hand, the more corruption the less taxes people are paying therefore they pay a lot more taxes on the little tax they are actually paying.

 

Yet Finland keeps being ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, despite also being one of those with highest taxes too. 

 

Sure something is wrong if people pay high taxes and get nothing back from doing so, however here we certainly do. This year I'm going to start studying in a well ranked university and pay no tuition fees whatsoever while receiving practically free healthcare and having part of my housing funded by the government too. 

 

Personally I don't think this new change is going to affect me at all, I've always sold my addons through Simmarket, they handle the whole thing.

 

 

Yet Finland keeps being ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, despite also being one of those with highest taxes too. 

 

This is true, I think one of the differences compared to New Zealand and Finland is we pay lowest taxes in the western world and in return we get not much compared to Finland. For example, I am just about to have a baby and not even born yet and already we have payed $3500 in medical bills, also my partner is only allowed 3 months maternity leave. That is next to nothing compared to Finland. This would be why your taxes are high to pay for social services, health care and education for a relatively small population pool.

 

New Zealand didn't go down that road so with lower taxes it frees up money so you can pay for those things yourself if you require them. Two different approaches

. Also New Zealand is the lowest taxes in the western world.

 

 

Isn't that because there are more sheep in NZ than humans? I can't imagine sheep paying their taxes on time! B)

This is true, I think one of the differences compared to New Zealand and Finland is we pay lowest taxes in the western world and in return we get not much compared to Finland. For example, I am just about to have a baby and not even born yet and already we have payed $3500 in medical bills, also my partner is only allowed 3 months maternity leave. That is next to nothing compared to Finland. This would be why your taxes are high to pay for social services, health care and education for a relatively small population pool.

 

New Zealand didn't go down that road so with lower taxes it frees up money so you can pay for those things yourself if you require them. Two different approaches

Here babies are given a tax code the moment they're born!

Here babies are given a tax code the moment they're born!

This is true. I am not a kiwi I have just lived here for four years now but it is the most functional and organized and civilized country I have ever lived. My baby is going to be a first generation Kiwi.

 

I've lived in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand and New Zealand is the best. I thought I was laid back until I moved to New Zealand and Kiwi's are like "think I may wear pants today....maybe, think I might think about that some more..."

 

Also New Zealand is a country were people don't wear shoes, even in the grocery store or cafe or pub, it is common to see people walking around with no shoes on. Can't do that in America because if they cut their toe they sue, so that is the No Shirt No Shoes No Service culture...New Zealand is a no litigation nation so go barefoot wherever you please.

This is true. I am not a kiwi I have just lived here for four years now but it is the most functional and organized and civilized country I have ever lived. My baby is going to be a first generation Kiwi.

 

I've lived in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand and New Zealand is the best. I thought I was laid back until I moved to New Zealand and Kiwi's are like "think I may wear pants today....maybe, think I might think about that some more..."

 

Also New Zealand is a country were people don't wear shoes, even in the grocery store or cafe or pub, it is common to see people walking around with no shoes on. Can't do that in America because if they cut their toe they sue, so that is the No Shirt No Shoes No Service culture...New Zealand is a no litigation nation so go barefoot wherever you please.

 

vololiberista, on 02 Jan 2015 - 10:37 PM, said:

Here babies are given a tax code the moment they're born!

 

I'm referring to where I live and that's not NZ!

I would not mind paying a substantial VAT tax in the U.S. - IF (and ONLY if) the VAT tax was levied in lieu of a tax on incomes. There have been various proposals over the years to do this, but I doubt it will ever happen.

 

Nobody likes paying taxes, but it seems to me more inherently "fair" to tax individuals on what they spend, rather on what they earn - especially for the purchase of non-essential goods or services, which would certainly be the case with computer software primarily designed for entertainment.

 

But, it's my understanding that in most European countries, individuals pay both high VAT taxes, and also high income taxes as well.

I couldn't agree with you more.  It is much more fair and sensible to tax someone's spending instead of their labor and production.

 

The problems with a consumption tax in lieu of an income tax are:

 

1. It makes too much sense

2. It simplifies taxes too much - need to keep it complicated to confuse the public and keep the tax attorneys in business

3. The govt. will inevitably levy an income tax on top of the consumption tax when they want more money, despite promises to the contrary

 

Dave

Already done:

 

http://www.taxamo.com/

 

Fees are very reasonable, 20 cents per transaction for less than 2000 transactions per month, and less if you do more.

 

Glad to see this is available for small businesses.  20 cents/transaction seems reasonable, certainly most FS customers will not be concerned if this cost is passed on to the customer.

I'm referring to where I live and that's not NZ!

 

Yes I understood that. In New Zealand they do the same with the tax number at birth. Here it is called an IRD number (Inland Revenue Department) and that is done at birth as well. 

 

I got mine assigned to me when I was a landed immigrant so my number won't be too far off of my newborns, about 4 years apart

3. The govt. will inevitably levy an income tax on top of the consumption tax when they want more money, despite promises to the contrary

 

Dave

They do that already! Vat is an EU tax collected by the various governments on Brussels behalf. Brussels decreed that vat should be 30% but allows governments to fix it at their own rate. However, any shortfall must be made up. A simple example is books that in the UK attract zero rate vat. Brussels on the other hand decrees that books should attract the full rate and therefore do their calculations accordingly. The UK government has to pay Brussels the uncollected vat as if books had been charged at the full rate. They get that money from the income tax revenue.