this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2024
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Showerthoughts

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[–] TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 168 points 5 days ago (5 children)

Why not simply make fees proportional to income? For parking and other traffic infractions.

[–] Deconceptualist@lemm.ee 33 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Because the real asshole money hoarders don't make a big income and store their funds as wealth and are living off interest.

Still, this would be a step in the right direction and as others said, some places do it.

[–] DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 5 days ago

This is why it has to be their time, not their money.

[–] PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca 4 points 5 days ago

Realized interest is supposed to count as income, but there are so many tax loopholes that it's crazy

[–] slazer2au@lemmy.world 36 points 5 days ago

Some places do. Wish more did though.

[–] circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org 18 points 5 days ago

This is the way. For a lot of things, not just parking fees.

[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 9 points 5 days ago (2 children)

That would require the city to know your income.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 29 points 5 days ago (2 children)

That would require the city to know your income.

Easy enough. The city asks you when you pay the fine. If you lie, your tax return the following year shows you lied and then you get a felony charge.

[–] virku@lemmy.world 23 points 5 days ago (2 children)

The rich here in Norway have no income and no fortune if you look at their tax returns. But they own huge companies, have multiple houses and cars, etc. Not to mention the ones who have moved abroad who doesn't have tax returns at all..

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

The rich here in Norway have no income and no fortune if you look at their tax returns.

No income after deductions or no reported income at all? And yes I understand the concept of getting loans against assets that doesn't show up at taxable income. Do they not report income to their country of residence if it isn't Norway?

[–] virku@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

I haven't looked into it directly, but when the media looks into it every time the tax lists are released (yes, anybody can look into anybodys tax returns) then many are shown with zero in both columns.

Others move to different countries to get away from our taxes. I guess it is because they are'nt rigged in such a way that they can hide their assets or do deductibles like that. But I don't know how the countries they move to work taxwise other than that it pays off for them, or they wouldn't keep doing it.

[–] thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I have to be honest: It does confuse be a bit how they're able to get away with this. There's this uproar now about the wealth tax (1), which I partly understand, because if your business isn't turning a profit, and you're forced to pay taxes based on the value of the shares, you have a problem. However, some people are apparently capable of buying houses, boats and cars, as well as living a lavish lifestyle, while still having a "zero" in their income. My guy, how are you buying food and houses without having a taxable income?

I think the wealth tax is a good place to start, but as of now it seems to me like it isn't specific enough. We need some way to ensure that

  • If you want to buy something, you need either income or a loan.
  • If you want to pay your loans you need income.
  • If you have income, it is taxed.

so that we can ensure that the money these people are getting from somewhere is appropriately taxed, while avoiding hurting people that own a company with millions in assets (e.g. in equipment), but aren't cashing out anything from the company (e.g. aren't buying expensive shit for themselves). Of course, "benefits" like getting a house, meals, or a yacht as a "gift" from your company should be taxed appropriately.

(1) For non-Norwegians: We've recently introduced a tax based on your current wealth, rather than income

[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Not every state has income tax.

[–] BakerBagel@midwest.social 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Those people still pay federal taxes

[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Do you think the federal government is going to answer the phone for your local municipal traffic cop tracking down a parking ticket?

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] ch00f@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

To the federal government. No income tax in WA.

[–] taiyang@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

That's what they do in a few countries. It works, lol.

[–] CodingCarpenter@lemm.ee 3 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Dumb question but does this not just allow people with little to no income Park wherever they want? Including red zones or in front of fire hydrants?

[–] mumblerfish@lemmy.world 6 points 5 days ago

These fines are not zero at zero income.

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 5 days ago

Why would it? It would still be expensive for them