Setting aside the sheer logistical impossibility of financing the federal government through tariffs alone, it is unclear what exactly would be achieved.
There is literally no way to put a flat tax on goods without it disproportionately effecting poorer people unless it is exclusively on luxury goods they are not buying
And yet, if it replaced income tax, it could affect the wealthy who are currently paying nothing. It’s not a perfect solution. If implemented right, it could be an improvement over the current one.
Ok, so yes, more ultra rich may pay a little more tax than they would with income tax. But, the much more important part here, the poorest people will ALSO pay more in taxes, money that they do not have to spare. That is what makes it regressive.
There is literally no way to put a flat tax on goods without it disproportionately effecting poorer people unless it is exclusively on luxury goods they are not buying
And yet, if it replaced income tax, it could affect the wealthy who are currently paying nothing. It’s not a perfect solution. If implemented right, it could be an improvement over the current one.
Ok, so yes, more ultra rich may pay a little more tax than they would with income tax. But, the much more important part here, the poorest people will ALSO pay more in taxes, money that they do not have to spare. That is what makes it regressive.
That’s a good point. I forgot there were people who weren’t paying any income tax at all at the lower end of the wealth spectrum.