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Rob Chametzky's avatar

Somewhat related, in being about possible ways to change taxes: what do you think of one of Dean Baker's favorites in this area? viz.,

. . . shifting the basis of the corporate income tax from profits to returns to shareholders (dividends plus capital gains). The reason why this is such a big deal is that this shift would effectively put the tax gaming industry out of business. . . . [this from his endorsing of taxing share buybacks because he thinks doing that could help to make this bigger change more possible]

He's discussed the change in corporate tax here, among other places

https://www.cepr.net/winning-the-tax-game-tax-stock-returns/

Thanks,

Rob Chametzky

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Max B. Sawicky's avatar

I've always like Dean's proposal for the CIT.

By the way, gaming is possible on tips too, if the law permits high-salary people to characterize any of their compensation as tips.

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Bob Lucore's avatar

I always point my voice toward the ceiling and announce in a loud voice, “It would be wrong.”You want to be sure the recording system can hear you. I can’t imagine Nixon was whispering.

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Ziggy's avatar

Social Security is indeed means-tested, but is sold to taxpayers as an earned pension. EITC has the advantage of resembling a tax dodge, which warms the cockles of every True American's heart. A high minimum wage is a means-tested program, but does not involve any transfer payments from taxpayers to undeserving (cough!) individuals.

But this kind of salesmanship only goes so far. Means-tested programs tend to be mean ones.

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