O
oilean
Guest
The government appear to be moving towards indirect/stealth taxation in more and more cases
Increasing the lower VAT rate from 12.5% to 13.5%
As a consequence there is the scope for the lowering of the higher rate personal tax rates and an increases in the lower rate band
Some examples are
The reported prolonging of the toll on the west-link and further toll roads (Drogheda bypass toll on M1), increased taxation in recent years on alcohol, increased taxation on fuel
Relatively excessive levels of stamp duty, as this specifically hits investors (as owner occupiers may only purchase 3/4 houses in a lifetime)
There is no VAT on staple food types (bread, milk) but there is 21% on luxuries (chocolate, ice-cream)
(I have posted the above examples of indirect taxation merely to illustrate the discussion and am not purporting to a particular view on these specific points)
There will always be a requirement for direct income taxation but will this play a lesser role in years to come
Is taxation of expenditure rather than taxation of income a more socially aware method of personal taxation in a developed and educated society or does it just create a nanny-state?
Increasing the lower VAT rate from 12.5% to 13.5%
As a consequence there is the scope for the lowering of the higher rate personal tax rates and an increases in the lower rate band
Some examples are
The reported prolonging of the toll on the west-link and further toll roads (Drogheda bypass toll on M1), increased taxation in recent years on alcohol, increased taxation on fuel
Relatively excessive levels of stamp duty, as this specifically hits investors (as owner occupiers may only purchase 3/4 houses in a lifetime)
There is no VAT on staple food types (bread, milk) but there is 21% on luxuries (chocolate, ice-cream)
(I have posted the above examples of indirect taxation merely to illustrate the discussion and am not purporting to a particular view on these specific points)
There will always be a requirement for direct income taxation but will this play a lesser role in years to come
Is taxation of expenditure rather than taxation of income a more socially aware method of personal taxation in a developed and educated society or does it just create a nanny-state?