Rhynoplaz comments on ELI5 What would happen short term if the US got rid of income taxes and went to a flat rate? What would be the long term outcome?

ELI5 What would happen short term if the US got rid of income taxes and went to a flat rate? What would be the long term outcome? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 years ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world

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[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 22 points 2 years ago (1 child)

Are you getting rid of income tax, or changing the income tax system to a flat rate?

Because those are two different things.

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[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 child)

I think they mean getting rid of income tax, and putting a flat (higher) rate on sales tax.

Mississippi is planning on doing something like that soon.

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[–] MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world 29 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Mississippi is planning on doing something like that soon.

I think "don't do what Mississippi does" pretty much answers this question.

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[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago

I have to agree with you, our politicians aren't exactly the sharpest eggs in the attic.

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[–] BussyCat@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

Washington state has also never had an income tax and uses sales tax but makes many essential items tax free to try and be less of a burden on the poor

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[–] thebigslime@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

Yeah and it's stupid and regressive as fuck.

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[–] BussyCat@lemmy.world 1 point 2 years ago

It can be less regressive depending how it’s done. Poor people spend much larger percentages of their income on essentials like food, clothing (non luxury), and rent which can all be made tax free. It can then actually tax people who do things like take out massive loans to cover their expenses while not technically earning an income.

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