Thursday, March 26, 2009

Ontario Budget

"•Cutting personal income tax rate from 6.05% to 5.05% on the first $36,848. Rates for next two categories ($36,848 - $73,698 and greater than $73,698) stay the same, at 9.15% and 11.16%."

I love the rich. One day I hope to be one. The rich pay most of the tax. The top 10% of income earners pay something like 40% of total tax revenue. The bottom 50% pay something like 10%. Hug the rich; they pay the bills!

Why are the rich rich? Because they work hard and smart. They are highly productive people. Sure some inherit their wealth but most earn it.

The Ontario government is cutting tax the typical way. They are lowering tax rates at the bottom of the income spectrum and leaving rates at the top as is. (I am pleasantly surprised they didn't raise them). If the goal is to reignite an economy, the opposite should be done. Or, cut tax rates accross the income spectrum by the same percentage amount. For example, cut all rates by 10%.

Income tax is a disincentive to earn income. The higher the tax the greater the disincentive. A progressive tax increases the disincentive as income rises. In Ontario, income over approximately $126,000 is taxed at 46%. Talk about disincentive! Why not decrease the disincentive (increase the incentive) to work and invest for the most productive in society. Long live supply side economics!

Right On

1 comment:

  1. That is right! I retired early, in part, due to over-taxation bringing diminishing returns. As well, I bought my children homes with my inheritance to bring myself out of the most over-taxed bracket to prevent erosion of my retirement investments. If the government is concerned about keeping experienced, knowledgeable people in the workforce, over-taxation is counter-productive.

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