Estonia has a flat tax rate for all incomes.  Is this the best way?
395845
I certainly think so.\n\nA flat tax is very fair - everyone gets hit by exactly the same proportion.\n\ngraduated rates punish you for succeeding financially.\n\nOf course, some people think that financially successful people SHOULD be hit harder on their taxes - after all "they can afford it".  Pretty bogus reasoning.\n\nEdit: dorioncanada - you think that a flat tax is unfair?  I'm utterly baffled - could you explain why you feel that way?
394179
Absolutely NOT!  I believe the tax burden on the poor should be light and that those who are successful and benefited the most from society should carry the larger tax burden.  Our current system is set up to do just that.  A flat tax would be nothing but a huge tax increase on the working poor and middle class and a tax cut for the wealthy.
1165121
They will automatically take out 20% for income tax, plus a 10% penalty. Also you have to figure in your income tax bracket; ours is 28%
201657
I have asked this same quesion about the United States tax code. Several years ago I did a research essay on fixing what is wrong with our tax system. I came to the conclusion that many millions of dollars, hours of preparation, and trees which are used to print hundreds of different tax forms and schedules, could be saved by implementing a simple flat rate tax system for individuals. No huge deductions for the tax dodging wealthy, a lower tax bill for the average worker, and a more streamlined internal revenue service which would in turn leave more federal dollars for other public services. State tax systems could also use such an overhaul.\nIf Canada's system is anything like ours, real change is long overdue.
974750
Everyone is taxed - some just start out & emd up with more.\nIncome can be equalized - it is called education & hard work.\nNo one gets their money easy, if you inherit you had to put up with family. I worked hard & do not want to give my portion to a slackard.\nThey have tried every program since the 1960s when the I want something for nothing started. It does not work.\nBring on the Capitalism!
685614
Simple and profound!\n\nThe less taxes, the more gdp.\n\nCheck it out!
762407
There is no state income nor any state sales tax in Alaska (some localities have a sales tax though).  We put a royality on pumped oil instead.  Some of that money goes into a "Permenant Fund" and dividends ("PFD"s) go out to state residents.  \n\nYou have to have been here for the previous calendar year (or been born in the last calender year) to receive it in October.  This year it was $1106.96 to every man, woman and child.  Just for taking up space.  Not surprisingly, when getting paid to just take up space, that is what some people do.\n\nI'd rather it was used for education and infrastructure, but free money is such a popular concept, it is political sacred and will never go away.\n\nThere was homesteading in Alaska decades ago and it really took off after WWII.  Guys who found it too crowded in North Dakota passed through during the war and wanted to come back.  No longer the case, for many years.  But it lives on in the popular imagination and in various internet /marketting scams.\n\nI do know people who bought 5 forested acres far back on a dirt road for $3,000 or so.  So I suppose there is some truth in the combined concept: Take the free money and use it buy cheap land.  And, if you don't mind a snowy 500-foot dirt-road driveway, shitting in an outhouse at -30F, and heating with wood you cut and split all by yourself, you can live on that land pretty cheapily.  I know people who do that to, but they usually stop when they 1) grow up around age 35 or 2) get/want a girlfriend.  But some keep at it.\n\nHope that helps.
1150416
good luck with that....you know there is always a counter balance. Like free health care in Canada=Extremely high taxes. It would only be the same here. Less or no taxes would equal something else. I am sure there is something that is equaling out in Alaska. There has to be. Be careful what you wish for. We really do not have it that bad you know. We bitch about gas prices...but comparatively...gas prices in the states is really good compared to Europe...some places it is upwards of 7 dollars a gallon.  Just leave things as it is....it is really not that bad.
174564
you have to be more specific. The only tax that is the same for everyone is sales tax. So I cant answer your question more without more info
577969
A flat tax is more democratic.  There would be no deductions for the wealthy, no tax loop holes.  A flat tax would have to be higher then 5 percent, probably closer to 10 percent.  You could also use a VAT, value added tax.  That is a sales tax that goes to the federal government.  A VAT could be higher on non essential goods like a BMW and lower or zero on things like milk.  You could have a 5 percent flat tax in combination with a VAT.  FYI: Germany does not have a flat tax.
799673
Well not knowing anything else about the place, a survey done at the University of Leicester concluded that Denmark was the happiest country in the world. I'm not 100% sure exactly how they assess happiness. I think it's simply by asking people "Are you happy with your life" and getting them to answer on a 5 point scale.\n\nIn any case, if you pick Denmark, get ready for socialism and high taxes. If you're a big money earner, expect to pay tax percentages into the 70's (59% is the max income tax but with county taxes and others the amount goes up). But if they're so happy they must be getting something for their money, right?
921417
I would guess Monaco, which also has the lowest crime rate in the world. But that is the playground of people who do not have money worries.\n\nOn a more normal scale, Norway has a very high standard of living and property prices are nuts. I built a house 2 years ago for 3.2 million kroner, and it is now worth 5.5 million. That is a boom market. This is mid Norway. Northern Norway does not have the same cycle - we are in the oil and gas (Offshore) bracket here in Bergen.\n\nWe pay very high taxes though :-( \n\nHope that helps with your question
159771
This would be a "regressive" tax which taxed those who are least able to pay in at a higher percentage.\nAttempts to balance this with a "luxury" tax have failed because they unfairly punish certain industries i.e. yacht manufacturers.\n\nIn principle, replacing the income tax with a consumption tax, such as the flat tax, offers the possibility of improving the efficiency, equity, and simplicity of the tax system. But these gains are uncertain and depend critically on the details of the reform. At least some of the gains could be made simply by modifying the existing system.\n\nIdealized consumption taxes may always look better than actual income tax systems. Once in place, though, they would be subject to the same compromises and pressures as the income tax is. They could even lead to a system that is less efficient and less fair than the one we have.
422527
VAT is an EU sales tax and is more than just 17.5%. It actually is quite a complex tax that is present in many countries around the world. Is it fair, sales tax is supposed to be a key revenue stream for governments around the world and it is key to a strong economy. However, due to its complexity it is hard to give relief from the tax in areas that need it (such as charities and disabled usage) without people using such loop holes for ineligible use. On the otherhand the way in which the tax is applied by the tax man can sometimes seem unpractical and harsh.\n\nFuture... it depends on whether the EU looks to cut red tape and improve the environment that businesses operate in or whether they look to close the VAT gap and tighten the net on those who evade taxes, which often means that others who benfited from ligitimate gains also lose out. At this moment it could go either way.
490966
I think that aswell as the above comments, it also depends on taxes. Take here for example (UK) our government taxes us on everything!
54627
You aren't the first to ask. http://www.salestax.org/  \n\nHowever, taxes seem to be more about redistribution of wealth than fairness.
572387
Your taxable income will vary with deductions. \nThen you will pay provincial and federal personal income tax (if you are working for somebody else).\n\n\nFederal tax rates for 2006 are:\n\n15% on the first $36,378 of taxable income;\n22% on the next $36,378 of taxable income;\n26% on the next $45,529 of taxable income; and\n29% of taxable income over $118,285.\n\nProvincial / Territorial tax rates (combined chart) Provinces / Territories Rate(s)\nNewfoundland and Labrador 10.57% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, +\n16.16% on the next $29,590, +\n18.02% on the amount over $59,180\nPrince Edward Island 9.8% on the first $30,754 of taxable income, +\n13.8% on the next $30,755, +\n16.7% on the amount over $61,509\nNova Scotia 8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, +\n14.95% on the next $29,590, +\n16.67% on the next $33,820 +\n17.5% on the amount over $93,000\nNew Brunswick 9.68% on the first $33,450 of taxable income, +\n14.82% on the next $33,452, +\n16.52% on the next $41,866, +\n17.84% on the amount over $108,768\nOntario 6.05% on the first $34,758 of taxable income, +\n9.15% on the next $34,759, +\n11.16% on the amount over $69,517\nManitoba 10.9% on the first $30,544 of taxable income, +\n13.5% on the next $34,456, +\n17.4% on the amount over $65,000\nSaskatchewan 11% on the first $37,579 of taxable income, +\n13% on the next $69,788, +\n15% on the amount over $107,367\nAlberta 10% of taxable income\nBritish Columbia 6.05% on the first $33,755 of taxable income, +\n9.15% on the next $33,756, +\n11.7% on the next $10,000, +\n13.7% on the next $16,610, +\n14.7% on the amount over $94,121\nYukon 7.04% on the first $36,378 of taxable income, +\n9.68% on the next $36,378, +\n11.44% on the next $45,529, +\n12.76% on the amount over $118,285\nNorthwest Territories 5.9% on the first $34,555 of taxable income, +\n8.6% on the next $34,555, +\n12.2% on the next $43,248, +\n14.05% on the amount over $112,358\nNunavut 4% on the first $36,378 of taxable income, +\n7% on the next $36,378, +\n9% on the next $45,529, +\n11.5% on the amount over $118,285