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Originally posted by 30_seconds
The question of how much taxes should we pay can be answered with the question "how much government do we need?"
In reality, the government doesn't even need to tax to fund itself. It should have the sovereign right to create money to pay for what it needs. This way, nobody could avoid paying taxes... it will catch up with everyone with inflation.
Direct, unapportioned taxes are unconstitutional, by the way.
A tax on labor is a percentage of slavery. If you're taxed 100%, then you are a slave. Anything less, and you're a partial slave.
Only if the real-world benefits of taxation are returned to those who are taxed are you not giving your life up as if you were in bondage.
One only earns income if a taxable event occurs. Having your employer cut a check or deposit money in your account is a taxable event. Selling something for a profit is a taxable event.
Merely earning money on paper does not subject you to income tax. Let us assume you get a hot stock tip and by some stock for $1,000. The stock price skyrockets to $101,000, but you do not sell your stock. Even though you earned $100,000 on paper you do not have "income" for income tax purposes because there was no realization event like a sale. You will only recognize income or loss when you sell the stock.
The one area where this gets tricky is some people are on an accrual accounting method as opposed to a cash method.
The government should never take from the people by force that which they rightfully own.