I have always wondered why it is so difficult to pay tax ? - Obviously this thought is a by-product of eons of school induced indoctrination about the greater greatness one can achieve while being a law-abiding and TAX PAYING citizen (I wonder why they ain't the same!).
I oft met people (while working in my dad's audit firm) who approach with seldom reasonable reasons to plan (read avoid) their taxes in order to help them sail through (perennially) 'dire' circumstances. These people are generally good and respectable. Neither are they suffering under 'dire' circumstances nor do they posses any special mental desire to molest laws and do public bad. They just want to save their hard earned money (every penny, cent and paise of it) from flowing into the coffers of an invisible government. (One must keep in mind visibility is a very relative idea. Yes, the government is quite visible in the capitals and administrative centers, but beyond there its visibility is directly proportionate to the public assets generated by it - So I don't find fault with these respectable individuals who are quite myopic in their ability to visualize government )
I oft met people (while working in my dad's audit firm) who approach with seldom reasonable reasons to plan (read avoid) their taxes in order to help them sail through (perennially) 'dire' circumstances. These people are generally good and respectable. Neither are they suffering under 'dire' circumstances nor do they posses any special mental desire to molest laws and do public bad. They just want to save their hard earned money (every penny, cent and paise of it) from flowing into the coffers of an invisible government. (One must keep in mind visibility is a very relative idea. Yes, the government is quite visible in the capitals and administrative centers, but beyond there its visibility is directly proportionate to the public assets generated by it - So I don't find fault with these respectable individuals who are quite myopic in their ability to visualize government )
Now, what motivates a woman (for feminists sake) to part with her money or real assets (since tax need not always be monetary). She needs an incentive. This incentive to most rational beings must be visible. A visible incentive directly enthuses an individual to measure it and make a reasonable decision.
Now the real question a sovereign faces before deciding on how/whom/what to tax is How visible is it ? In olden days visibility of a sovereign was, in most cases, established by force. I am afraid , modern day democracies cannot employ such measures to advertise their visibility. So how does a government sitting hundreds of miles away from its subjects promote its own visibility ? Simple prescriptions include, establish efficient interfaces (like making local body representatives spokespersons ), achieve and indicate relative economic progress etc. But the underlying reality one must make note of is, an invisible government has got no legitimacy to seek transfers (taxes) from its subjects !
Before complaining about compliance, it might prove useful for the policy makers to make their policies visible.
Hence to tax, be visible.
Now the real question a sovereign faces before deciding on how/whom/what to tax is How visible is it ? In olden days visibility of a sovereign was, in most cases, established by force. I am afraid , modern day democracies cannot employ such measures to advertise their visibility. So how does a government sitting hundreds of miles away from its subjects promote its own visibility ? Simple prescriptions include, establish efficient interfaces (like making local body representatives spokespersons ), achieve and indicate relative economic progress etc. But the underlying reality one must make note of is, an invisible government has got no legitimacy to seek transfers (taxes) from its subjects !
Before complaining about compliance, it might prove useful for the policy makers to make their policies visible.
Hence to tax, be visible.
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