Am I a bad person if I manage to avoid taxes? (Hypothetical question)

[Synchronice]

It's just a hypothetical question and says nothing about me. I decided to open thread with this question for a lot of reasons which I'll explain down below.

If you think about inflation, taxes and your salary at the same time, you'll understand how the government eats you alive. Let's start with the fact that იf you live in Europe and have a normal salary, you have to leave almost half of it in taxes. Then, when you want to go for shopping and buy something in store, including food, clothes, technics, etc, you have pay your taxes of those items with already taxed money. Then, the store owner has to pay taxes of the income his store generated. Distributors, who deliver things to these stores, have to pay taxes too. Then there are vehicle taxes, property taxes. So, absolutely everything is taxed and on top of that, our salary is taxed and even on top of that, we experience inflation. This is not fair!

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

[jrrsparkles]

First of all you need to know what you are trying or committing is evading tax not avoiding so in that case evading is legally crime and you will face legal consequences.

Avoiding tax is something you can do to reduce the tax amount but not breaking any laws of your country which is only possible if you're doing a business not possible when you are a salaried person.

[bittraffic]

It must be a dilemma for all since we have been taxed over and over. I feel the same way too but because I'm an employee and my employer already is deducting those taxes from my pay, there is nothing else to do.

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

In the eyes of the government, everybody has to contribute. Kind of unfair sometimes with the redundant taxes but that's our duty to our government as we do benefit thru the health cards and infrastructures they built for us to use.

[Oshosondy]

If no one is paying tax, that could affect the economy. Tax is important. You do not have to evade tax, pay your tax.

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

It is not robbery if your government depend on the taxes and your government depend on it for the economy to function appropriately. If the tax is collected from only you or from few and not everyone, that is robbery, but you all are paying the tax.

[coupable]

Avoiding tax is something you can do to reduce the tax amount but not breaking any laws of your country which is only possible if you're doing a business not possible when you are a salaried person.

Exactly right.
In my country, taxes are deducted from the salaries of employees automatically, meaning that government employees receive their salaries in full after deducting all taxes from them, and employees in the private sector as well because their employer is the one who pays for them that tax after deducting it from their salaries. In general, it is impossible to manipulate taxes, whether by reducing them or eliminating them in any way.
On the other hand, business owners allocate part of their budget to assign accountants specialized in tax laws to make it easier for them to reduce the percentage of taxes that they must pay. They all admit that without carrying out the manipulation process, the profit becomes unsecured and they cannot continue their business, especially since the state does not bear the burdens of the budget with them during periods of decline in their work activity, and in many sectors it deducts a fixed tax, especially for craftsmen and small companies.
I live in a country where taxes represent more than 85% of its budget revenues, even though the parallel market accounts for more than 50% of the market economy. In the parallel market, all goods are smuggled from neighboring countries, and all activities are undeclared and therefore not subject to tax. Unfortunately, the state is unable to contain this sector in order to preserve civil peace.

[Wiwo]

If no one is paying taxes, that could affect the economy. Tax is important. You do not have to evade tax, pay your tax.

I think ops have a valid point,  even though the government need tax to fund capital expenses,  this is a clear indication of over-taxation because, from the ops point of view,  there is no justification to pay income tax as a salary earner because, at the back door, you still pay value added tax on your expenses and necessities.

The government have indeed robbed the citizens in multiple ways,  just as we have tax invaders as citizens the same way we have tax robbers from the government and its agents who impose multiple taxes on citizens.

[Gyfts]

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

Who determines how much taxes you pay? It's the government. And who elected the government? Its you and your fellow citizens. Government gets the reputation of being an ominous authority detached from the interests of their constituency where people seemingly forget it was they themselves who elected that body in the first place. Yes, it's immoral to not pay the taxes you're entitled to pay. If you don't like the tax rate, the answer isn't to avoid paying taxes, it's to petition your government for a lower tax rate.

[PeRo]

Definitely not, even though some people would say the contrary. As a business owner (in Europe as well), I totally agree on the points you make - taxes are mostly low key robbery. I know that everyone should pay as that's how the system functions and we couldn't live without it as we do, but most of it is really stealing hard earned money.

I wouldn't suggest illegal tax evasion, you should rather do it smart and stay in legal circle. If you research enough, you will see how many options you have on being eligible to write some taxes off.
Of course I wont pay for something I don't have to if I find a loophole or trick to avoid giving out money while avoiding being in trouble with the authorities.

[Gozie51]

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

You don't have to limit your thread to just people having same kind of model to what you are talking about tax, you need a wider range of response and information for you to know more about the topic.

First, I like to say that if a country is taxing you but providing the basic amenities needed for good standard of living then I don't see a problem in that since they also account for the capital expenditures and all that has to do with proper running of the government. So apart from natural resources that are converted in manufactured goods to be exported, the government look inward also to generate income used to run the government. Tax are IGR for the government but they have to be moderate because over taxing is more like slavery.

So to your question about being a bad person if you avoid paying your tax, there is a line between morality and law. So morality brings your conscience in the mood for you to know good or bad while law is inscriptions charged with offenses and punishment. Therefore If you evade tax, legally it is a crime if you are caught. If you are caught is the word but with morality, your conscience gives you the instant judgement.

[Fortify]

It's just a hypothetical question and says nothing about me. I decided to open thread with this question for a lot of reasons which I'll explain down below.

If you think about inflation, taxes and your salary at the same time, you'll understand how the government eats you alive. Let's start with the fact that იf you live in Europe and have a normal salary, you have to leave almost half of it in taxes. Then, when you want to go for shopping and buy something in store, including food, clothes, technics, etc, you have pay your taxes of those items with already taxed money. Then, the store owner has to pay taxes of the income his store generated. Distributors, who deliver things to these stores, have to pay taxes too. Then there are vehicle taxes, property taxes. So, absolutely everything is taxed and on top of that, our salary is taxed and even on top of that, we experience inflation. This is not fair!

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

In certain terms you are screwing over your fellow citizens by not paying your fair share of taxes, but at the other end of the spectrum we have gigantic multinationals who jump through all sorts of sophisticated financial gymnastics and manage to pay a pittance on their profits. My personal view is that governments should be spending more time on chasing and closing down loopholes that are being abused in this way, as it would be a lot more cost effective in helping to raise missing tax revenues. Just as an example, Warren Buffett even expressed his annoyance with financial tricks enabling one of the richest men in the world to pay the same amount of tax as his receptionist.

[Faisal2202]

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

I totally understand your concerns here, and i also sometime give thoughts to same query but you specifically mentioned Europe and I live in middle east so I think we both are living different level of life style because there comes two types of poverty and taxes (I know taxes have more than 2 types but let's talk about only two here). Two types of properties are Absolute and Relative one.

And in my POV, European citizens are facing relative poverty and they find it difficult hard to pay taxes but they have left with no other choice and then there comes the role of tax types because takes are progressive and regressive tax. And in Europe countries progressive taxes save most of the people from high taxes. But we live in middle east where taxes are regressive and level of poverty is absolute which means it is way harder for us to pay taxes than the one I mentioned above and now coming to main query.

Long answer short: I do not see the ones in middle east as thief if they avoid to lay tax (which is nearly impossible for them) but if they somehow find a way then it is loophole in the system from which they are getting benefit and I find no wrong in it because governments are doing corruption while poor have to pay high tax same as rich pays and their is not relieve for poor then in that conditions to face the situation poor if find a way to bypass taxation then I find it ok there is nothing wrong in it.

[AbuBhakar]

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

Tax evasion is a financial crime no matter how you justify how the government is being unfair charging taxes because the law is absolute that's why lawmakers needs to approve it first before it will be implemented. I think you are looking a validation for your point from person that will accept your ideology.

But as a normal person abiding the law, Imho any for of tax evasion according to your country law will make you a bad person no matter what is your reason because you are not following the law.

[Cryptomultiplier]

Being intentional mostly in this kind of case where it is mandatory to pay tax, is bad.
Am sure your conscience must have pricked you enough to admit to such reference.
It actually depends on how you earn, your country of residence.
Why do you think the government of most countries is fighting so hard to tax cryptocurrency?

It well known that the profit margin from cryptocurrency investment and trading is good, and how it is the means of income for many parading with unemployment status only on paper.
 
Evading taxes is an offence in almost every country, if not all countries. The rich may have become wise from learning how to avoid paying huge taxes, but they get lawsuits and risk imprisonment if caught of being coy. Imagine the case where there's a legal means of earning and taxes is willfully avoided?

[Silberman]

It's just a hypothetical question and says nothing about me. I decided to open thread with this question for a lot of reasons which I'll explain down below.

If you think about inflation, taxes and your salary at the same time, you'll understand how the government eats you alive. Let's start with the fact that იf you live in Europe and have a normal salary, you have to leave almost half of it in taxes. Then, when you want to go for shopping and buy something in store, including food, clothes, technics, etc, you have pay your taxes of those items with already taxed money. Then, the store owner has to pay taxes of the income his store generated. Distributors, who deliver things to these stores, have to pay taxes too. Then there are vehicle taxes, property taxes. So, absolutely everything is taxed and on top of that, our salary is taxed and even on top of that, we experience inflation. This is not fair!

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

The moral debate at least to me is useless, what you should care about is if you are engaging in tax evasion or tax avoidance, tax evasion is illegal as you should pay your share to the government, mostly because you do not want to end up in jail, however tax avoidance is completely legal as if you can use the existent laws to reduce the taxes you pay or to not pay anything at all then what you are doing is legal and no one can judge you because of it.

[teosanru]

It's just a hypothetical question and says nothing about me. I decided to open thread with this question for a lot of reasons which I'll explain down below.

If you think about inflation, taxes and your salary at the same time, you'll understand how the government eats you alive. Let's start with the fact that იf you live in Europe and have a normal salary, you have to leave almost half of it in taxes. Then, when you want to go for shopping and buy something in store, including food, clothes, technics, etc, you have pay your taxes of those items with already taxed money. Then, the store owner has to pay taxes of the income his store generated. Distributors, who deliver things to these stores, have to pay taxes too. Then there are vehicle taxes, property taxes. So, absolutely everything is taxed and on top of that, our salary is taxed and even on top of that, we experience inflation. This is not fair!

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

This is a very subjective question to be honest. It's like is it correct if I kill a terrorist which killed 50 people. Problem is it's still illegal might not be unethical on your part but in all terms it's illegal. I would rather say do what your conscious says. If it says that it's no big deal then go for it, otherwise don't do it because ultimately it's your share to the community and even the resources that you use. I know it might not be very equitably distributed you might be getting too less in return of giving too much, but this is how it is.

[Stepstowealth]

This is not fair!

Many things are not fair, but it will not stop them from going on.

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

You will find yourself in big problems with the government if you refuse to pay your tax and somehow avoid it. You may be able to avoid it for some time, but not forever and the day you will be caught, you will have a big problem especially if you are in a country where tax is heavily depended on by the government as a source of revenue generation. Pay your tax and avoid issues.

[Furious 7]

So, my legitimate question is, after all the robbery, a person, who doesn't pay taxes, is a bad person for the society or not? More likely I want to get answer from those whose countries have a model similar of European healthcare and employment insurance.

For some people, maybe something like this will clearly become a dilemma where we are drained and dredged for what we have, both from salary and in terms of business.
But in other conditions I still think of something that is quite simple at least for myself.
I get public facilities which I think are good enough for now in my area, on the other hand I also get security and comfort in my life, even though this is because maybe there is an influence from myself, who really don't associate too often with outsiders on the other side. there is also a contribution from the government that does the work of the taxes that we distribute.
There are some benefits starting from health and education although sometimes people in other countries don't really know the taxes now but I'm not going to argue with that because let's say I'm paying compensation for my life right now and I don't want to be bothered with lots of thoughts even though sometimes taxes make me a little difficult but as long as it keeps me out of trouble then I won't think too much.

[Gozie51]

however tax avoidance is completely legal as if you can use the existent laws to reduce the taxes you pay or to not pay anything at all then what you are doing is legal and no one can judge you because of it.

Yes it is legal to avoid tax not that it may be intentional or in an obstinate manner but the law allows for someone to pay lesser tax for the sake of other charges or commitment that he has carried out whether social responsibility to the environment where the person or company is located in. For example if an oil company is exploring a certain environment, it can also be agreed that they take up some social responsibility like taking care of the environment, scholarship in education to youth in the environment etc while they per lesser tax to the government. The point like you rightly noted is that it is legal in itself, you can be under taxed in the same light.

[Unbunplease]

This is a definite dilemma. The main issue is where taxes are spent. In one fantasy story, taxpayers could choose where their taxes would be spent. Obviously, most of the taxes would end up in other people's pockets.  The budget is a tidbit for the unscrupulous.

[Japinat]

In the eyes of the law, if we try to evade taxes then it’s considered a crime that we have to pay after. That’s the reason why we need not to avoid from paying taxes, otherwise we will be put into jail in no time. However, you are not alone OP. I am also feeling that everything is unfair for us that what we worked hard is not well compensated due to high tack deduction. But what can we do? We are living in a country where tax is a must to sustain the growing economy of our country, and so we just have to abide with the law and pay taxes without complaining.