Because right-wing propagandists have convinced morons that sales taxes hurt OTHER people, while income taxes hurt THEM.
I fucking hate these idiots.
Note the fair tax has specific measures in place to stop this type of exploitation by creating sales tax exemptions for all necessary goods and services. (Food meds gas ECT) and that was supposed to be offset by heavier taxs on luxuries and no exemption for businesses buying essentials. Republicans seem to have as usual. Cut the good part and enshitified what was supposed to be a more equitable result.
Sales Tax is inherently regressive. And is much easier to remove the deductions and exemptions from than an Income Tax.
Some governments try to make their sales tax less regressive by exempting certain necessities from it.
For example, my state taxes groceries, but exempts gun safes.
I really like the idea of gun safes being exempt! Storage requirements is a thing I’m all about.
Food and medicine, including hygiene products, should be exempt everywhere. Florida doesn’t tax those things, nor do we have a state income tax, and I’m pretty sure the government is well funded.
The least regressive jurisdictions are DC, Minnesota, Vermont, New York and California.
Benjamin Franklin: Kill meeee…
I’d love for Washington to not have to rely on a regressive sales tax but it would take a constitutional amendment to be able to do an income tax.
Some of the taxes are “voluntary,” meaning people are buying cigarettes, lottery, alcohol, (above average) gasoline etc.
If you and Bezos each buy a pack of cigarettes, your “tax rate” is higher. The poorest people can sometimes lower their tax rate significantly.
So poor people don’t deserve stress relief or personal transportation.
Got it.
What I don’t understand is how some states charge the same excise tax rate on stop smoking aids that they do on cigarettes and vapes. For example, California’s is like 25% at least, and I think that’s the lowest of the states with the excise tax on “tobacco.” I thought the whole point of taxation was to get people to quit? But it’s only on stuff like Zyn and One pouches, Rogue gum, etc. which are tobacco free, while Nicorette as a brand seems to be exempt from excise tax. Their products are exactly the same, but twice as expensive and work half as well. It’s also counterproductive to have to go to vape shops to buy nicotine gum and pouches because California has made it impossible to get them shipped. Obviously getting people to quit is not the real goal.
Indeed. The goal is to punish poor people. California is not progressive. It’s liberal. There’s a big difference. They believe you can be gay, but God help you if you’re poor.
