In the recent past, many States resorted to public spending increases in order to boost their shaky economies. At present, they have to face great deficits. They believed, no doubt, that there is no need to obey to financial constraints, but the market reminded them that any debt has to be reimbursed some day. Indebted and weakened governments are now forced to cut on spending and increase taxes. Hence an urgent need for a scapegoat. Fortunately enough, there are still some places to turn to for a credible alternative. Analysis from Jean-Philippe Delsol.
Flat Tax
Twenty four countries in the world have already adopted the flat tax. The taxe rate is going from 10% (in Bulgaria, Albania, Kazachstan and Mongolia) to 25% (in Litva and Jamaica). One of IREF’s main proposals is to introduce a 15% flat tax in France.
As opposed to a graduated or a progressive tax, the “flat tax” is proportional, that is to say a same rate applies for all classes of income and all entities with a class. Flat tax means the end of discrimination according to income or corporate revenues. This scheme is currently discussed in United States to simplify the old tax code; it is already in use in other countries like Russia, Estonia, or Slovaquia.
The famous book on the flat tax written by Hall & Rabushka is finally available for the French readers. IREF edited the French version of the book in cooperation with Contribuables Associés.