11-05-2023, 01:47 PM
(11-05-2023, 01:03 PM)dken31 Wrote: Well I hope they're already putting their money where their mouths are and donating generously to charity. Ironically, that could reduce their tax bills further, if they chose to claim back the 33.33% tax credit, but claiming it is voluntary. There are some great charities already helping to "lift families out of poverty" which the signatories could donate more too; there is no need for them to wait for the government to force them to help out.
The point of tax is that it's a system that should ensure that everyone in the same circumstances pays the same amount. Paying tax is a collective action to provide collective goods and services.
It is not useful if people donate randomly to the IRD when they feel like it. And while charitable donations serve an important purpose, they do not fund collective services like roads, water and public health and education.