Spain recently imposed a new wealth tax on high net worth taxpayers.

It has also abolished the wealth tax (after the previous social democratic government had already abolished the inheritance tax).

Italy s armada of Guardia di Finanza boats would hardly forestall a massive exodus of wealth if Italians see a sizable wealth tax coming.

In this context, a new wealth tax could be a dangerous proposition for the PD.

In addition, the administrative difficulties of instituting a comprehensive wealth tax are formidable, raising questions about fairness.

The tax plan highlighted that Italy, like Japan, is a country of public debt and private wealth.

Capitalists control wealth and wealth creation.

Another issue with the potential to undermine the PD s standing is the party s advocacy of a new wealth tax.

Then there are people who simply prefer not to diminish their wealth by complying with their country s tax requirements.

And, if it were really possible to ensure that the wealth levy would be temporary, such a tax would, in principle, be much less distortionary than imposing higher marginal tax rates on income. Unfortunately, while a wealth tax may be a sound way to help a country dig out of a deep fiscal pit, it is hardly a panacea.

The idea of increasing the low (12.5 ) withholding tax on capital gains met with accusations that Prodi intends to expropriate wealth.

But the financial repression tax is not nearly as progressive as a more general wealth tax would be, because lower income households typically have a smaller share of their assets in equities.

And, if it were really possible to ensure that the wealth levy would be temporary, such a tax would, in principle, be much less distortionary than imposing higher marginal tax rates on income.

Health is wealth.

Wealth is relative.

Unfortunately, arguing over burden sharing creates more scope for delay, potentially undermining the efficacy of any wealth tax that might finally be instituted.

By contrast, a French taxpayer with the same income pays only 9,000 with two children, the tax bill plummets to 3,000, and a 1.5 million fortune would mean an additional wealth tax of only 4,230.

The distortionary effects of a wealth levy would also be exacerbated by concerns that the temporary levy would not be a one off tax.

Health, Wealth, and Malaria

The Wealth of Species

They gained great wealth.

The tax plan highlighted that Italy, like Japan, is a country of public debt and private wealth. As the economist Marco Fortis points out, Italian family wealth is still, if not for long, second to none in Europe.

Tax reform.

Tax reform

It started on tax reform a 'flat' income tax, a single regressive social tax, a ban on the turnover tax, etc.

Post election talk abounds about higher wealth taxes, business taxes, and an increase in value added tax precisely the opposite of what Germany's economy needs.

All for One Tax and One Tax for All?

In other words, with or without children, the French citizen s annual tax payment would be smaller than that of the Italian taxpayer with no additional wealth.

Rather than punitively taxing wealth, globalization strengthens the case for shifting to a flat tax on income (or better yet consumption) with a moderately high exemption.

Unfortunately, while a wealth tax may be a sound way to help a country dig out of a deep fiscal pit, it is hardly a panacea.

People are fascinated by wealth.

The Rising Wealth of Nations

Those Fickle Sovereign Wealth Funds

The Lost Wealth of Nations

Health is better than wealth.

He boasts of his wealth.

He tried to accumulate wealth.

My uncle possesses great wealth.

Lawrence didn't flaunt his wealth.

Life is our greatest wealth.

Life is our greatest wealth.

Tom doesn't flaunt his wealth.

Tom doesn't flaunt his wealth.

I prefer knowledge to wealth.

A tax called a death tax is regarded very differently from a tax called an inheritance tax, even though the two are really identical.