In article , Andy Champ
wrote:
On 08/04/2013 16:18, Mark wrote:
I can see why the Poll Tax was popular in some circles though since it
shifted taxation from the rich to the poor.

It shifted taxation away from property owners, and spread it evenly.

Evenly meaning regardless of the ability to pay it?

Property owners are not always rich, in the sense of having an income to
pay tax with.

Not many poor people live in an expensive house. And of those that did,
most were old still living in the family home, and a rate rebate could
take care of that, as it did.

There's a case for taxation according to ability to pay;

Which the poll tax in essence didn't.

and there's a case for taxation according to the use made of the
services.

Really? So those with no children shouldn't pay for education of other's
kids? etc?

Poll tax missed the former, and hit the latter; rates and council tax
hit neither. Perhaps the lib-dems are right about local income tax.

It would be a fairer way. But for some reason indirect taxation seems to
be preferred to direct.

--
*Plagiarism saves time *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.