>eliminating the tax shelters for the lower tax rates.
I think the something is better than nothing argument already shows a sign of defeat.
Cheating and evasion of taxes is the same as over taxing, because please note when X set of people don't pay taxes, you have to recover the loss from Y set of people by taxing them a little extra. If the X had payed at the first place, the original tax rate would have been lower, and every one would have to pay less.
"Evasion" has a fairly specific meaning in this context, so you're right on that. However, the processes that create and maintain many tax shelters, at least in USA, is hideous and corrupt, so I think it really ought to be considered "cheating".
Comments
I think the something is better than nothing argument already shows a sign of defeat.
Cheating and evasion of taxes is the same as over taxing, because please note when X set of people don't pay taxes, you have to recover the loss from Y set of people by taxing them a little extra. If the X had payed at the first place, the original tax rate would have been lower, and every one would have to pay less.
Tax shelters are legal means of avoiding taxes. They are neither cheating nor evasion.
"Evasion" has a fairly specific meaning in this context, so you're right on that. However, the processes that create and maintain many tax shelters, at least in USA, is hideous and corrupt, so I think it really ought to be considered "cheating".