The hottest Taxation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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MMTLP: Valuing the non-cash distribution

Keubiko’s Musings • 452 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Valuation of non-cash distributions can be complex and may not align with investor expectations.
  2. Understanding the underlying value of assets like NBH is crucial in evaluating stock worth.
  3. Tax implications can significantly impact the final returns for investors in non-cash distributions.

"Is Taxation Theft?": The Huemer v. Goff Debate

Going Awol • 119 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Taxation
  1. The debate on whether taxation is theft between Michael Huemer and Philip Goff was evenly matched and informative.
  2. The dialogue sparked new perspectives and insights into the controversial topic of taxation.
  3. Engaging in thought-provoking debates can lead to a deeper understanding of complex issues like taxation.

Richest 1% took 2/3rds of global wealth since 2020 - twice as much as 99% of population earned

Geopolitical Economy Report • 518 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Taxation
  1. Since 2020, the wealthiest 1% of the world's population took nearly two-thirds of new wealth, significantly more than the rest of the population.
  2. Global poverty is worsening while the very richest individuals continue to amass huge amounts of wealth, creating an alarming level of inequality.
  3. Oxfam's report highlights the need for governments to increase taxes on the rich, invest in social services, and address the economic systems that benefit the wealthy.

Do Libertarians Barely Care About Liberty?

Bet On It • 231 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Many people say they care about things like relative income and equality, but few actually change their living situations to achieve those goals. Actions can show what we truly care about.
  2. While some libertarians do move to places they believe are more free, most don't leave their comfortable lives. This raises questions about how serious they are about their beliefs.
  3. Libertarians often prioritize job opportunities and family over relocating for more freedom. It's a trade-off between career satisfaction and their desire for liberty.

The Beveridge curve and cultural evolution

America in Crisis • 99 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Beveridge curves show the relationship between job vacancies and unemployment rates, highlighting changes in the labor market over time.
  2. Economic policies, such as tax laws and deficit spending, can impact factors like wages and inflation, influencing the overall economic environment.
  3. Cultural evolution in business practices is influenced by economic conditions and government policies, shaping the economy and labor market dynamics.
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What’s Deadweight Loss?

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Deadweight loss happens when goods that could have been produced and sold efficiently are not. It means losing out on potential benefits to both sellers and buyers.
  2. This loss can occur in situations like monopolies where one seller controls the market and prices goods higher than in a competitive market.
  3. Taxes can also create deadweight loss by making some products too expensive to produce, which leads to fewer goods being available for consumers.

Top Links 640 Trump's taxes on blue-collar America. Palantir, Silicon Valley Mittelstand. Hershey's cocoa risk & art at war.

Chartbook • 429 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Trump's trade policies are seen as unfairly taxing the US auto industry, impacting American workers.
  2. Palantir and similar companies represent a growing trend in tech that resembles a modern Mittelstand, focusing on niche markets.
  3. There are ethical and environmental concerns regarding Hershey's cocoa sourcing, reflecting larger global issues in trade and art during conflicts.

A sucuri aperta o abraço

O Observador de Corcyra • 275 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Taxation
  1. The reform on regional development attached to the tax reform intensifies the extraction of income from society towards regional groups outlined in the 1988 Constitution.
  2. The new tax levied through the reform merges five indirect taxes, creating the largest tax of its kind globally, aiming to increase productivity and reduce tax disputes in Brazil.
  3. The approval of the reform will centralize fiscal autonomy in states, limiting their ability to adjust tax rates based on economic needs and creating additional federal transfer funds, perpetuating income extraction from more developed to less developed regions.

Constitutionalizing the Private Property Order

The Redneck Intellectual by C. Bradley Thompson • 314 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. America's revolutionary era brought about innovative constitutional thinking in the realm of individual rights and the relationship between individuals and government.
  2. The concept of self-ownership was strongly upheld by the founding generation, with property rights viewed as absolute and a primary responsibility of government was to protect those rights.
  3. The founding generation emphasized the need to limit government powers to protect private property and contracts, institutionalize due process, and prevent abuse such as bills of attainders and ex post facto laws.

There Are Three Ways to Get Rid of Inflation. One Is "Impossible" and One Will Destroy the Country.

Surviving Tomorrow • 314 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Inflation impacts different groups differently: savers punished, poor robbed, debtors rewarded.
  2. Eradicating inflation can be done by destroying the working class, taxing the rich, or creating anti-inflation money.
  3. Anti-inflation money involves investing in new assets, taxing back excessive money, and destroying it for common well-being.

From inheritance liability to investment incentive

Japan Optimist • 294 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
💼 Business Taxation
  1. Japan has a large stock of financial assets but they are not being effectively utilized.
  2. There is a significant opportunity to channel inheritance funds towards investments for Japan's future.
  3. Reforming the gift and inheritance tax systems can allow individuals to self-direct wealth towards projects for future prosperity.

Stop Weapons of Mass Deception

Diane Francis • 639 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Financial secrecy allows wealthy individuals and corporations to hide their money, making the rich richer and increasing inequality. This harms democracy and pushes resources away from public services.
  2. Countries and financial institutions often enable tax evasion and money laundering by providing loopholes and anonymity to the wealthy, which impacts economies everywhere.
  3. To fix these issues, reforms are needed to increase transparency, ban anonymous financial vehicles, and hold enablers accountable, especially in the growing realm of cryptocurrencies.

Short-term lobbying on a long-term plan

City Hall Watcher • 255 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Short-term lobbying efforts are being made on a long-term plan in Toronto.
  2. The City Hall Watcher post discusses tax reactionaries, snow removal, pet licensing, and more, along with a special City Council preview.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial subscription to City Hall Watcher.

The Great VAT Panic

Comment is Freed • 102 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. The introduction of VAT on private school fees did not cause a mass transfer of students to state schools, contrary to many predictions in the media. In fact, the number of private students only dropped slightly.
  2. While some private schools are struggling, the overall number of private schools has actually increased. Many new schools are opening, especially those catering to students with special educational needs.
  3. The reaction to the VAT policy reveals a disconnect between political lobbying tactics and actual outcomes. Campaigns based on fear and negativity didn't accurately reflect the reality of the situation.

Secession

David Friedman’s Substack • 107 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Secession allows regions to leave a government that they feel is taking advantage of them. This can help keep governments accountable and service-focused.
  2. Easy secession can lead to better treatment of citizens because governments would worry about losing parts of their population to secession.
  3. The idea of making secession easier depends on enough people wanting it and supporting it, which could change the way governments operate.

Atrium and Novant get millions in property tax breaks

The Charlotte Ledger • 235 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
💼 Business Taxation
  1. Atrium and Novant hospitals receive millions in property tax breaks, exempting them from paying taxes on billions of dollars worth of property.
  2. The tax breaks the hospitals receive could total $23 million in Mecklenburg County alone, contributing to a loss in potential tax revenue that could fund essential public services like education and law enforcement.
  3. Critics argue that as large, multi-billion-dollar enterprises, hospitals like Atrium and Novant should do more to justify their tax-exempt status and provide greater community benefits.

Democrats Want to Tax Unrealized Gains, Badly

Points And Figures • 799 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Democrats are pushing to tax unrealized capital gains, which has sparked debate and concern about overreach in government interference in private business.
  2. There is dissatisfaction with both Republican and Democratic parties for their roles in supporting legislation that may infringe on individual business privacy and rights.
  3. The issue of government overreach and control extends beyond tax policies, as political motivations and power dynamics play a significant role in the push for increased transparency in private ownership.

Detroit’s Land Value Tax & Tax Foreclosure Risk

The Chargeback • 117 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Raising taxes on vacant land in Detroit may not lead to a new tax foreclosure crisis.
  2. Vacant residential lots are the most susceptible to tax foreclosure under the Land Value Tax proposal.
  3. Even if all vacant lots' owners stopped paying taxes, the revenue implications would be small compared to the total property tax levy of the city.

The case for a weirder economy

Known Unknowns • 196 implied HN points • 22 May 23
💼 Business Taxation
  1. Monetary policy is at a historic inflection point, requiring expertise in financial markets.
  2. Inheritance taxes should be increased for wealth redistribution and better tax enforcement.
  3. Maintaining weirdness and innovation is vital in a world that favors conformity.

Measuring Redistribution

David Friedman’s Substack • 224 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Measuring how much wealth is redistributed in society is complicated because people's incomes can change a lot over their lifetime. A person might be considered poor at one point and rich at another, which makes it hard to classify them in studies.
  2. Figuring out who actually pays taxes can be tricky. For example, corporate taxes affect not just shareholders but also employees and customers, so it’s hard to pin down who truly bears the burden of these taxes.
  3. The increase in income inequality might come from factors outside of government policies. Things like changes in job value over time or how people marry within their social class can affect overall wealth distribution.

Rescheduling Update

Mindset Value • 176 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. The US government is signaling that cannabis is less dangerous by recommending rescheduling from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3.
  2. Rescheduling could lead to the removal of excessive taxation in the cannabis industry and open the door for more financial investments.
  3. Investment opportunities may arise with companies like Grown Rogue adapting to market conditions and demonstrating competitive advantages.

Governments Can NEVER Invest

Points And Figures • 612 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Government spending comes from taxpayers, and it doesn't contribute to GDP or create wealth.
  2. Governments often misallocate funds by investing in private industries and projects that don't benefit the taxpayers directly.
  3. Government spending can crowd out private investment, impacting competition and innovation.

Universal Basic Income is the First Great Lie

PashaNomics • 2 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Universal Basic Income is often the wrong response to automation and usually ignores where money actually comes from, making its economics incoherent. Large-scale UBI would amount to wealth redistribution and can create fiscal and demographic instability that makes it unsustainable.
  2. Funding UBI by heavily taxing AI firms is flawed because of the circular flow of money: taxes just shift money that must still come from somewhere, and AI value doesn’t always translate into large corporate profits due to costs, competition, and taxes.
  3. Universal Basic Shares is a proposed alternative where everyone owns one government share that pays dividends from annual surpluses, which aligns incentives for an efficient state. Paired with a simple uniform tax, it aims to preserve some egalitarian benefits without the destabilizing effects of broad redistribution.

Why no one likes land taxes

Economic Forces • 20 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Voters often dislike property taxes because they feel like paying rent to the government on something they already own. Economists, however, believe property taxes are ideal since they are based on the fixed value of land.
  2. Inefficient taxes tend to keep taxpayers more vigilant and engaged in political matters. This means when taxes hurt more, people fight against them, which can keep government spending in check.
  3. Real-world tax systems often blend efficient and inefficient taxes. While economists may recommend more efficient taxes, voters may prefer a mix that protects them from overly aggressive government actions.

Kishida May Raise Corporate Taxes, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 319 implied HN points • 30 Oct 22
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. The Japanese government is considering raising corporate taxes after years of lowering them, due to disappointing outcomes such as insufficient investment and wage hikes.
  2. The need to finance a significant increase in defense spending is a major factor in the potential corporate tax hike, as relying on deficits is seen as irresponsible.
  3. Japan has a significant amount of retained earnings due to low shareholder power, leading to companies not reinvesting the cash in the economy.

Some Thoughts On Using Auctions For Land Valuation

Splitting Infinity • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Auctions can be considered as a method for assessing land values without the need for state-run assessments, allowing the market to determine the value of land.
  2. The use of auctions for land valuation can ensure transparency and fairness by providing everyone with the opportunity to bid on a piece of land publicly.
  3. While auctions may introduce some complexities like bargaining over home prices, they can still lead to reasonably accurate land valuations and generate significant tax revenue.

Postponomics: Kishida Punts On Startups and Income Redistribution

Japan Economy Watch • 259 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
💼 Business Taxation
  1. Kishida's administration has postponed crucial decisions on tax breaks for startups and corporate tax hikes, potentially hindering economic growth and income redistribution.
  2. Access to funding remains a significant challenge for startups in Japan, impacting their growth potential compared to other countries. More support is crucial for new companies to thrive.
  3. Government actions such as expanding angel tax credits and implementing R&D tax credit carry-forwards can significantly boost support for startups and innovation in Japan.

One Big Way to Boost Housing Supply and Reduce Investor-Owned Housing

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. The housing market is facing challenges with low supply and high demand, keeping housing prices inflated despite high mortgage rates.
  2. Creating a time-sensitive incentive program can push real estate investors to sell to homeowners, potentially boosting housing supply and lowering prices.
  3. Offering a one-year tax amnesty on capital gains taxes for investors who sell to homeowners could help unlock housing stock, shift ownership, and improve market dynamics.

Some Thoughts On Using Auctions For Land Valuation

Progress and Poverty • 423 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💰 Finance Taxation
  1. Land auctions could be a promising approach for accurate land valuation without the need for land assessors.
  2. Through auctions, land values can be accurately determined by separating land and property sales.
  3. The bargaining dynamics in post-auction home sales can impact prices but can be managed through tax rate adjustments.

Learning from the mafia

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
💼 Business Taxation
  1. Mafia-connected firms and their accountants push effective tax rates down — clean firms in heavily infiltrated regions pay about 1% less tax on average and are 3.6% more likely to restate their tax filings.
  2. This spreads because firms share the same accountants, accounting firms reuse tricks learned from mafia clients, and honest firms feel pressured to copy aggressive tax strategies to stay competitive.
  3. The net effect is a strong incentive for many companies to cut their tax bills aggressively, which ends up costing the state a lot of money.

Detroiters Are Paying Speculators' Property Taxes

The Chargeback • 78 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. The City of Detroit is proposing a land value tax to address the issue of Detroiters paying speculators' property taxes.
  2. Current property tax systems benefit owners of unused or dilapidated properties over those with occupied homes in good condition.
  3. Implementing a land value tax could shift the burden of property taxation away from Detroiters to speculators.

"Does Detroit even need to tax homeowners?"

The Chargeback • 78 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Eliminating all property taxes would lead to significant revenue loss for the city and make land speculation easier.
  2. Eliminating only homeowner property taxes could hurt renters and lead to increased taxes for non-homestead properties.
  3. Eliminating the portion of property taxes controlled by the City of Detroit could benefit homeowners but also speculators, and may not be revenue neutral.

Links to Consider, 1/19

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Wokeness and victimhood culture are not just influenced by laws, but also by disparities in outcomes.
  2. Core gender beliefs have historically influenced societies and changes in those beliefs affected women's opportunities.
  3. Government benefit policies can inadvertently discourage work and incentivize receiving benefits, creating a cycle of dependency.

Can a new Democratic order address the American Crisis?

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. The distribution of wealth between political parties impacts addressing issues like inequality, politics, and climate change.
  2. Historical patterns indicate a potential shift towards a new Democratic dispensation in the US political landscape.
  3. Economic factors, like job creation and inflation control, play crucial roles in shaping future electoral outcomes and party dynamics.

DOGE Is What Happens When Trust In Government Hits Zero

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 62 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation
  1. Trust in government is at a low point, leading to rising interest in unconventional solutions like DOGE. Many people feel frustrated watching how tax money is spent and wonder if their money is being used wisely.
  2. Americans are concerned about the growing national debt and fiscal mismanagement. This situation has made many people question value for money from the government.
  3. There is a feeling that after years of mishandled finances, radical changes like DOGE might be a necessary wake-up call. While its methods may be messy, it highlights the need for accountability and reform in government spending.