Art said:
What's really insane is that some people think the VAT should be used
in the US instead of income tax. I'm all for a simplified tax code
but can't understand why any one would want a VAT tax.
Art, it's the collection mechanism that is used in VAT rather than the high
taxes that are common in Europe. Taxes have been high on vehicles in the UK
for example, well before VAT was introduced.
With VAT every step in the value chain collects VAT on behalf of the
government and remits it normally monthly.
They deduct from the VAT they have collected, all the VAT in their receipts
for things they purchased. So a manufacturer buys metal and pays VAT. Makes
a box and sells it and collects VAT. Takes the VAT that they paid to buy the
metal from the VAT they collected and remits the difference. So it is
literally an added-value tax.
Although it seems overly complicated when you write it out, the governments
like it because they don't have to wait for the final sale to collect the
taxes on the production, wholesaling and retailing stages. Also in order for
a company to get their VAT input deductions, they must also have formal
receipts from VAT registered companies so it makes an informal business
structure more difficult to participate in (for a corporation).
Using a consumption tax (like sales tax or VAT) instead of an income tax is
a separate issue. It would be a problem in the US as the Federal Government
is not entitled (I think) to collect sales taxes or regulate commerce in the
individual states.