| Regressive Tax |
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A regressive tax is a Tax which takes a larger Percentage of Income from people whose income is low. Often it is a ''fixed'' tax — every person has to pay the same amount of money, such as a Poll Tax (a “head” tax, which may be a tax to vote). Alternatively, it may be a tax on consumption such as VAT . A regressive tax places Proportion ately more of a burden on those with lower incomes. Regressive taxes, as opposed to Progressive Tax es, are more burdensome on lower-income individuals than on higher-income individuals and corporations. Even non-income taxes can be regressive relative to income. The regressivity of a particular tax often depends on the propensity of the tax payers to engage in the taxed activity relative to their income. In other words, if the activity being taxed is one more likely to be carried out by the poor and less likely to be carried out by the rich, then the tax is regressive. To determine whether a tax is regressive, the income-elasticity of the good being taxed as well as the income-substitution effect must be considered. ADVOCACY AND CRITICISM Supply-side economics advocated regressive taxes as a means to solve the problem of Stagflation . There is considerable debate as to whether regressive taxes are such a solution, in practice and in theory. It should be pointed out that the highest Tax Bracket in the United States before President Ronald Reagan was 70%, a percentage viewed by some as being too high, and thus straining the main arguments for Progressive Tax es. Opponents of this high tax rate for the rich (or high tax rates for the rich in general) argue that it lowers the incentive to work and innovate, while proponents argue that since the rich are still indeed rich, their incentive is left intact (or, alternatively, they may argue that most of the rich no longer work and innovate once they reach a certain level of wealth, or at least have no particular need to do so in order to maintain their lifestyle). It should be taken into consideration that high taxes on the rich could reduce their ability to expand their businesses and thus fewer jobs to be had. Finally, it should also be pointed out that currently (as of 2004) the highest Tax Bracket in the United States is 35%, one of the lowest in the world; however, many American states levy their own income tax in addition to the federal rate and added with Social Security which is also taxed based on income, can amount to half or near half of an individual's income. It is natural to expect that some of those individuals and organizations which benefit most directly and most tangibly from a regressive tax (namely wealthy individuals and corporations), will advocate such a tax regardless of the mainstream positions for and against. Therefore it is suggested by detractors that regressive taxes are the darlings of the wealthy and of special interest groups. There are indeed numerous lobbies and political groups devoted to regressive taxes. Virtually all opponents of regressive taxation note that a regressive tax effectively punishes the poor for being poor, placing a higher burden on those least able to bear that burden. EXAMPLES OF REGRESSIVE TAXES
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