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New Massachusetts 'Tax the Rich' law raises $1.5 billion for free school lunch and more (www.rawstory.com)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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A new "millionaire's tax" in Massachusetts was expected to generate $1 billion in revenue last year to help pay for public education, infrastructure, and early childcare programs, but projections were a bit off, according to a fresh state analysis.

The state Department of Revenue estimated late last week that the Fair Share Amendment, which requires people with incomes over $1 million, to pay a 4% annual surtax, will add $1.5 billion to state coffers this fiscal year, which ends in June—surpassing expectations.

Universal free school meals, much-needed improvements to an aging public transportation system, and tuition-free education for community college students are just some of the programs Massachusetts' wealthiest residents have helped pay for after voters approved the law in 2022 amid growing calls across the United States to tax the richest households and corporations.

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[-] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago

You’re not obligated to pay taxes any more than you’re obligated to live in a society.

That's not actually true. As a practical matter you can easily dodge your obligation by getting a job under the table that pays on cash, but the legal obligation remains. If you go without income and property entirely you'll have the same problems any homeless person does.

You’re perfectly free to go live off the grid somewhere, free of those restrictions and also free from roads, fire services, clean water, sewage, cell service, hospitals, schools, and the rest.

Also false. You can't just legally flee the country, and there's nowhere inside the country you can do things like own a home without paying taxes on it.

I'm not defending the tax-free attitude of liberterians here, but I am most certainly emphasizing that your claims are false.

[-] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

That’s why I mentioned boat, not home, ownership. Buy one outright, work for cash and pay cash. Sure, you’ll be living on the fringes of society, but if you’re truly libertarian, that shouldn’t matter – in fact, it’s a bonus.

this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2024

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