Fair Taxation

[JamesBondo]

I'm hoping this threas stays non partisan, because frankly all partys are guilty of this one.

Do you think it is fair for a 10 year old to have to pay sales tax on his $30 toys? I'm not talking about having my son come with me to buy groceries, or all of the family's xmas gifts. I'm talking about him saving a portion of his allowance until he has enough to buy his next lego set or Wiiu game. Is it really necessary for the government to tax the hell out of a child? Furthmore, how is it fair that a child in the maritimes should have to pay more sales tax than a child in Alberta?

As far as I know, most Canadians do not openingly support 3rd world child sweat shops, but it is ok to gouge our own children like this?

 

[AnnaG]

I've never thought about it. I think it is a bit of abuse in a fiscal sense. But then, how would storekeepers know that the kid is using paper-route money and not mum or dad's money? And then again, what if it was mum or dad's money but it was a gift?
hmmm I'll have to think on this.

 

[Walter]

Kids don't use gubmint funded services?

 

[AnnaG]

Kids don't use gubmint funded services?

No. Kids are wards of parents, adoption agencies, etc. who use gov't services for kids.

 

[Walter]

No. Kids are wards of parents, adoption agencies, etc. who use gov't services for kids.

Kids don't go to public schools? Walk on sidewalks? Use public parks?

 

[TenPenny]

Would it be fair that a kid who didn't spend any money paid the same tax as a kids who had money to spend?


A consumption tax is fair, it doesn't matter who is spending the money.

 

[JamesBondo]

I agree that giving your kid $1000 to buy a laptop is not in the spirit of what I'm suggesting.

But, when my son saves half his allowance for something, I don't consider that my money anymore.

 

[AnnaG]

Kids don't go to public schools? Walk on sidewalks? Use public parks?

You don't quite grasp the concept of "wards", huh?
It means that parents or guardians of some sort are responsible for kids. If your kid throws a rock and smashes someone's car window, it isn't the kid that the insuraance company goes to for compensation.

Would it be fair that a kid who didn't spend any money paid the same tax as a kids who had money to spend?


A consumption tax is fair, it doesn't matter who is spending the money.

True dat, too.

 

[JamesBondo]

I remember when i was young, there was no sales tax on clothing for anyone 14 and under. I guess that might be a little easier to swallow than toys. No pun intended.

Kids don't use gubmint funded services?

School is funded by educational taxes, and they are part of my medical plan.

I dont foresee a huge loss in revenue if we stopped taxing them.

 

[Walter]

You don't quite grasp the concept of "wards", huh?

What's the cut-off age and whose gonna enforce it? Huh.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

No tax for kids, my son is coming to the grocery store with me. He will do the purchases. Unenforceable exemption even if you thought it was a good idea. Him having to save 13% more is a good life lesson that no matter what, there will always be somebody taking a share of what you earn.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

You don't quite grasp the concept of "wards", huh?

The concepts Waltard doesn't grasp would fill libraries.

 

[Cannuck]

No tax for kids, my son is coming to the grocery store with me. He will do the purchases. Unenforceable exemption even if you thought it was a good idea. Him having to save 13% more is a good life lesson that no matter what, there will always be somebody taking a share of what you earn.

I take the mother in law grocery shopping for the seniors discount. The old battle axe may as well serve some useful purpose.

 

[taxslave]

I'm hoping this threas stays non partisan, because frankly all partys are guilty of this one.

Do you think it is fair for a 10 year old to have to pay sales tax on his $30 toys? I'm not talking about having my son come with me to buy groceries, or all of the family's xmas gifts. I'm talking about him saving a portion of his allowance until he has enough to buy his next lego set or Wiiu game. Is it really necessary for the government to tax the hell out of a child? Furthmore, how is it fair that a child in the maritimes should have to pay more sales tax than a child in Alberta?

As far as I know, most Canadians do not openingly support 3rd world child sweat shops, but it is ok to gouge our own children like this?

However would you prove the money was earned by the kid? You are also mixing federal and provincial taxes together. If you don't like the excessive taxes in the east then move to PST free Oilberta. Or get a status card and pay no federal tax.
Far as I know kids clothes are still tax free.

 

[gopher]

Would it be fair that a kid who didn't spend any money paid the same tax as a kids who had money to spend?


A consumption tax is fair, it doesn't matter who is spending the money.

If a child earned income it would be taxed so that it follows that consumption should be taxed as well.

 

[Cannuck]

If a child earned income it would be taxed so that it follows that consumption should be taxed as well.

Only after a certain amount. The reality is that children don't pay income tax because they don't generally make a high wage and don't work that many hours

 

[Jinentonix]

No tax for kids, my son is coming to the grocery store with me. He will do the purchases. Unenforceable exemption even if you thought it was a good idea. Him having to save 13% more is a good life lesson that no matter what, there will always be somebody taking a share of what you earn.

Absolutely agree. How many realities of life are we going "protect" our children from until they can no longer function as adults?
Besides, having to cough up an odd HST amount like 13% will help his math skills. :lol:

 

[JamesBondo]

Only after a certain amount. The reality is that children don't pay income tax because they don't generally make a high wage and don't work that many hours

Agreed, and when we think about a $30 toy going up to almost $40 that is not a sizable gouge for more of us adults but it is huge for children.