Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

eppur_se_muova

(38,805 posts)
9. Based on something called the Laffer curve. "Laffer" is a term in Hollywood trade pubs for "comedy".
Sat Feb 15, 2025, 12:04 AM
Feb 15

A little reflection on human nature, and the expected response of people to incremental increases or decreases in the tax rate, suggests the Conservative interpretation of the Laffer Curve is thoroughly wrong, and that peak revenue will come when tax rates are on the high side of 50%, possibly very high. This is NOT justification for hiking tax rates, just a strong counterargument to the conservative/rightwing/GOP li(n)e that decreasing tax rates from their already low values (particularly for corporations and upper tax brackets, thanks to numerous loopholes) could paradoxically increase revenue. Common sense says otherwise, and for more complex reasons, common sense is probably right.

One implication of the Laffer curve is that increasing tax rates beyond a certain point is counter-productive for raising further tax revenue. Particularly in the United States, conservatives have used the Laffer curve to argue that lower taxes may increase tax revenue. However, the hypothetical maximum revenue point of the Laffer curve for any given market cannot be observed directly and can only be estimated—such estimates are often controversial. According to The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, estimates of revenue-maximizing income tax rates have varied widely, with a mid-range of around 70%.[4] The shape of the Laffer curve may also differ between different global economies.[5]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laffer_curve

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Economy»"Tax cuts will increase f...»Reply #9