Is Progressive Taxation Fair? Examining the Debate on Wealth-Based Taxation

Tax to the government is seen as an important mandatory levy to be paid by people to the government to fund and maintain public work as well as maintain or construct infrastructure to aid the quality of life in a nation. It's been in existence for years, and it's no longer news that basically everyone pays tax directly or indirectly as individuals or an organization, but then there's this recent uproar that people should be charged tax according to how wealthy they're and not an equal percentage with others. Is this ideal, and should such be encouraged? Today I'll state my opinion on this.

20240809_204346_0001.png

To start with, it's worth noting that up until now, not everyone agrees with the idea behind taxing, as it's seen as more of a burden on individuals than a levy to elevate the nation, but then it's a law, and everyone is to abide by it regardless of their take on it, so in an advent that most people don't agree with it, I personally think it might most likely seem unfair to charge people differently because of their status, wealth, or reputation, and I'll explain why below.

Now to start, I first sight an example of an organization. Take, for instance, two people who set up an organization on the same day and did their best in grooming it to the best of their capacity, and fortunately for one, their organization went on to become a multimillionaire GDP, while the other is still struggling to elevate beyond hundreds of thousands. Now, when we want to charge, should the organization that's doing well be charged 50% as tax while the other who isn't doing well be charged 20% because of its status?

In my opinion, that'll be unfair and insensitive, but everyone has the same opportunity to attain their full potential, but only one did. We shouldn't, because of the others person laziness or back luck, now punish someone who works hard to reach the level they're at, so I believe an equal percentage of tax is the best way forward. Of course, when it's measured in percent, the person who has more will still end up paying more, but it's better than charging someone 10 percent and another 20 percent.

Oddly, the flat rate of task is 10 percent; someone who earns 1 million Naira knows their ten percent is one hundred thousand, while someone who earns one hundred thousand also knows their own ten percent tax would be ten thousand naira. That way everything is fair and more reasonable, but when you task an individual or organization with a different percentage, it becomes a problem that's more or less like discouraging hard work and the like.

20240809_204346_0000.png

I mean, why will I work hard to earn more so I can provide for all my needs and as well enjoy a decent life, rather than the system to be fair to me? Instead, I'm being charged exorbitantly for being rich; that's ridiculous, and I won't be encouraged to work harder again, but when the percentage is equal, it gives a picture of fairness, transparency, and encouragement to keep doing your best.

It's worthy noting that not everyone of us buys the idea of tax, and when you'll make it compulsory as it has been signed into law, the least the government can do is to be fair with it and let everyone pay the same percentage of their income. I'm not clamoring for the same amount for everyone but the same percentage, which is more understanding and fair in my opinion, because being the same amount would be fair to some and fair to others.


All photos taken and edited on canva.


H2
H3
H4
3 columns
2 columns
1 column
Join the conversation now
Logo
Center