4 upvotes, 6 direct replies (showing 6)
View submission: Casual Questions Thread
I understand that Ron DeSantis has said that he is, at least, open to the idea of abolishing the IRS. I read somewhere that the taxes would then be collected by the states. I understand conservatives want a smaller, less powerful central government, but how would states collecting taxes instead of the IRS function? How much would still go to the federal government? How would it affect the things federal taxes pay for, such as the military, entitlement programs, etc? What gripes do conservatives have outside of it being a function of a centralized government? I thought Congress was constitutionally allowed to tax? I’m just trying to understand the whole concept of abolishing the IRS
Comment by [deleted] at 01/06/2023 at 16:58 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Well, conservatives don't really like taxes to begin with, so opposing the IRS isn't that surprising.
I don't know if this has anything to do with the IRS, but in some countries, your taxes are filed automatically instead of you figuring it out yourself. So, even if the IRS doesn't actually get abolished, it could still prompt a conversation on reforming how taxes are done in the country.
Comment by bl1y at 30/05/2023 at 13:37 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Essentially, this gives a lot of states the ability to threaten the federal government's operations. If the federal government pisses of Florida, then Florida decides there might be some hiccups when it comes time to send their share to Washington.
Comment by bronabas at 30/05/2023 at 11:33 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If I had to guess, it would likely require states to funnel some of their taxes back to the federal government, so basically the states would take over the function of the IRS. This would be a huge mess in states that don’t currently have state income taxes. What would be interesting is to see the new tax rates in states that take little to no federal funding. They might not be as inclined to increase the tax burden on their residents since there won’t be as much benefit. But a state like Texas will be forced to impose income tax and it will likely be hefty to offset building the infrastructure
Comment by zlefin_actual at 29/05/2023 at 14:51 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't think DeSantis hass actual details about all of those things; it's not an actual well thought out proposal, it's a soundbite for people who hate taxes.
Conservatives attack the IRS because it's an easy target, because people dislike paying taxes.
Comment by [deleted] at 29/05/2023 at 11:36 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The purpose of such a belief is that the federal government *doesn't* function.
Comment by [deleted] at 29/05/2023 at 07:11 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Well see taxes are bad, therefore the people who collect taxes are also bad. Republicans want to get rid of the people who collect taxes, which is good, therefore Republicans are good. Don't think about it, just vote Republican.