Here is the personal income tax structure currently and as it will become in October.
Gross income | Old tax rate | New Tax rate |
---|---|---|
0–14000 | 12.5% | 10.5% |
14000–48000 | 21% | 17.5% |
48000–70000 | 33% | 30% |
70000+ | 38% | 33% |
It can be seen that both systems have a progressive tax structure. That is those on higher incomes not only pay more tax by virtue of the fact that tax is a percentage of income, they pay even more because they also pay a higher rate. Because tax is a rate, tax cuts, whether they be an absolute ratio (say 1% for each bracket) or a proportionate ratio (say 5% reduction on the rate), will always have a larger effect on higher incomes. Below is various incomes with the effect of the various taxes. Accident levy is excluded.
Old | New | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross | Tax | Net | Tax | Net | Difference |
5000 | 625 | 4375 | 525 | 4475 | 100 |
10000 | 1250 | 8750 | 1050 | 8950 | 200 |
25000 | 4060 | 20940 | 3395 | 21605 | 665 |
50000 | 9550 | 40450 | 8020 | 41980 | 1530 |
100000 | 27550 | 72450 | 23920 | 76080 | 3630 |
Looking at this table it is clear that even if the $0–14000 tax rate was abolished, i.e. set to 0%, those on higher incomes would still gain an advantage. This is because their tax break is greater than what the lower incomes even pay in tax.
The comment "tax cuts for the rich" is nonsensical as any tax cut is going to affect those on higher incomes at least as much as those on lower incomes. What is worth noting however is how much those on higher incomes pay. A tax saving of $4000 may seem a lot to some people, but this is in the context of someone who is already paying $30000. It is also worth noting that a tax break is not a subsidy, it is allowing the taxpayer to keep more of his earned income.
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