Would you pay taxes if they were voluntary?

[So rightwing that I broke the Political Compass!]

This seems to be a rather popular idea among libertarians and other anti-government movements. So I was curious if theirs actually a sizable number of people who would pay taxes if they were voluntary.

Would you?

[Vosem]

This seems to be a rather popular idea among libertarians and other anti-government movements. So I was curious if theirs actually a sizable number of people who would pay taxes if they were voluntary.

Would you?

No. But it's crazy to say we should abolish taxes; then nobody will pay and the legitimate things a government should do won't be able to happen.

[Northeast Representative Goldwater]

I agree with Vosem, why would anybody pay taxes if they didn't have to? Unfortunately, some form of compulsory taxation is necessary for society to function.

[white trash heroes]

of course i would pay for services i used. what do you take me for?

[dead0man]

This seems to be a rather popular idea among libertarians and other anti-government movements.

Is it?

[MilesC56]

Harry Reid says we already have a voluntary system.

[Senator Napoleon]

Of course not.

[Redalgo]

Yes - I would feel morally obliged to pay the normal amount of tax as a default. Depending on the conditions in place as the switch to voluntary taxation occurs I might decide to pay slightly more to make up for the inadequate contributions being made by others or withhold all of my money as a form of protest against what I consider an illegitimate government that must fall and be replaced.

[ModerateCoward]

I'm gonna need my money to emigrate, the libertarian neckbeards can have that country to themselves.

[Governor Maxwell]

I'm not an absolutest libertarian... there should be taxes, sorry guys.

If they were voluntary... HELL NO.

[shua]

Is the government based on libertarian principles in practice as well as its funding? If so, then yes, I would feel the need to pay something if it's necessary for my security against those who would harm me, and does not bother me if I'm not harming anyone else.  I think you'd see strong social pressure develop very quickly for people to contribute.

[ModerateCoward]

Is the government based on libertarian principles in practice as well as its funding? If so, then yes, I would feel the need to pay something if it's necessary for my security against those who would harm me, and does not bother me if I'm not harming anyone else.  I think you'd see strong social pressure develop very quickly for people to contribute.

So you are you saying that a libertarian government will lead to solidarity and morph into anti-capitalism? I have a slightly different scenario in mind.

[Darius_Addicus_Gaius]

Taxes can't be voluntary because no one would pay them including me. Flat tax rates along with free trade, no corporate taxes, and no tariffs have always been a cornerstone of my economic philosophy.

[shua]

Is the government based on libertarian principles in practice as well as its funding? If so, then yes, I would feel the need to pay something if it's necessary for my security against those who would harm me, and does not bother me if I'm not harming anyone else.  I think you'd see strong social pressure develop very quickly for people to contribute.

So you are you saying that a libertarian government will lead to solidarity and morph into anti-capitalism? I have a slightly different scenario in mind.

I did have Durkheim in mind - expressions of what he (confusingly) called mechanical and organic solidarity would come into play. People develop ties to those sharing a social identity and can also recognize their interdependence with their broader social context. The removal of compulsion by government force opens the opportunity for these ties to take a more central role in ordering society.  None of this negates capitalism - it's entirely consistent with Smith and Hayek if not with Rand.

[Californian Tony]

OK, it is hard for me to say this since I have never been in charge of managing money by myself, but honestly, yes, I think I would.

Of course, if as a result of this nobody pays taxes, resulting in the State getting bankrupt, the downfall of welfare State and the privatization of everything, the country would become such a hellhole that my priority would be run away from it.

[Gustaf]

Of course there would be some payment of taxes but it probably wouldn't be very high. It also depends a lot on the social cohesion of the society.

This is already clear. To an extent, taxes are voluntary, since enforcement is not that strong. And tax evasion is a lot higher in some societies than in others.

[Vosem]

Of course, if as a result of this nobody pays taxes, resulting in the State getting bankrupt, the downfall of welfare State and the privatization of everything, the country would become such a hellhole that my priority would be run away from it.

Really? The worst thing you're afraid of with no taxes is privatization? That'd be one of the very few benefits.

[Supersonic]

Obviously if taxes were voluntary, the vast, vast, majority of people would opt out.

Though, of course, without taxes the government basically ceases to exist, so taxes are not voluntary for our own good.

[Big Wiggly Style]

Somewhere between options 2 and 3.

[Governor Scott]

Just to prove a point, no.

I mean, okay, I'd give more of my money to charity, but that wouldn't be enough.

[white trash heroes]

Obviously if taxes were voluntary, the vast, vast, majority of people would opt out.

Though, of course, without taxes the government basically ceases to exist, so taxes are not voluntary for our own good.

thats not obvious at all. you really think people wouldn't pay for police protection, fire departments, toll roads? the main issue i see with abolishing taxes in favor of user fees would be that of defense and power vacuum/mass uproar. that and the whole social safety net angle, i think people are living in a dream world if they think charity would fill the void there.

[Simfan34]

What's my income? The higher my income, the less likely I am to pay taxes.

[TheDeadFlagBlues]

I'd pay for the amount needed to fund basic services and the welfare state.

[bore]

Of course, if as a result of this nobody pays taxes, resulting in the State getting bankrupt, the downfall of welfare State and the privatization of everything, the country would become such a hellhole that my priority would be run away from it.

Really? The worst thing you're afraid of with no taxes is privatization? That'd be one of the very few benefits.

A privatised fire service could be fun. Especially if your house was on fire.

[Chareth Cutestory]

I'm too poor, I don't pay income taxes.