Fun facts about oh-so-reactionary neo-classical academics. Prof. Joel Slemrod, a person so straight he makes Jack Webb look like a hippie, has published the results of a very lengthy survey (96 questions) of specialists (economists. attorneys, accountants) in the field of taxation. Full details are in the National Tax Journal, V. XLVIII, No. 1, p. 121. Some interesting results: Question Percent answering 'yes' Should inheritances be taxed? 81 Should there be a graduated personal income tax? 75 Should the top marginal rate exceed 50%? 16 Should real capital gains be taxed as ordinary income (when realized)? 71 Should there be a net income tax on corporations? 58 (Funny on this question private sector tax people answered 77 percent in the affirmative, maybe because their jobs depended on doing corporate taxes. Doug Henwood, call your office.) Should localities impose income taxes on those who work but do not live locally? 67 Should wealth be taxable? 62 Is the redistribution of income a legitimate role for govt? 79 Should capital income be exempt from taxation? 9 Note that respondents were not only economists, but professors of law and accountancy. There are similar results from government and private sector tax professionals, although in general the academics skew the results towards liberal answers. Happy new year, and don't forget those last minute charitable deductions, MBS =================================================== Max B. Sawicky Economic Policy Institute [EMAIL PROTECTED] 1660 L Street, NW 202-775-8810 (voice) Ste. 1200 202-775-0819 (fax) Washington, DC 20036 Opinions above do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone associated with the Economic Policy Institute. ===================================================
