While a wealth tax has a long way before making a significant comeback in Europe, there is movement in Brussels. Such a tax would also establish the groundwork for a common tax system that would strengthen the EU as a whole, at a time when the continent's far-right Eurosceptic parties are attempting to weaken it ahead of the 2024 elections. However, without an integrity-based and transparent institution governing it, this would lead to the same old story. The rich will still win, as depicted by the recent European tax office data where the top 0.1% highest earners pay a decreasing tax rate as their income rises. Leaning back to Churchill's famous saying, "There is no such thing as a good tax."Â
References
The abolition of France's wealth tax still has no proven effect on the economy. (2022, October 24). Le Monde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2022/10/24/the-abolition-of-france-s-wealth-tax-still-has-no-proven-effect-on-the-economy_6001505_5.html
Afonso, W. (2015, June 24). The challenge of transparency in tax. Mercatus Center, George Mason University. https://www.mercatus.org/research/policy-briefs/challenge-transparency-taxation
Atkinson, A., & Stiglitz, J. (1976). The design of tax structure: Direct versus indirect taxation. Journal of Public Economics, 6(1-2), 55-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-2727(76)90041-4
Baloge, M. (2023, October 25). Calls grow in Europe for wealth tax to finance the green transition. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/calls-grow-in-europe-for-wealth-tax-to-finance-the-green-transition-216212
Can the carbon-offset market be saved? (2023, December 20). The Economist. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/12/20/can-the-carbon-offset-market-be-saved
Europe has a pivotal role to play in the global green transition. (2023, November 30). euronews. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/11/30/europe-has-a-pivotal-role-to-play-in-the-global-green-transition
European Commission. (2019). The European Green Deal. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
European Commission. (2019). Comprehensive study of building energy renovation activities and the uptake of nearly zero-energy buildings in the EU. Energy. https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/comprehensive-study-building-energy-renovation-activities-and-uptake-nearly-zero-energy-buildings-eu_en
France lost the most millionaires last year after spate of terror attacks. (2017, March 1). The Sun. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2982221/france-millionaires-migrating-left-2016/
