From the Readers

Why reduce the tax burden?

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-17 07:55

I am surprised to see discussions on "How to reduce the tax burden?" in China. In a country like China there are many ways in which the government can improve the life of its citizens such as providing better social security, healthcare, education and environment.

All these services have to be paid for and an obvious way to realize that is through property tax, because property indicates two important factors.

First, it is imposed on people who are benefiting from the city. The value of a property is greatly determined by the quality of the roads and the schools, parks and cleanliness of neighborhoods. Second, a property tax spreads the costs so that people can afford to pay it. The value of a property is an indication of the wealth of the owner. This puts heavier burden on stronger shoulders. I hope China pays more attention to wealth distribution. The better off the lowest 10 percent of a society, the better would be the living conditions for the rest of the community.

People often look at tax as something that is taken from them. They forget one important thing: money does not buy happiness. Happiness comes from social security and good living environment.

The question should therefore not be "How to reduce the tax burden?" but "How to make sure that taxes are well spent?"

Paul Schoe, via e-mail

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(China Daily 06/17/2010 page9)