Looming Tax Hikes in the U.K. and Investors Act Accordingly.

by Geoffrey MacLeay | May 14, 2010 | Big Government, Europe, Taxation

As noted in this blog back in August, the end of Labour rule in the U.K. will not mean the end of big government in that country.  The new coalition government has already proposed a large tax hike on capital gains: At present investors only pay CGT of 18pc on gains...

Act of Congress to Protect Against Acts of God

by Geoffrey MacLeay | May 11, 2010 | Bailouts, Big Government, Free Market

Eli Lehrer writes in the Weekly Standard this week about a bill from Congressman Ron Klein that seems to be companion legislation to Congressman Richard Neal’s Reinsurance Bill.  The article correctly points out the anti-market effects of such legislation:  Those who...

They're Watching You in Pennsylvania.

by Geoffrey MacLeay | May 4, 2010 | Big Government, Privacy, Taxation

David Paul Kuhn recently wrote about an interesting new approach to tax collection in the Keystone State: Pennsylvania has a common problem. Hundreds of millions in unpaid taxes. And it needs that revenue. The state took the offensive with a $3 million ad campaign....

Complicated Banking Regulations and Double Taxation Hurt Americans Abroad.

by Geoffrey MacLeay | Apr 26, 2010 | Free Market, Taxation

The New York Times ran an article this week about an increasing number of Americans living and working abroad who are considering taking the drastic step of giving up their American citizenship.  Most of these expats would ideally like to maintain their citzenship but...

Vast Majority of the Senate Appears to be Against a VAT.

by Geoffrey MacLeay | Apr 19, 2010 | Taxation, VAT

Last Thursday, the Senate took a vote on a non-binding “sense of the Senate” resolution concerning a Value Added Tax.  The result was an 85-13 victory for the anti-VAT side.  The roll call can be found here.  The statement of purpose read as follows:  Expressing the...