eBay sellers Told to Include GST

noisymime writes "The Age is running a story on how The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has requested eBay Australia to enforce the inclusion of the GST on all sales/auctions. Previously this was recommended but not a requirement. Is this reasonable protection for buyers or simply a frustration for everyone? What about all the other sales and auction sites available to Australians?" Moreover, how will this apply to other countries with GSTs - or sales tax?

Comments

What about tax reform ideas?

[Antony-Kyre]

Could we start a thread on tax reform ideas? I live in the U.S.A., so I don't know much about how other countries operate.

The problem with income tax is that it taxes necessities of life, such as food, groceries, and medical supplies. We could simply eliminate it and go to a sales tax on items that aren't considered necessities, that way the poor aren't faced with the tax burden, but the rich can certainly afford it.

I hate the idea of property tax, but there should be a way to make it progressive. One idea is this...
Exempt a value from being taxable on the parcel of land. Perhaps the highest average home price or whatever. Let us say that is $200k. Then only tax the excess of it. Update this value every year or two. Change the rate. If someone owns a very expensive piece of land, they'd pay more into the system now, thus helping relieve those who own cheap homes. Same goes for businesses.

Income tax, a special one. Take five times the per capita income. If your income exceeds that value, then you'd pay like a 10% tax on the excess of that. So hypothetically, 5 times $40k would be $200k, and if someone were to earn $800k, then 10% of $800k-$200k would be $60k in tax revenue. Individual income only.

Just some ideas, I'd like to hear feedbacks, compliments and complaints.