... maybe we should take the same position and declare a tax revolt! we will not pay any more VAT, not purchase tax (on houses), not capital gains taxes, not any other tax, not direct taxes or indirect taxes. Until the government understands that the Haredim too are citizens with equal rights in the State and for the taxes they pay they must receive in return just like any other citizen...
A large family that buys its basic needs every day pays VAT. brings into the State coffers far more than a small family or those who have not established families. Enough already with the lexicon of "we are supporting them". You are not supporting us. We are supporting you.
-- MK Menachem Eliezer Mozes (UTJ), in protest against the words of Bank of Israel Governor Karnit Flug yesterday when she said the high birthrate and low income of the haredim and Arabs is [partly?] responsible for a slowdown in the economy.
I am no economist, so id o not know if the numbers game being played by Mozes is correct or not. Does the VAT on the milk, bread and cheese of large, poor families (those he is referring to) bought daily really surpass the income taxes paid by working parents even if they have only one, two or three kids? Does it surpass the VAT paid on the vacation packages they buy, the cars, stereos (do people buy those anymore?), computers, iPads and iPods, and all the other gadgets, garden equipment, pets, tools, amenities and goodies purchased by small families? I don't know, but I don't think his statement should be accepted without research.
Regardless of that point.. what really interests me is his call for a tax strike. I can see how a tax strike might work when it is businessmen threatening to not pay their taxes they must file, homeowners not paying property tax (arnona), etc.. but Mozes mentions purchase taxes and capital gains taxes. How does he think people are going to go to the supermarket to buy food and tell the shopkeeper that they refuse to pay the VAT? Does he think the shopkeeper will let him walk out with the milk and cheese anyway? When a young couple buys an apartment, are they going to tell the kablan they want the house but refuse to pay the purchase tax - will the kablan hand over the keys anyway?
I'd like to know the method he plans on employing for this tax rebellion. I'd like to see how it is possible to avoid paying VAT on items.
At least we know this Tea Party will only include tea that has a good hechsher!
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