Category Archives: Taxation

Devaluation of the American “brand”

October 9, 2008 – 8:06 am

Francis Fukuyama has continued to distance himself from the Bush-era neo-conservatism, with an interesting article in Newsweek about the end of the American “brand”. Fukuyama’s argument is that the US brand had two core concepts:
The first was a certain vision of capitalism—one that argued low taxes, light regulation and a pared-back government would be the [...]

By Legal Eagle | Also posted in Economics, Human/Civil rights, Politics, Public Policy, Society | Comments (15)

Rebates and bonuses

June 23, 2008 – 9:11 pm

I note that there has been a contretemps between the Federal Government and ABC Learning over ABC Learning’s decision to raise childcare fees, although it insists this is not a respose to the Federal Budget’s decision to increase childcare rebate fees. ABC Learning is not alone; in a strange coincidence, the childcare centre to which [...]

By Legal Eagle | Also posted in Economics, Politics | Comments (18)

Mutual obligation + high EMTRs = suxxor

June 13, 2008 – 2:29 am

It’s not very often that you get a neat summary of one of the most inspiring libertarian arguments in one short piece, but Jason Soon has done a great job on mutual obligation over at Catallaxy. I agree with him - and I also think mutual obligation is an utterly pointless exercise in time-wasting that [...]

By skepticlawyer | Also posted in Economics | Comments (15)

Talking with the Taxman about Teacakes

April 11, 2008 – 10:07 am

Turns out that HM Revenue and Customs have been caught out by the complexity of their own legislation. The teacake - a popular British tooth-wrecker - has been wrongly taxed for the last 20 years. Even worse, it’s the teacake sold by British institution, Marks & Spencer, that’s been on the receiving end:
The UK Treasury [...]

By skepticlawyer | Also posted in Law | Comments (14)