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Suzie and I recently spent a few days in London, while there we grabbed the opportunity to visit a few great museums. We thoroughly enjoyed hours wandering the halls and displays of the Natural History Museum and the equally impressive Science Museum. Though I suspect it should have been obvious, I’ve only just discovered that both these world class institutions are funded by public tax receipts. In my mind, that’s a wonderful illustration of the tangible benefits of paying income tax.
Solid examples like this of our hard-earned income being reduced by that “nasty tax man” can make the abstract concept of “tax benefits” feel concrete and real. On a personal level, I have never had any concerns with paying my fair share of tax. I know many people who work “cash only” with a portion of their income and others who really struggle with the idea of being subject to this basic fact of life. I’ve given up debating with them. I find it challenging to sympathize with the viewpoint that one should be exempt from this civic duty .
I sometimes wonder to myself if these people follow their tax opinions to a logical conclusion? I feel that tax isn’t just an optional fee; it’s an investment in the roads I drive on, the schools my grandkids attend, and the safety we often take for granted. It’s the cost of living in a well-ordered society. By paying our taxes, we ensure that the benefits—from the inspiring museums I visited to the police force that protects us—are available to everyone, not just those who can afford them. It’s not just a burden; it’s a shared investment in a modern country.
I don’t have to, if you excuse the pun, tax my brain for other examples . The streetlights that make Suzie and my evening walks safe, for example. The coast guard that protects our shores and saves lives. Research Grants that fund breakthroughs in science and medicine. These are not just funded by a handful of philanthropists, they are also funded by the contributions of millions of taxpayers. When we begrudge paying tax, we’re essentially begrudging these hidden benefits.
I’m sure many will disagree, but it seems to me that a reluctance to contribute can lead to an unfair system, where some want to enjoy the benefits of a nation’s infrastructure and resources without sharing the cost. This perspective taken to the extreme, I believe, could undermine the collective foundation of a civilized society. I’m very industrious and meticulous with legally reducing my tax bill to the minimum and hold a healthy skepticism about government spending. But It’s a simple fact that the cost of living in a modern country must include a collective tax contribution. This shared burden is what ensures the well-being and security of everyone, without exception.
You’re right, of course. The problem is that taxpayers have a range of opinions about what’s important to spend public money on and how much. For example, I love PBS and NPR, but lots of Americans think it’s too woke and too wonky and don’t want tax dollars supporting it. The current president is one of those.
On a smaller scale, I’m on the board of the HOA for our condo community. We’re coming up on a discussion about our budget reserves and the related issue of HOA dues. Some owners are concerned that the HOA dues, which are high for our area, are hurting the resale value of our condos. Several local realtors say this is true. So they want us to have a lower level of reserves so that we can reduce the dues. Others of us want the reserves kept at a healthy, safe level to make sure that if there’s a major expense, owners aren’t hit with hefty assessments. The “lower the dues” crew thinks we should reduce the reserves to the minimum allowed by state law and take our chances, saying “If there’s a major expense, the HOA can get a loan and then raise the dues to make the payments.” Both sides have legitimate points, and it’s two ways of looking at things. (I’ve written here about being an insurance man’s daughter, so you can guess which side I fall on.)
Well said Crothers! We all have to do our part, which includes both paying for the things that are important to us, and holding our leaders feet to the fire to be sure the money is spent wisely.
Don’t tell anyone, but I read in a newspaper that the tax authorities in the UK are using AI to read people’s social media etc., looking for fraud. This post was just to get on their good books 😂
Hilarious Mark.
As I have posted here before, I am in entire agreement with you. Taxes are part of the glue that makes civil society possible.
BTW, no V&A? That’s my favorite London museum, actually, my favorite museum anywhere.
The V&A was on the agenda but we ran out of time. To much to see and do in a few days.
I couldn’t agree more. Yeah, there’s certainly some things public funds get spent on that I don’t agree with. But I don’t always agree with some of the things I spend my own money on 🙂 But big picture, national defense, social security, medicare, national parks, roads, public health services, NASA, etc are things I’d hate to live without.