Should taxes on work be lowered?
Out of your €3,500 gross salary, you take home about €2,400 net. What do you think?
- Too much tax: cut it by reducing public spending
- Cut it a little, by simplifying the state
- Lighten the load on work and tax something else more (wealth, pollution)
- That's the price of social security, schools and hospitals
What's at stake: The debate pits two readings of payroll taxes: the price of collective protection, or a brake that makes work barely worth it.
The left's argument
These contributions fund healthcare, pensions and schools: it's a collective insurance.
The centre's argument
Tax work a little less, and tax wealth or pollution a little more to make up for it.
The right's argument
When work is taxed this heavily, effort pays little and pushes people toward the black market.
And you, where do you stand?
Answer 30 situations like this one and find out where you stand, topic by topic.