This is not so much about income inequality, but about making sure that the rich actually pay their taxes, or even more proportionally to their wealth when compared to lower income individuals.
Rich people will and should continue to exist. What they shouldn't be allowed to do is take advantage of loopholes and tax breaks just because they're wealthy. That alone should indirectly lead to lowering inequality, and, assuming we can trust that governments work efficiently and in equal interest of all their citizens (which is hardly a given), it should lead to a fair(er) distribution of wealth, instead of a growth of inequality.
In any case, it's easy to be cynical about this news, but it's a step in the right direction on paper. In stark contrast to what is happening in the US, for example.
>>This is not so much about income inequality, but about making sure that the rich actually pay their taxes, or even more proportionally to their wealth when compared to lower income individuals.
Sounds like you want to tax assets. Every country can start doing it right now with assets on their soil. No "global registry of wealthy people" is needed for that. Just look at the assets you control and tax them.
Assets can be easily hidden by elaborate constructions over multiple nations, if you have the money to finance it you can save millions with it. Is it legal? Maybe yes, maybe no. Is it something desirable to society? No. This is why you need a registry.
What assets?
Land can't be moved, company offices can't be moved.
Just tax what you control and let others tax what they control. Why do you care if I have a pile of gold stored in Barbados. It doesn't influence your country in any way.
Yeah, this is possible. At an EU level it would probably work. It would be even more effective in the US because they charge tax on global income for citizens, regardless of residence.
Rich people will and should continue to exist. What they shouldn't be allowed to do is take advantage of loopholes and tax breaks just because they're wealthy. That alone should indirectly lead to lowering inequality, and, assuming we can trust that governments work efficiently and in equal interest of all their citizens (which is hardly a given), it should lead to a fair(er) distribution of wealth, instead of a growth of inequality.
In any case, it's easy to be cynical about this news, but it's a step in the right direction on paper. In stark contrast to what is happening in the US, for example.