The War On Cash + An Ode To Taxation

Czeslaw Milosz

Talking about paper, India’s prime minister - Narendra Modi - took one of the ballsiest steps by a politician. He announced that overnight both paper currency Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 would be deemed illegal (note the keyword ‘illegal’).

There are usually two reasons why something is done. The good reason and the real reason. The good reason given to all the media, and is still being trumpeted around was in the name of corruption, to stamp out the “black money” from the system.

For those not familiar with the Indian concept - say a property developer sells you an apartment. If its market value is Rs. 100, he’ll ask for Rs. 50 via the normal banking system and Rs. 50 as cash. It’s this unaccounted for cash, with no ability to trace its source or destination that Indians call “black money”.

[Tweet "But the real reason, which people are only going to find out… is TAXATION."]

Every country whose government relies upon taxation to cover its expenses, knows the problem it has cash. True, corruption exists and is easier with cash. But there are ways around it. Nevertheless… governments are now waging a war on cash.

The U.S., Europe, Australia and even China - want to kill cash because it makes it easier to track and tax people. So what India did, was nothing short of genius - it was swift and created just enough panic for people to take action.

Now, in a country like India - where only 2-3% of the population pay taxes. You can imagine the how heavy that tax burden is, currently at around 33% directly and could probably reach 50% indirectly.

And common man, as so many like to picture themselves don’t fancy paying it. In India, it’s more prevalent - you don’t get any of the facilities or benefits that you would as U.S. citizens - so it's easy to justify “why should we pay?”.

Don’t worry, once the government has closed all the loopholes and widened the tax net. The people a.k.a. mob will demand more. And if Mr. Modi is smart (and has the political will again) or at least supported by a smart team - they will rehaul the tax code and make it simpler and possibly the lowest in the world.

Who would complain about paying a 10% tax if they get all the benefits of being in a society?

I did a quick survey on reddit - one of the most brutally honest places to get feedback. And the question was…

What is / was your #1 single biggest pain in the ass, regarding wealth building?

And the answer was - Taxes. (no surprises)

And I love one of the ode’s to taxation. Feel free to print this out and paste it on your wall to remind you about your biggest wealth destroyer or at least give you something to think about.

Tax his land, tax his bed,
Tax the table at which he’s fed.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule,
Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat,
Tax his pants, tax his coat.
Tax his ties, tax his shirt,
Tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, tax his drink.
Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his cigars, tax his beers,
If he cries, then tax his tears.
Tax his car, tax his gas,
Find other ways to tax his ass.
Tax all he has, then let him know
That you won’t be done ’til he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Tax him some more.
Tax him ’till he’s good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, tax his grave.
Tax the sod in which he’s laid.
Put these words upon his tomb,
“Taxes drove me to my doom.”
When he’s gone, do not relax.
It’s time to apply the inheritance tax.

P.S. Incase you're wondering. The answer is yes... I file my tax returns every year.