Tax

Tomorrow the Federal Government’s tax forum starts in Canberra. Just the latest gabfest on how to simplify Australia’s outrageously complicated tax system.

We’re not confident about the outcome. Not since the Hawke-Keating tax summit back in the 90s has any government forum produced fundamental change to the system.

This one can’t be about fundamental change either because no-one is allowed to talk about the carbon tax, GST and mining taxes. If it was serious about reform then every tax should be open for discussion.

We’ve been asking for your suggestions on the tax issues you’d like discussed at the Tax Forum. We applied through the Treasurer’s website and lucked in with one of the “community” delegate spots

Your response has been sensational with an enormous range of suggestions.

The most common suggestion has been to increase the GST from the current 10 per cent to 12.5-15 per cent to allow a major drop in income and company tax. In other words, to tax consumption and encourage earning income.