Hacker News Reader

People pay taxes, not companies.

These taxes are poor, because they obscure who is really being taxed.

Is it the owners? The employees? The consumers? Most likely the last two groups.

In theory, you are correct. However, if companies don't pay taxes, then they build up huge cash hoards, and the stock price goes up and the execs (who get paid in shares) don't pay taxes. why? because they never sell, and just take out loans against their ginormous paper gains. And if they do sell, they pay lower capital gains rates for share-based instead of cash-based compensation.

What you are saying doesn't make any sense. The take-a-loan against your shares will work until you have to stop at some point or you die and your estate is taxed...

at some point or you die

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepped-up_basis

Reply on news.ycombinator.com