If prostitute salaries are tax-free, why doesn't the government just legalize it already so they get a cut?

Question

I've heard that a good prostitute/"escort" girl on Craigslist or other websites can make a good $200,000 a year and up in a big city like Los Angeles. Since it's an illegal trade and therefore done on the side, tax free, the government isn't getting a cent of it. Since it's also the world's oldest profession and there's really NO realistic way of stopping it, why doesn't the government simply legalize it already and start getting serious tax revenue from it, like the state of Nevada? It would go a long way in funding this phony yet expensive war in Iraq (close to half a TRILLION dollars already!). I know most neo-cons will moan and complain that it's immoral and dirty money, but come on! Like that hasn't stopped those lying sleazebags before and so many of them are already visiting those girls anyway! (Think Jimmy Swaggart) What gives?

Answer 1

Despite the fact that it would bring huge tax monies, I don't think that good old Christian voter will let it pass along with abortion, medical cell cloning and whatever else is against the "God's will"

Answer 2

I agree with the polls. The only problem is when the few don't like the voters decisions they find a super liberal judge and file a suit in hopes of getting the voters overturned. The reason this doesn't work on a national basis is the only way for change at that level is a Constitutional Amendment. Control of the money means lots of power in Congress. Only a few would vote to limit their power. Also, the individual States are used to getting large sums of money from the Feds and may choose to not pass a Constitutional Amendment that will mean the money will no longer come from the Feds. Getting 38 States to approve the Amendment will be very difficult. The above reasons doesn't mean we the people should not do everything we can to force Congress to do this.

Answer 3

Prostitution had been legal in many parts of the US until around the early 20th century. Then communities who did wished to be more civil started closing the brothels. Additionally too many GI's were contracting VD, so the War Department exerted pressure on local municipalities to close them, ie New Orleans. I think there is illusion that making them legal would all of the sudden create all this tax revenue. It is a service, and I can guarentee you many women at strip clubs who work legally for cash, grossly under report their income. I do believe more jurisdictions will legalize some forms of prostitution in the next 20 years; however, I don't think IRS enforcement and thus tax revenues from escorts will change much.

Answer 4

This is why I believe they should get rid of personal income tax all together. If they would do that and raise the state sales tax to lets say 10% or 15% then you would be able to get money from all the people that dont report income, like drug dealers and escorts, etc....... Not to mention those that take cash for work they do,

Answer 5

You're right, as immoral as it may be, that has never stopped it from existing. /if it were legalized not only would it increase tax revenue, but we could require that prostitutes have to be tested every so often and maybe cut back a bit on the spread of STDs. (I'm not trying to enforce the "dirty wh***" stereotype, but if you're job is to sleep with as many strangers as possible, your chances of getting something are pretty good, condoms don't protect against everything).

Answer 6

Two words... Human Smuggling.

Pimps can smuggle girls across the border and make
$ millions $ while the hookers get almost nothing. Like they already do, except then it would be legal.

Go to any massage parlor and you'll get what I mean.

Our factories, farms, and Wal-marts are all government regulated. How many of them use illegal immigrants ?

Do you think prostitution will be any different ?

Answer 7

There is no logical reason. Prostitution has probably been banned since christianity arrived here in the UK, in the states it's probably always been illegal. Its just tradition really

Answer 8

I agree, you can never stop it and since they are so tax happy, a lot of revenue could be brouhgt in, an it will put a pinch on pimps.

Answer 9

In parts of Nevada it is legal.

Answer 10

I actually think the porn industry, among others , would be against this; why pay for the fantasy when you can have the real thing?