Why do federal public servants pay tax?

Question

Now, before some moron says something stupid.

Think about this. Wages for both the public and private sector are the largest single factor. Most of business and government budgets are spent paying wages to employees.

Now. The government taxes business and employees a percentage of their income to run government, with their main expense being its' workers. In return, their wokers (public servants) pay a percentage of their income back to the government !!!

Now think about it. Say for example, I pay $1000 in tax over X period. That is enough (roughly) for one public servants wage for the week. Then, they have deducted let's say $350 in tax.

Now I know that a percentge of the tax they pay can be claimed back, but what happens to the rest?

I am sure that if you approached the public servants and said "hey, what if we now pay you a net wage of say $800 for the week and we'll call it even", they'd say OK.

Business would pay less tax, so would private sector employees.

An interesting point was made regarding the tax free status.

When we shop, we pay tax, we buy a house and pay tax...etc.

I am simply saying that I would be quite happy for PS's to get a net pay packet.

I say this because my tax burden would be lower. I really do believe the private sector would be better off.

PS's would have more at the end of the week, and so would I.

The whole reason tax was created, was to pay for government. We now have government paying government.

Its ridiculous.

More corruption? They make their own rules now, do they not?

James S. says that military and so forth should be tax free. Why? Don't give me garbage about the sacrifices they make. They know when they sign up what is involved.

Sounds like you and your family are career public servants. Not that that's a bad thing, I'm just saying...

Hey qb, The largest single expense of any government is wages. Do the research.

Answer 1

The best reason would be because they earn ten times what the average wage earner makes. Another reason is because they are already treated like royalty in all other aspects, their health insurance is better than any insurance in the private sector,.their pensions are better than the private sector, their vacation and holidays are better than the private sector. Not many "public servants" would settle for 800 bucks a week, only the very bottom tier.

Answer 2

I am a federal civil servant, and I would not say, "Okay."

Tax me what I owe. I will pay it. Perhaps I have a mortgage and interest. Perhaps I have invested properly for my retirement.

Just because federal civil servants are paid from the federal budget doesn't mean they (we) should get off free on other government expenses.

I may have a different opinion on the military, but that isn't the subject here. Although, military personnel are federal servants: Military personnel and retirees' federal income should be tax free.

Just a little more information. I am the only civil servant in my family. I got there in a long round about way after I found out I could no longer make a living as a farmer.

Regarding the military, they certainly shouls have known the risks they would take. Most of them do so with honor. The issue is the check that they bring home. Wow, it's small. If you are in the military you are either not doing it for the money--you really care--or you really can't do anything else. That isn't a snip at our service members, who I truly respect.

One more note: Normally, I would agree with you that salaries and pensions are a government's largest outlays; however, I believe now our largest outlay is interest. I would actually have to research it and apply the appropriate formulas though.

Answer 3

First you can be sure that many government employees would use that to get rich, instead of those $800 they would find a way (they always do) to make it a fat $2,000 or $5,000 tax free check. Then even those fat congressman and other public oficial woud find a way to get the same sweet deal.

Second public servant also use the roads, public services like hospital and schools, etc. , so they also must pay their part.

It would be very hard to control corruption under your system.

Answer 4

Federal public servants pay taxs because they earn income, and have to pay taxes like everyone else. Even drug dealers are supposed to pay taxes. The main expense of the government is the military not civil servants. When they tax you, they have other things to spend it on. go here: http://www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm

Answer 5

as much as now this has been the case interior the united kingdom's national wellbeing provider. There are lots extra distant places docs and nurses recruited than Brits. an excellent share of our wellbeing team at medical institution point are Asian and the provider has more advantageous with their presence. At physician point the choice applies with reference to workers staffing. State maintained medical centers are extra in all hazard to be available around the board and subsequently your view upon will boost in Medicare Levy could be actual valid. As an aside, that could be an excellent shame your Aussie politicians are as untrustworthy as ours!

Answer 6

Interesting point, but it would create the impression that government workers have privileged tax-free status.