(snip)" Irritation grows over taxes
Norwegians have long accepted high taxes to finance their social welfare state, but a new survey indicates rising dissatisfaction and, in some cases, outright hatred of some taxes that are viewed as way too high and unfair.
Norwegians are among the most heavily taxed people in the world, and that in turn has made Norway one of the most expensive countries in which to live. Most accept the taxes they're ordered to pay on income and even net worth and property, but growing numbers are publicly complaining about sky-high taxes on everything from cars to fuel to consumer goods.
Norwegians differentiate between skatter (taxes) and avgifter (duties, fees or user taxes) and the latter is the most hated. They're what causes a glass of house wine at an Oslo restaurant to cost the equivalent of nearly USD $16, or a gallon of gas to cost nearly USD $9 at current exchange rates."(snip)
(snip)"Regressive inequality
The study also showed that 67 percent of the population think Norway's inheritance taxes are too high, while 63 percent think fuel taxes are too high. Norway's hefty 25 percent VAT (like a sales tax) on nearly all consumer items is considered too high by 53 percent of the population.
Only 32 percent, meanwhile, believed tobacco taxes are too high, while 44 percent believed liquor taxes are too high."(snip)
Also the Heritage Foundation points out that, in addition to the 25% 'sales tax' and the various 'excise taxes' on gasoline, alcohol, etc., the Norwegian gov't also collects hefty income taxes and corporate taxes ... (snip)"Norway has a high income tax rate and a moderate corporate tax rate. The top income tax rate is 47.8 percent, and the top corporate tax rate is 28 percent. "(snip)
and from the Swedish press at ... (snip)"The average Swedish worker pays around 60 percent of his or her earnings in visible or hidden taxes. This situation is in the long run problematic, since high taxes combined with generous welfare systems undermine social norms associated with hard work and responsibility."(snip)
It would appear that providing generous social welfare benefits, cradle to grave 'free' health care etc. DO have a cost ! However, many of the programs which contribute to the swedish social welfare system, and as a result the 60% average tax rate, are now being discussed in Washington DC !




Bookmarks