I asked the question on Twitter, but I don’t know if I’m going to get any real answers or any answers at all over there. Here it is:
What’s the appeal to taxing inheritance differently than other types of income? Aren’t flat taxes bad and regressive?
I’ve occasionally encountered emphatic support for a 100% inheritance tax, but I’m never sure if that’s not really a joke coming out of people’s frustrations with nepotism and generational wealth accumulation. It seems like there are better ways to address those things than making exceptions to the progressive income tax.
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I’m pro 100% inheritance tax for any amount over 2 million. 2 million is arbitrary, but the thinking is you could pass on a family farm or modest primary residence. It’s enough that your partner/offspring could live comfortably but not extravagantly.
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A family farm is usually worth a lot more though. And the same issue pops up with privately owned businesses.
You often need a lot of “wealth” tied into your business assets to even make a modest living off it for you and your family.