Robert Frank, of the Wall Street Journal’s Wealth Report blog, offers this reflection on practical problems of a wealth tax. A wealth tax sounds like a variation of a property tax, which has historically been a local or state level levy. Just as various deductions, loopholes, and definitions of “income” have developed in the income tax context, so one would expect similar issues for a wealth tax (including valuation issues discussed in the article by Mr. Frank). A wealth tax is the wrong message to send to entrepreneurs and capitalists – we’re going to punish your success. And economics teaching that tax increases in a down economy are counterproductive. What do you think? Do you support or oppose a wealth tax? Why?

(c) 2012, Stephen M. Johnson, Esq.