首先,美国经济复苏势头仍然不温不火。为避免跌下财政悬崖而采取的任何行动,都将逃不开一定力度的减支和增税措施,尽管总规模将远低于5000亿美元(这是在不采取任何行动的情况下大概的减支和增税规模)。任何增税措施都将把对象限定为收入最高的2%人群,这样的增税将不会产生强烈的紧缩效应。然而,有一点非常重要,就是国会必须延长将于今年年底到期的临时工资税减免和临时失业保障政策。二者对需求都有重大影响。
Second, Mr Obama believes he now has a mandate to restore the Clinton-era tax rates on the highest brackets – families that earn more than $250,000. Whether he does so by raising the headline rate or limiting deductions – there is a case for both – is likely to be part of a last-minute compromise.
其次,奥巴马认为,如今他有权恢复克林顿时代针对收入最高人群(年收入超过25万美元的家庭)实行的税率。无论他是通过提高税率还是降低免税额——两种办法各有优点——做到这一点,相关措施都可能是最后关头才达成的妥协方案中的一部分。
The goal is chiefly political. But in terms of policy it leaves a lot to be desired. If the Democrats are serious about ensuring that America’s wealthiest bear a reasonable share of austerity, they should focus on capital gains as well as income taxes. Most of the country’s seriously rich live off capital gains, which are levied at less than half the top rate of income tax. That is why Mitt Romney never paid more than 14 per cent in taxes over the past decade.
【FT社评:财政悬崖阴影未散】相关文章:
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