The Independent Market Observer

5/7/13 − Remember When I Said Taxes Were Going Up?

Posted by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CFP®

Find me on:

This entry was posted on May 7, 2013 9:55:58 AM

and tagged Politics and the Economy

Leave a comment

As I’ve written several times, taxes have to go up, and when they do, it will be done in a stealth manner, without specifically calling it a tax increase, or by using some other justification.

We’re seeing exactly that right now in the form of Internet sales taxes. Just yesterday, the Senate approved a bill that would allow states to force large online retailers to collect sales tax, even if they have no operation in that jurisdiction.

This isn’t being presented as a revenue-generating measure—God forbid—but as a business protection measure. Even the name, the Marketplace Fairness Act, doesn’t mention taxes at all. Funny, that.

The bill amounts to a tax increase, and a substantial one at that, for the many consumers who buy online. That it has substantial bipartisan support suggests that the Republicans, at least in the Senate, are fully on board for tax increases, provided they’re properly presented.

The House, of course, hasn’t yet passed the bill, and it may not do so. Stories in the papers today, however, suggest that the bill will at least get a shot. With 65 cosponsors in the House, half of whom are Republicans, it won’t face widespread die-hard Republican opposition. The fact that the bill will be considered in the Judiciary Committee and not Ways and Means, the committee that normally handles tax matters, may also help it along.

The split between Main Street Republican businesses and Beltway-based anti-tax organizations is what may allow this to happen. Pragmatism suggests the states need the revenue, and basic economics suggests that giving online merchants a cost advantage against local stores is a double hit to local economies. The conjunction of need and narrative suggests that it’s now becoming possible for the Republicans to move against some of their ideological boundaries.

This is all part of the mean reversion in politics that I’ve discussed before. We’re seeing it in immigration, on taxes, and even in the President’s most recent budget, which adopted the Republican idea of the chained consumer price index for social security. Both sides are moving toward the center.

We’re certainly not there yet, but this type of deal is what will ultimately help us solve our problems. Good for the Republicans for letting this bill move forward.


Subscribe via Email

Crash-Test Investing

Hot Topics



New Call-to-action

Conversations

Archives

see all

Subscribe


Disclosure

The information on this website is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.

Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided on these websites. Information on such sites, including third-party links contained within, should not be construed as an endorsement or adoption by Commonwealth of any kind. You should consult with a financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Member FINRASIPC

Please review our Terms of Use

Commonwealth Financial Network®