[awsedr58479]

16% VAT isn't that high to my knowledge.

As seen in other comments, middle classes are the one who will likely pay the most. Lots of "legit" companies/workers are paying income taxes; they represent the 2%.

[isostatic]

The left often argue that VAT is a regressive tax, with "poor" (by which they mean low income, not low wealth) people paying more as a percentage of their income than "rich" people.

I'm not entirely sure why, given the number of basic items that don't attract vat (rent, train fares, food).

Buy a new car though and you're paying tons.

[CiaranMcNulty]

Because the % of income spent on goods decreases as earnings increate.

Many high-earners aren't 'spending' their money, they're investing it to make more money

Whereas low-earners are spending their pay cheque before the next one arrives.