[spikels]

If Warren Buffet never sells his shares he will never pay capital gains on those earnings because of the "free stepup in basis" that occurs when you die. You will hear him say income taxes should be higher but I am waiting for him to say that the free stepup in basis is unfair and should be eliminated.

Of course if he ever needs money he can borrow as much as he wants and spend it tax-free! The salary he pays himself is completely irrelevant to his ability to spend.

[midas007]

The bigger problem is the US tax code is a byzantine mess, and duct tape fixes further obscure the greater larceny of the unaware.

A simple solution is fair* "flat" (graduated) tax every year on both balance sheet (assets and holdings) and income sheet. An inheritance tax would be unnecessary, because balance sheet reporting would handle it. One page form, no special amendment shit for megafarms, special credits and other edge-case crap. Also to make things fair across-the-board, tax companies and trusts in a similar manner. And yes, people would continue trying gambits. It would never happen of course unless people get organized and insist on it.

No more hideouts for the ultrawealthy while everyone else subsidizes services they use.

* Poor pay less down to 0% for 2X minimum wage, % levels out at some upper-middle class level and stays constant.