A Very Bad Idea
Apr 07, 2019
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., has proposed a so-called mark-to-market version of the capital gains tax. Put more simply, investors would pay capital gains taxes each and every year in which their assets go up in value, instead of only when they are sold. [...]
The annual tax would also apply to illiquid investments like the value of a private company, real estate and other complex investments.
This will hurt low-income folks the most. Imagine, an old, retired couple today with a house which they bought for $100,000. In a roaring real estate market that house could be worth $200,000 next year. Should the couple get a $25,000 tax bill for that increased value even though they haven't sold the house?
Furthermore, the government will become even more insane and tight with their building permits -- maliciously spiking real estate prices to gobble a larger tax bite. The rich will survive it but the lower middle class will be devastated.
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