I guess it might take a few more pages to precisely describe what constitutes a “charitable organization” or something… it wouldn’t take our whole tax code, that’s for sure.
Part of the problem is that we have so many stupid deductions. You get to deduct mortgage interest, and children you have, and student loans… we’re shifting incentives all over the place without any awareness of what we’re doing.
You underestimate the intentionality of the deduction scheme. The things which are incentivized by the tax code are purposeful. They have knock-on effects that aren’t anticipated, but that’s true of every policy.
Also, you significantly underestimate how difficult it is to specify all the important aspects of the tax code rigorously enough to be enforceable.
I guess it might take a few more pages to precisely describe what constitutes a “charitable organization” or something… it wouldn’t take our whole tax code, that’s for sure.
Part of the problem is that we have so many stupid deductions. You get to deduct mortgage interest, and children you have, and student loans… we’re shifting incentives all over the place without any awareness of what we’re doing.
You underestimate the intentionality of the deduction scheme. The things which are incentivized by the tax code are purposeful. They have knock-on effects that aren’t anticipated, but that’s true of every policy.
Also, you significantly underestimate how difficult it is to specify all the important aspects of the tax code rigorously enough to be enforceable.