Thread: Tax on childlessness?

Childlessness Tax to be reintroduced in Russia?

According to "Interfax", deputy chairman of the Duma health committee Nikolai Gerasimenko has proposed to bring back the childlessness tax to improve our country's demographic situation. Minister of Health and Social Development Mikhail Zurabov is not against compelling those without children to pay a tax that would go toward programs for large families.

"It is time to think about a childlessness tax, – said Duma member Gerasimenko. – Those who do not do their duty to the Motherland, should pay". He says the idea is being currently discussed in the Duma. And as soon as it is worked through, a law based on it will be prepared.

On his side Minister Zurabov notes, that as an idea, the question of implementing a childlessness tax is fully understandable. At the current time there is a search for a stable source of financing of social and family programs, and this tax could be used as such a source.

However Zurabov also said, that the reproductive behaviour of the Russian population seriously depends on state politics, and not simply on taxes. He showed as example, that because of birth rate raising measures adapted in СССР in the 1970s, by 1987 the birth coefficient in the country stood at 2,19, well above replacement levels. Over 10 years after that, the coefficient decreased to 1,17. Currently, the Russian coefficient is holding stable at about 1.7.

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Well... I agree with this to some extent. There are still too many large families in rural Russia who live in less than adequate conditions

These are real, village Russians. A totally different culture. They are not like the spoiled, rich yuppies in Moscow who, increasingly, wait until they are 35 to have a child, one, if even that. Nothing wrong with that, nobody should be forced to have children, of course. But they should still help those who do. Children are the fuel for a society. Young people are what powers a country. They are the students, the workers. The providers for the old. A country needs youth to maintain its economic and social standing. In that way, mothers like the one in Siberia in that photo do a lot for their country. Those people need that money, that help. Without children, of course, there is no future.

Why not pay cash payments to those who have children as in kindergelt in Germany vs. penalizing those that don't? How fair would your solution be to those who can't have children?

Originally Posted by EnigmaO01

Why not pay cash payments to those who have children as in kindergelt in Germany vs. penalizing those that don't? How fair would your solution be to those who can't have children?

A. Agree about those who are unable to concieve for medical reasons. They should be exempt from this.

B. There is a "maternity capital", $10,000 per every second and subsequent child (+$10,000 more from municipal government for Moscow mothers); plus those with 3 or more children are elibible for free land plots.

Originally Posted by The Man

Well... I agree with this to some extent. There are still too many large families in rural Russia who live in less than adequate conditions

"To some extent." Whatever. You agree with punishing (taxing) smart behavior and rewarding (handouts for) stupid behavior. Brilliant plan.

These are real, village Russians. A totally different culture.

So?

They are not like the spoiled, rich yuppies in Moscow who, increasingly, wait until they are 35 to have a child, one, if even that.

Maybe the fact that they make smart decisions around having kids has something to do with their capacity to accumulate money. Holy shit whatta concept.

But they should still help those who do.

Your opinion is noted and then disregarded.

Children are the fuel for a society. Young people are what powers a country.

Not if it requires tax revenue just to raise them. In that case they are a drain on society.

In that way, mothers like the one in Siberia in that photo do a lot for their country. Those people need that money, that help. Without children, of course, there is no future.

This is a joke, and I just fell for it, right? Totally bit the hook.

Originally Posted by Mordent

We already have that here in the US. Of course, we just make the breeders pay less tax through deductions. It pretty much means that those who don't have children pay more than those who do. And then there's property tax that funds schools.

Hm. I detect a market for breeders.

Originally Posted by Dangermouse

If they're not reproducing then there can be no marriage. Isn't that the zealot line on gay weddings?

Yes... In Russia, it is still thought that procreation is one of the main purposes for marriage (there are others too, like financial gain or career growth, but procreation is right up there also).