There's less sticker shock than you imagine since used cars or homes are no taxed.
In addition, the prices of taxable items will actually decrease with the FairTax as the cascading, embedded tax costs which artificially raise prices presently will be removed with the FairTax causing prices to go down before any tax is applied. Overall prices probably won't change much.
Right now under the income tax, these artificially raised prices will be paid on anything and everything you spend money for which affects all of us while under he FairTax you have some things not taxed and can at least control the timing of your consumption.
Presently many savers are hit with different types of taxes even before they spend any money in addition the the "hidden taxes" of the raised prices. Used items are typically cheaper now than new ones so it's hard to see a reason why this would not coninue with the FairTax.
And which economists are you basing that bold prediction???? Jorgenson?????
Exactly. The demand for used items will skyrocket as will their price. No one wants to pay the 'fair tax'.
Can you imagine paying 23+% on a $200k home?? Or even a $35k auto?
I wouldn't. New home and auto sales will die.
In addition, the prices of taxable items will actually decrease with the FairTax as the cascading, embedded tax costs which artificially raise prices presently will be removed with the FairTax causing prices to go down before any tax is applied. Overall prices probably won't change much.
Were you around during the 'sugar crisis' circa early '70s?
The price of sugar skyrocketed. Soft drink makers raised the price of soft drinks, a lot.
But guess what? They raised the price of artificial drinks also. Even though they don't contain sugar.
Depending on industry to drop their prices because they have come into a tax-less windfall is... I won't count on it.