Saying that a sales tax will affect what people choose to buy is like saying that the income tax affects what people choose to earn.
“Nope, don’t want to earn more money, because I’ll be taxed more on it.”
Income tax does affect what people choose to earn - “Why work harder for diminishing returns? I’ve got enough now...”
Any tax system affects people's behaviour. Under the current system, people may not choose to earn less, they just decide how they will earn it based on the tax system.
Changing the tax system will change peoples buying habits as well as changing their savings and investment habits.
“Nope, don’t want to earn more money, because I’ll be taxed more on it.”
I am a small business owner and i have heard that phrase before.....several times as a matter of fact....you have no idea how dumb the sheeple are.....
“Nope, don’t want to earn more money, because I’ll be taxed more on it.”
Laugh, but it is absolutely true. I remember when I was a small child in 1980 my father was offered a very big promotion which also required relocating. As a small kid, all I could see was what his salary and bonus plan was. And they were big numbers. A sizable amount over what he was getting at the time.
He turned the job down and I asked him why he didn't want to make that money. In my first lesson in economics and taxes, he showed me that at the higher salary and new location, he would actually has LESS money in his pocket after taxes.
So yes, an increased tax burden will lead people to elect to not earn more.