Is the lottery a voluntary tax?

Reply #12

Stack47 — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:32:59 GMT

The same people looking down their noses at lottery players probably do the same to Walmart shoppers and I suppose it's similar to people believing they live in the better neighborhoods . The lottery critics see more lottery players because of the abundance of stores selling tickets unlike with horse and dog racing and casinos. Some even criticise online lottery playing they know nothing about.

One might say any revenue collected by states is a tax whether it's on necessities like sales, gas... [ More ]

Reply #11

AlanHarvey — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:19:00 GMT

I agree with you on the indicative of smugness aspect from individuals who look down their noses at lotto players. Lotteries currently operate in many countries around the world. Some of the largest lotteries operate in Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada most US states and several Australian states.Lotteries are usually operated by governments and the large sums extracted from consumers can be regarded as an implicit (and regressive) tax on those who choose to participate. Please underst... [ More ]

Reply #10

realtorjim — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 22:00:00 GMT

That is true, EdG, in the sense of paying taxes on winnings from the lottery. However, the question is posed to the actual purchase of the ticket itself. A sales tax is not charged for purchases of lottery tickets, but a voluntary tax respective of purchasing lottery tickets is still a general reference by some to such purchases, with additional negative connotations to the character of a person who does purchase a lottery ticket. What are your thoughts on this angle

Reply #9

EdG1955 — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 22:23:42 GMT

Most taxes are voluntary. If you don't work, you don't pay income or FICA tax. If you don't own a home, you don't pay property tax. If you don't buy liquor, you don't pay liquor tax. Etc. Likewise, if you play the lottery, you're volunteering to pay a tax of sorts. And on the bright side, unlike the tax paid on booze, the lottery offers a chance of getting your money back.

Reply #8

Coin Toss — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 04:39:38 GMT

music*,

The question realtorjim asked in the OP refers to playing the lottery being a voluntary tax, not the taxes a winner pays (in the U.S. amyway).

I just mentioned 'tell that to a jackpot winner as in;

Critic; You know playing the lottery us a voluntary tax you are paying.

JP Winner: Well that $2 tax paid me $102 million.

Ironic that in your example you used The Tax Man by the Beatles as winners don't pay a tax in the UK, Australia, or Canada, among others.

Reply #7

music* — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 00:01:12 GMT

Coin Toss, Tell that to a lottery winner . When you win a jackpot you will find out how much tax is really paid. New York City has the highest tax on lottery winnings. State, City, and the Federal taxes.

Would you rather win and pay the taxes or lose and pay no taxes?

The Tax Man by the Beatles.

Reply #6

psykomo — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:58:38 GMT

Is the Lottery a voluntary tax? [ YES ] Also, it is known as one of the oldest forms of tax on this earth. Ask yourself what was the purpose of a lottery in the first place? It was a way to raise money to get something done, built or accomplished or in plain English, a way to raise the MONEY.....think Psyko read somewhere that George Washington used a Lottery to finance the troops, build a road or do something.....My point is that what you and everyone else who buys a ticket has paid their taxes... [ More ]

Reply #5

realtorjim — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 03:18:19 GMT

I agree, many critics purport the ... tax on people who are really bad at math statement, but certainly I don't agree with their basis. How many here on LP alone are exceptional at math, yet play the lottery. The math aspect is all about the astronomical odds involved in winning the lottery, so to play one must not be capable of understanding the mathematics of those odds. It seems the consideration of entertainment value is seldom addressed, along with the factual consideration of winning being... [ More ]

Reply #4

Coin Toss — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 15:55:45 GMT

Is the lottery a voluntary tax?

realtorjim,

Along those lines what is the actual worth of a pack pf cigarettes?

The most common thought among lottery critics is it';s a voluntary tax on people who are really bad at math but tell that to a jackpot winner.

Reply #3

MillionsWanted — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 14:11:08 GMT

In a way it is. This way people do not need to pay more regular taxes.

Reply #2

DELotteryPlyr — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:18:43 GMT

We are taxed on almost anything we buy from a store. So why is JUST the lottery a voluntary tax? By paying a 'tax' on anything you buy, you are participating in the tax process. Thus you cannot point a finger at 'what' people buy in regards to how its taxed. So unless you are not participating in any part of the tax process (good luck living that way!) you have no right to point a finger at us who play the lottery.

Reply #1

haymaker — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 01:41:25 GMT

There is no way possible to win a lot of Moolah from paying any tax.

Anti-lottery people just like to say that, as if players pay a tax not forced on them.

Is the lottery a voluntary tax?

realtorjim — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 23:54:51 GMT

The term voluntary tax has long been associated with the lottery, or more specifically, lottery players. By many, it is a label of demeaning stature and education. This may be due to the economics of increased lottery purchases by those who can least afford it. Even so, the purchase is voluntary, thus not a requirement; therefore it is not a tax.

Tax, in itself, is compulsory by design. As such, stating the lottery is a voluntary tax creates an oxymoronic, nonconforming element. There is a di... [ More ]