ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 02/06/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 03/06/2024
Question: Some people think that people should keep all their money and should not have to pay tax to the state. Do you agree or disagree?
(IELTS Academic – 01/06/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
It is sometimes asserted that working people should not be required to pay tax and instead be allowed to use their income as they wish. I largely disagree with this assertion given its impacts on social spirit and necessary investment even though the misuse of tax money might be a concern.
The foremost rationale for my disapproval of people being exempted from paying taxes is the rise of selfishness. As this policy allows everyone to keep all of their salaries for themselves without contributing to the national shared budget, it might encourage a selfish attitude which prioritises personal richness over shared responsibilities. If this attitude proliferates, society might suffer from a decreased sense of belonging and connection among its citizens.
Another reason why I am against allowing paid employees to bring home their entire income lies in the necessity of governmental investment. In reality, income tax is one of the most significant financial sources for the national budget, which funds various projects addressing infrastructure, literacy, employment and healthcare. Provided that this source is completely eradicated, these crucial projects might all come to a halt, causing possibly far-reaching repercussions on not only the immediate operation of a country but also its future prosperity.
However, I acknowledge the possibility of taxpayers’ contributions being misused. Those who are in charge of managing national funds might abuse their power for their own benefit. To illustrate, several ministers of the Vietnamese government have been convicted of corruption in recent years with millions of dollars being invested illegally in companies secretly connected to their families. This has undermined the trust of ordinary Vietnamese who regularly contribute to the national budget through the income tax system.
In conclusion, I am mostly against the idea of freeing people from tax responsibilities as it negatively influences social cohesion as well as hinders the execution of social initiatives, despite the risk of corruption. That is why countries should run nation-wide campaigns to educate people on the significance of income tax and implement policies that enhance the transparency and effectiveness of national fund management.
(Word count: 343)
WORD LIST
| ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
| Social spirit | Tinh thần xã hội |
| The national shared budget | Ngân sách chung của quốc gia |
| A decreased sense of belonging and connection | Giảm cảm giác thân thuộc và kết nối |
| Financial sources | Nguồn tài chính |
| Far-reaching repercussions | Hậu quả sâu rộng |
| Abuse their power | Lạm dụng quyền lực |
| Be convicted of corruption | Bị kết tội tham nhũng |
| The income tax system | Hệ thống thuế thu nhập |
| Tax responsibilities | Trách nhiệm về thuế |
| Social cohesion | Sự gắn kết xã hội |
| National fund management | Quản lý quỹ quốc gia |
