- We are forced to pay tax in many ways. Name a type of tax in your country. Is it high? Why do you think so?
- Do you live in a country where tax money is spent wisely? Why do you think that?
- Do you feel that there are people in society who are taxed unfairly (too high or too low)? For example; big businesses, small businesses, retired people, young people, women, home owners, families, car owners etc.
- There are many times in life we have to pay large amounts of tax. For example, receiving an inheritance, buying a car, buying a luxury item, buying or selling a house, receiving a salary etc. Tell us a way that you have found or that you have heard of to minimize or avoid tax.
- If you had control of the budget in the town or city where you live, what would you like to build for or give to the people who live there?
- If you could tax something more heavily to discourage its use (for example; cars, alcohol, tobacco, sugar, pachinko, gasoline, cosmetics, meat, plastics) what would you tax? Why?
Question 1
In New Zealand, cigarettes are taxed highly due to the burden on the health care system from people who have health complications from smoking.Question 2
I think tax money is spent well in New Zealand. I also think that Japan spends it's tax well too due to the subsidized medical system.Question 3
I think that home owners are taxed heavily in the city while taxes are cheaper in the sticks.Question 4
I have heard that making donations can decrease the amount of tax that you must pay.Question 5
In Ikoma, I would increase the numbers of buses as the running times are infrequent.Question 6
In Japan, I would tax alcohol and cigarettes much more. I think a level like New Zealand would be better. In New Zealand one can of beer cost ¥500 and one pack of cigarettes is ¥2,000.Tough Vocabulary
| - English - | - Japanese - |
|---|---|
| burden | 負担 |
| health complications | 健康障害 |
| subsidized medical system | ほじょいりょうせいど |
| the sticks | 田舎 |
| infrequent | 滅多にない |