Categories: Potter Gold

The information panopticon, Norway edition

This can’t be a good idea: Norway puts everyone’s tax returns online, for all…

by Andrew Potter on Friday, October 23, 2009 10:04am - 40 Comments

This can’t be a good idea: Norway puts everyone’s tax returns online, for all to peruse.

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John.K

Sweden imposed an income tax in 1809, and Norway became part of Sweden in 1814, so I presume they've had an income tax since 1814….
http://notquiteunhinged.blogspot.com Catelli

I'm not sure we should encourage them to do so though!

Exactly. Its why I won't apply for jobs in the public sector. I know a few other people that have passed opportunities for this reason as well. Why should my neighbors be allowed to know my income, but not the reverse?

And no, I'd never move to Norway either!
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

I have a photocopy of The Globe newspaper of July 26, 1917, where "Income Tax is introduced by Sir Thomas White." Back in the day, it was THE headline (they seem to have three, right below the masthead and spread out across all columns of the paper, with the most important stories of that edition). The other two headlines were "Irish Convention opens in Dublin and selects Sir Horace Plunkett as its Chairman" and "Russians and Romanians make successful attack in Carpathians."

Incidentally, 4% on income over $2,000 for unmarried men, over $3,000 for men with families. Patriotic contributions to be exempted (I don't know what that means). Oh yeah, it passed with some discussion; seems nobody was against the concept, but some wanted higher incomes to pay more.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Of course you realize your entire argument goes away once you realize minimum wage isn't tied to inflation, either, right?
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Yeah, but LKO that is all still remuneration from your job. It doesn't include the six rental units you have, the dividends from all your stocks, the interest you earn, or the killing you've been making selling popsicle stick figures on Ebay.

This Norway thing would include all of that, as well as the deductions for donations to religious organizations and political parties, the number of children you are claiming you have, your cosmetic surgery, etc.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Or you work in the payroll department :) Yes, your payroll employees deserve to be treated nicely.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Good one! That last stanza was inspired! The whole thing, really.
Lord Kitchener's Own

Well, yes and no. Minimum wage should also be tied to inflation.

Just because X isn't as well implemented as it should be doesn't mean Y should have to continue with a similarly flawed formula to keep it the same as X. There's no sense in keeping something broken just so as to ensure that it matches something else that's broken.
Lord Kitchener's Own

Yes, which is what I mean when I wrote "this doesn't make up the difference between a tax return and what is published in the Sunshine list".
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Quite agree. Just as long as we are fixing both, and not adding to the insult by fixing the higher earners and ignoring the lower earners. At least the other way around isn't another kick in the face, if you see what I mean.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Jenn_ Jenn_

Ah. I am skimming posts and not reading as well as I should be. My apologies.
http://intensedebate.com/people/SeanStok SeanStok

Aw shucks. Thanks!
anon

I always wondered what the opposite extreme to libertarianism was. Now I know. Your paycheck is only on loan to you and all loans from the gov't should be publicly disclosed.
TedTylerEzro

What would the equivalent minimum income be in today's dollars?
http://intensedebate.com/people/DZulu DZulu

28,6k for single men and 43k for men with families

http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/en/rates/inflati…