How the US Tax System Stole $600 Billion From Black Americans
A new book by University of Virginia professor Andrew W. Kahrl argues that the country has weaponized tax collection against its citizens for more than a century.
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A new book by University of Virginia professor Andrew W. Kahrl argues that the country has weaponized tax collection against its citizens for more than a century.
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Apr 5, 2021
Bloomberg News
,(Bloomberg) -- Bank of Nova Scotia, Canada’s third largest lender, waded into the burgeoning debate over whether Justin Trudeau’s government should take immediate steps to cool the nation’s hot housing market, issuing a report that cautioned against rushing to implement new constraints.
In a report released Sunday, Scotiabank’s chief economist Jean-Francois Perrault said the recent run-up in home prices nationally over the past year was in large part driven by sluggish supply that failed to keep up with higher demand -- a trend that could reverse itself as new sellers enter the market in coming weeks. If the government does decide to take action, it should target housing speculators, he said.
“We are hopeful that listings will rise in coming months, Covid-19 lockdowns permitting, and that that will restore a better balance between sales and inventory,” Perrault said in the report. “If that does not occur, some form of action might be required.”
Home prices across the country are being fueled by historically low interest rates that are driving buyers into the market, triggering a debate over whether steps should be taken to curb demand. Some economists have begun urging policy makers to do something, worried about affordability and the risk of a correction. Others, including Toronto-Dominion Bank Chief Executive Officer Bharat Masrani, are arguing that price pressures could abate once the crisis subsides.
Overheated
In recent reports, both Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal say the housing market is getting overheated and immediate steps are needed. Among the more controversial tools Trudeau’s government could use would be to impose a capital gains tax on the sale of permanent residences.
“Many Canadians believe the policy environment guarantees property values will rise indefinitely,” Royal Bank economist Robert Hogue said in a March 24 report. “Policymakers should put everything on the table, including sacred cows like the principal residence exemption from capital gains tax.”
Perrault said a capital gains tax shouldn’t be considered because it could represent a “significant financial blow to Canadians.” If anything, regulators should focus on speculative activity, where home buyers are entering the market purely on expectations that prices will continue to rise.
“Speculative activity is the issue of most concern, and any immediate policy actions should be limited to reducing speculation,” Perrault said. The government could, for example, consider taxing sellers who buy a home only to sell it again quickly.
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