The salaries of officials in Jing State included clothing, food, housing, transportation, and even servants.
For example, first-rank ministers such as Prime Minister Wang received a monthly salary of 300 strings of cash, 20 pieces of silk, 30 pieces of satin, and 100 taels of cotton for spring and winter clothing, and a monthly salary of 100 dan of millet.
In addition to the regular salary, there were various subsidies, such as tea, wine, kitchen supplies, firewood, wormwood, charcoal, salt, fodder for horses, and clothing and food expenses for personal servants, all of which were paid by the court, and the amount was quite considerable.
All in all, Prime Minister Wang's annual salary exceeded 200,000 taels of silver (the annual salary of the prime minister in the Song Dynasty could reach 300,000 to 500,000 taels of silver), which was not a problem.
Baili Tang wants to deduct half of their salary? Will they agree?
cannot!
"When an avalanche occurs, no snowflake is innocent!" Baili Tang said another pretentious remark!
The people have reached their bottom line. If we increase taxes on them again, they will surely rise up in rebellion. However, the treasury is out of money, and the country is about to cease functioning.
Your country is about to perish, do you still want to stay out of it?
Upon hearing Baili Tang's words, Prime Minister Wang was deeply impressed and immediately knelt down and said, "I am already over fifty years old. Every day I live is earned. I am willing to take half my salary!"
Prime Minister Fan, the follower, knelt down and said, "This old minister is willing too!"
Then came the ministers including Grand Tutor Liang, Zhang Dongzheng, Meng Fang, Ye Chao, and Hu Zhennan, who all expressed their willingness!
Lin Taiwei glanced at Empress Dowager Lin behind the curtain, who nodded at him. Lin Taiwei had no choice but to agree.
After everyone agreed, Baili Tang asked, "My dear ministers, have you ever heard of individual income tax?"
“Personal income tax?”
What tax is that?
They know about the "head tax" but have never heard of the "personal income tax".
The poll tax, also known as the Dingfu, the Suanfu, or the Dingshui, began with Shang Yang's reforms and ended during the reign of Emperor Kangxi: "As long as the population increases, there will be no additional tax." Kangxi abolished the poll tax for additional population, and during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, the "Dingfu rumu" system was introduced.
The State of Jing levied taxes on farmers. Two types of taxes were imposed: one was based on the acreage of land, namely the land tax; the other was based on the number of people, namely the head tax.
The poll tax was highly efficient, but also the most unfair. The so-called most unfairness meant that the rich peasants with the highest incomes and the poor peasants with almost no income paid the same amount of tax, which was regressive.
Personal income tax is a somewhat imported tax. First introduced in Britain in 1799, it was introduced to mainland China in the early 20th century and remains in use today. By the 21st century, it has become a significant global tax.
In 1799, during the Industrial Revolution, the spinning machine was invented, textile factories employed workers, and workers had income, so this tax targeting workers was proposed.
Is it appropriate to promote Bailitang here?
How do you know if it’s suitable for you if you don’t try it?
"I am stupid!" The officials demanded an explanation!
Some people have already secretly turned their gazes to Zhang Dongzheng: You must be the one instigating His Majesty behind the scenes...
Zhang Dongzheng: Heaven and earth, I swear I know nothing about this! What kind of demon is this personal income tax?
Meng Fang: Master Zhang, you're done! Just wait to be beaten to death!
Baili Tang explained, "For example, my dear ministers, you handle official business every day and share the burden of the country. The salaries given to you by the court are your personal income. Theoretically, the personal income tax rate does not exceed 15%."
That is to say, only 15 percent will be deducted instead of 50 percent!
Kai Sen no!!
Behind the curtain, Empress Dowager Lin snorted inwardly: What a trick! First, scare the officials by deducting half of their salaries, and then, after they have no choice but to agree, do this! Baili Tang, what have you encountered since leaving the palace... No, no! This tax is even weird!
A 15 percent reduction won’t make a big difference!
Just as the officials were overjoyed, Baili Tang said again: "My dear ministers, do you understand what personal income tax is? Do you agree with my suggestion? Everyone, please stand up! Don't kneel so easily!"
Taiwei Lin raised a question on everyone's mind: "Your Majesty, if I own a restaurant and a hundred acres of fertile land, does the income from these two things count as personal income?"
"Of course! Unless you, my dear, are not the head of the family!"
Half of the ministers immediately stopped laughing in their hearts!
It turns out that the tyrant emperor was waiting for them here!
Where is the personal income tax only levied at 15%?
Some people even received several times more than half their salary! Especially the Lin family!
Taiwei Lin added: "Your Majesty, I think that the personal income tax and business tax are cumulative!" If the income from those restaurants, teahouses, and brothels are all counted, the Lin family will suffer a huge loss this time!
Empress Dowager Lin's eyes were blazing with anger - Stupid Emperor, no wonder you invited me here...
Baili Tang asked him in return: "Have you ever paid business tax?"
These are the aristocratic families. They don’t have to pay business tax when they open a shop!
"Mother, do you think this tax rate is high?" I am going to start with your Lin family!
"Why not ask the two prime ministers for their opinions?" I am trying to pass the buck!
"Mother, this matter concerns your family. Your opinion not only concerns the interests of your family, but also the entire country!" What a big hat! "Please don't embarrass these two elders!"
"Emperor, it's up to you to decide."
"So, Mother, do you agree with me?"
Queen Mother Lin snorted inwardly: "You cunning creature are becoming more and more interesting! I hope you can withstand my next counterattack!"
Grand Tutor Liang immediately took the lead: "Your Majesty, Queen Mother! I think this suggestion is feasible!"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
