The government of Florida operates with no income tax. Its GDP is comparable to Spain and its population sits between Chile and Australia.
Less than one fifth of its revenue comes from federal sources. If its residents weren't paying federal income taxes, Florida could probably afford to increase its taxes to cover the difference.
In the US, local taxes—not federal taxes—pay for the majority of surface street maintenance, schools, emergency services, licensing regimes, health and safety inspections, unemployment insurance, etc. I.e., most of what one considers to be staples of the social contract in a well-administered society.
It seems as though you're implying income taxes are a prerequisite to some standard of living comparable to the US, but that presupposes that income taxes in the US actually pay for the things that make a place worth living in.
If all of those staples are paid for by local governments, then what do federal income taxes pay for? Retirees and military procurement, for the most part.
> Less than one fifth of its revenue comes from federal sources
Over one-quarter (26%) comes from Federal sources according to the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances.
Having 26% of your government funded by (Federal) income taxes sure sounds like Florida can't operate without income taxes. They simply outsource collection to another jurisdiction.
Less than one fifth of its revenue comes from federal sources. If its residents weren't paying federal income taxes, Florida could probably afford to increase its taxes to cover the difference.
In the US, local taxes—not federal taxes—pay for the majority of surface street maintenance, schools, emergency services, licensing regimes, health and safety inspections, unemployment insurance, etc. I.e., most of what one considers to be staples of the social contract in a well-administered society.
It seems as though you're implying income taxes are a prerequisite to some standard of living comparable to the US, but that presupposes that income taxes in the US actually pay for the things that make a place worth living in.
If all of those staples are paid for by local governments, then what do federal income taxes pay for? Retirees and military procurement, for the most part.
Can you imagine other ways to raise those funds?