Universal Basic Income v. Funding

Universal basic income (UBI) is a policy proposal that would provide a regular, unconditional sum of money to every individual in a population. The idea behind UBI is that it would provide a safety net for all individuals, regardless of their employment status or other circumstances. One potential way to fund UBI is by cutting existing welfare programs and using the savings to pay for the new program, as well as implementing a value-added tax (VAT) to generate additional revenue.

The first step in funding UBI through welfare cuts would be to identify which programs are duplicative or ineffective. For example, programs that provide income support to specific groups, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, could be consolidated into a single UBI program. This would reduce administrative costs and ensure that everyone is eligible for the same level of support, rather than having different programs with different eligibility requirements. Additionally, programs that have been shown to be ineffective, such as certain job training programs, could be eliminated entirely.

The savings from these cuts would then be used to fund the UBI program. The amount of money needed for UBI would depend on the specific parameters of the program, such as the size of the population and the amount of money to be distributed to each individual. For example, a UBI program that provides $1000 per month to every adult in the United States would cost approximately $3 trillion per year. This is a significant amount of money, and it is likely that welfare cuts alone would not be enough to fully fund UBI.

One way to generate additional revenue for UBI is through the implementation of a VAT. A VAT is a consumption tax that is applied to the value added at each stage of production and distribution of goods and services. This type of tax is common in many countries and can be an effective way to raise revenue without placing a heavy burden on any one group of taxpayers. For example, a VAT rate of 10% on goods and services would generate approximately $1.5 trillion per year in the United States.

When implementing a VAT to fund UBI, it would be important to consider the potential impact on low-income individuals. A progressive VAT, which would have a lower rate for basic necessities and a higher rate for luxury goods, could help to mitigate the impact on low-income individuals. Additionally, the UBI payments could be designed to partially or fully offset the VAT burden for low-income individuals.

Another way to fund UBI is by implementing a financial transaction tax (FTT) on trades of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets. An FTT would raise revenue from the financial sector and could be used to fund UBI programs. The FTT would be imposed on the sale of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and derivatives, and would apply to all market participants regardless of their location. The revenue generated would depend on the rate of the tax and the volume of transactions.

In addition to these funding mechanisms, UBI could also be financed through a combination of other revenue sources. For example, a carbon tax, which would tax the emission of greenhouse gases, could be implemented to fund UBI. Another option would be to increase taxes on the wealthy, such as through a progressive income tax or an inheritance tax.

In conclusion, universal basic income can be funded by cutting existing welfare programs and using the savings to pay for the new program. Additionally, a value-added tax (VAT) and Financial transaction tax(FTT) could also be implemented to generate additional revenue for UBI. However, it is important to consider the potential impact of these policies on low-income individuals and to design the UBI program and taxes in a way that is equitable for all.