Paolo, what do you mean when you say we should approach income tax with the goal to "pay best," not just "pay less"?
When I say we need to approach income tax not with the mindset of paying less, but with the mindset of paying best, I’m calling for a shift in how we think about our role in society and the value of the systems we contribute to. People often focus on minimizing taxes, seeing it as a way to hold onto as much of their income as possible, but this approach is short-sighted and individualistic. Paying “best” is about seeing taxes as an investment in the collective well-being—a way to contribute to the world we want to live in, rather than just a financial obligation.
Think about it: taxes fund the things we all rely on, whether it’s infrastructure, education, healthcare, or public safety. Instead of asking, "How can I pay as little as possible?" the real question should be, "How can I ensure that my tax money are being used to make a difference?" In this mindset, we’re not looking to evade our contribution but to optimize it for the greatest social impact. It’s about understanding that tax money isn’t just leaving our pockets—they’re going toward creating opportunities, stability, and growth in the communities we’re part of.
Paying “best” also means being actively engaged in how tax revenues are spent. It’s about holding systems accountable, demanding transparency, and advocating for those tax money to be directed toward areas that actually make life better for everyone. This approach requires us to move beyond our individual gain and think about the collective good.
When you adopt the mindset of paying “best,” you’re not just a taxpayer—you become a stakeholder in the society you’re helping to build. You start to ask deeper questions: Is the money going toward sustainable infrastructure? Are educational programs being funded properly? Are healthcare systems accessible to everyone? This isn’t about blind compliance; it’s about engaged citizenship.
Imagine if more people approached taxes in this way—not just trying to minimize their share, but focusing on maximizing the impact of their contribution. It would transform the conversation around taxes from one of resentment to one of investment in the future. We’d be less inclined to see taxes as a burden and more inclined to see them as a way of bettering society, which ultimately comes back to benefit everyone.
In the end, paying “best” is about reclaiming ownership of our contributions and recognizing that true progress comes from collective action. It’s about moving from a place of personal gain to one of shared responsibility and meaningful impact. And that’s a mindset that doesn’t just serve us individually—it builds the kind of world we all want to live in.