In general, "not having enough money" is a barrier towards life goals, whether that's from the taxman, rent, commuting costs, fuel, wage suppression, wage theft, or whatever.

> taxes are the difference between being able to save for retirement or not

In countries with state pensions, some of the taxes are saving for retirement.

There's a lot to be said for the idea of reducing the friction of income taxes and shifting instead to property or land value taxes, though. It's a lot harder to conceal a building or move it offshore.