Ask HN: What would be the effects of a tax on unrealized capital gains?

4 pointsjppope1 comment

Theres been some discussion recently about taxing people on unrealized capital gains. I know the proposals are unrealistic... but I'm just wondering what the possible outcomes are that I might not be thinking about. How would a tax like this effect things like private capital markets, retirement accounts, etc

View on HN

Not an expert in this area but I suspect if this idea started to gain traction people would liquidate all their holdings using any tax loopholes they can find then move their money to a country that does not have this tax and put their money in anonymous trusts, shell companies, etc... I have no idea what impact this might have on the stock market, banks, investment firms, state or national GDP. There are many countries one can purchase a citizenship.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com