It's time for a graduate tax

[junketman]

Instead of forcing fees on students while they are at college, and making it financially difficult for themselves and their parents, it's time the FF lead governmnet implemented a graduate tax, that is an extra five percent tax on new graduates for a number of years after they graduate to pay for their education.

What today's 3rd level students don't realise is that third level education is not free, someone has to pick up the tab and as taxpayers we have to pick up the tab for their four years of sitting on front of the tv all day, partying, dossing and generally lazy lifestyle.

A graduate tax is the most equitable and indeed the best way to gain funds for third level, because it would apply to all graduates and not just means tested ones. This would bring in far far more money for the exchequer than simply means testing.

I would suggest 4-5% extra on top of their normal tax for 4 or 5 years after they leave college. This would be fair and equitable and make them pay for their education rather than the rest of us.

In this time of want, we can no longer have students sponging off us taxpayers and looking for a free ride through college. It makes no sense to have the sons and daughters of lawyers, judges, doctors and politicians getting a free ride through college while the rest of us taxpayers struggle to pay their bill.

[locke]

And what about graduates that emigrate?

[CookieMonster]

And what about graduates that emigrate?

Well if there was a tax then more would emegrate to avoid paying it. I think it's win-win situation for all involved. GO THIS IDEA! w00t.

In other words, no.

[Clanrickard]

I would suggest 4-5% extra on top of their normal tax for 4 or 5 years after they leave college. This would be fair and equitable and make them pay for their education rather than the rest of us.

So in the first 4or 5 years of working life when they are earning least you want to tax them more? Why not just make every student take out a loan?

[zakalwe1]

So in the first 4or 5 years of working life when they are earning least you want to tax them more? Why not just make every student take out a loan?

cus that might make sense and be a really good idea, which the govt is clearly incapable of.

[junketman]

Although thinking again, over 50% never graduate after entering college, so how they would be charged is the question...probably unfair to let them have a free ride while those who actually studied and graduated pay for it.

I guess there is no alternative so to means tested fees, the government have to get money somehow, they can't keep fleecing Joe Taxpayer, no matter how much 3rd level students would be in favour of that.

[CookieMonster]

Although thinking again, over 50% never graduate after entering college, so how they would be charged is the question...probably unfair to let them have a free ride while those who actually studied and graduated pay for it.

I guess there is no alternative so to means tested fees, the government have to get money somehow, they can't keep fleecing Joe Taxpayer, no matter how much 3rd level students would be in favour of that.

College loans. Pay for what you use. Only stay one year, only pay for one year. Stay for 4 pay for 4. Simple.

[JCSkinner]

Instead of this, I'd propose a Fianna Fail tax, aimed at those who are members of Fianna Fail, have contributed to Fianna Fail or attended official Fianna Fail functions.
This highly targetted tax would seek to retrieve many of the state's funds that were squandered in pork barrel, parish pump beneficence in recent years by the soldiers of destiny.

[goosebump]

In Norway, students fund their education through loans, which they pay back when they start work (ie not when they graduate)

If they pass their finals first time out, the loan is automatically reduced by 50%.

Seems very sensible.

[michaelo]

I would be in favour of a scheme similar to this. In return for free fees, graduates would have to pay an income levy once they earn above a certain amount. The levy would expire once they have repaid a defined amount. I am not in favour of a fixed term levy, or taxing all students immediately after they begin work. Rather a levy which applies to people who are earning well in excess of the average wage, and this high wage is in part due to their third level education.

Courses which are expensive to run, should have a higher payback.