The GET tax is an excellent way to fund rail construction. People just do not feel the extra tax. In fact a number of economists favor a similar value added tax, or VAT, to replace the income tax at the federal level.

And we really should be taxing vacation rentals. Everyone should pay their fair share.

Corruption IIRC has a bigger effect on nonpayment of taxes. Corruption is so bad in India that the govt recently failed to stop tax dodgers who use cash in all transactions to hide their income. The govt tried to recover taxes by issuing new currency. But corruption allowed the wealthy to game the system.

China just executes anyone that they find corrupt and Xi Jing Ping has followed the money to the top most levels of govt. I hope he is successful and succeeds in bringing the Chinese economy into the 21st Century. Looks like he may need another term in office if he cannot find anyone as experienced, sharp, and dedicated as he is.