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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Matthew Taylor and Richard Partington

What is a wealth tax and would it work in the UK?

The front of a Rolls Royce car
Surveys consistently find strong backing among the public for a wealth tax. Photograph: Europa Press News/Europa Press/Getty Images

What is a wealth tax?

A wealth tax is an annual levy on an individual’s total net assets – property, investments, cash, even antiques or art – above a given threshold. The idea is to directly target accumulated wealth, not just income. In the UK there are already some taxes on wealth – inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and council tax – that could be tightened up before a new tax is introduced.

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