tirsdag 17. september 2013

"School" of Norway


Meanwhile, in Norway:


  • The tax authorities, labour union, national commerce association collaborated on a campaign reaching out to all highschoolers, telling them about the purpose of tax, and how it works.
  • The Government and tax authorities have simplified taxes, and tax regulation, and everything is done online (there's even an APP for both Android and iOS to guide you through all deductibles). And given that everyone is required by law to report income on their employees,  financial institutions are required to report your fortune, debt, and interest on loans, kindergartens required to report your deductible costs on child care, your tax form is filled out in advance. You only have to fill in what other deductibles you have. If you don't have anything to add, just forget about it - it handles itself. :)
  • If you run a small business with less than 600 invoices, you only have to put your company income and costs, in two extra fields online.
  • We have school elections for those not yet of voting age, with democracy as curriculum in social science classes.
  • Banking is covered to some degree by special courses. But if you want to go deeper, a BBA or an MBA is possible to enroll for, free of charge.
  • Student loans are public, and you only have to tell where you live (if not at home), and if you want a part time or full time grant/loan - or only the part that may be converted to a grant should you pass all courses (40% conversion from loan to grant upon achieving a passing grade). 
  • Buying a car only requires money, as the seller is required by law to make sure everything else is in order - you won't even get your license plates without first getting insurance. You might have to fill out some forms.
  • Buying a house. Talk to an adviser at the bank. They're required by law to ensure you not go into any agreement where you forfeit everything down the road, or if you choose to do it anyway, you do it knowingly... 


Some people up here call much of this unnecessary meddling in our affairs. I call it leveling the playing field, with equal opportunities for all. ;) "Some people" just won the election.

PS. We learn about Pythagoras too... there's only one theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2\!\,

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