Should prostitutes and escorts of all types be obliged to pay income tax and GST?

I have a debate in my philosophy class. I have to argue that they should not have to pay taxes.





Tell me your opinion and then briefly explain why.








Thanks

Should prostitutes and escorts of all types be obliged to pay income tax and GST?
They should not pay taxes because they live as outkasts of society, therefore they do not benefit from the government payouts and programmes that those who pay taxes do.





They are uninsured, their life expectancy is short so they won't become a burden for society when they reach their old age because they will never reach an old age.





They are often victimized and brutalized by their customers and yet never get medical care from the state.





They are already taxed by their lifestyle. Why should they pay taxes to a society which hates and bashes them ?
Reply:yes they are part of the undergorund ecomimey. If the fairtax ever pass they would.
Reply:No. Not until the activity becomes legal and sanctioned by the government. If a prostitute or escort pays taxes now, all they are doing is admitting guilt to an illegal practice. It's tantamount to taxing drug dealers. (though I don't equate the two practices). A better debate would be "should prostitution be legalized".


In other words, how can the government tax an illegal activity?


The government gets its money when they bust the Johns and prostitutes through fines.
Reply:Yes they should have to pay taxes until the tax laws are changed, all income is taxable but some is difficult to verify, the chances of succeeding at collecting those taxes is very small.
Reply:I think they should be like the rabbi who didn't charge for circumcisions, just took tips.





Seriously, anyone who earns money illegally does not pay taxes which creates law enforcement another tool to charge someone who they can't prove they broke other laws. However, if they enjoy the benefits of a society, like public schools, defense, roads, parks, etc, they have a moral obligation to pay taxes. Legally no because their act is illegal and by admitting to the crime they would suffer far more than their tax debt.
Reply:Sorry! I don't see any reason why they shouldn't have to pay taxes and GST... they are providing a service after all :) Maybe you can argue that the money they receive has already been subject to taxes, being that the person who pays them has paid income tax on gross earnings, therefore it would be double dipping by the government ... flimsy though
Reply:If prostitution is government regulated like it is in foreign countries than I would say that they should have to pay taxes.





Since it's illegal here in the US there's no point to arguing for or against it because they would be arrested so they would never pay taxes in the first place.