Fair Income Distribution in Islamic Economics: Wealth Taxes in Turkey in Theory and in Practice

Abstract

Islamic economy holds various features in its body. It is possible that one of the most important features is to provide a fair income distribution. Income distribution has a capacity to create indignation in society when income distribution is not formed as fair. Hence, income is not distributed as fair generally in primary income distribution. The government has to interfere in market to provide justice in secondary income distribution. One of the tools in intervention is tax. However, when collecting taxes, Islamic economy displays sensitivity to labor. In turkey, wealth taxes are applied for the revenues earned without labor. In other words, the sensitivity to labor in Islamic economy finds its place as theoretical in Turkish tax system. In this study, it is revealed the similarities of wealth taxes and fair income distribution which is one of features of Islamic economy as theoretical. And, it is exhibited as hypothesis of the study that wealth taxes and Islamic economy show similarities; but, it is not reached these similarities in practice.