The more efficient tax plan would tax the painting when the owner bought it and tax the new purchaser on the one million higher price paid later. Then the people who can't afford those things never have to worry about the tax. Consumption taxes with exemptions for food and medical care is very fair. If we must have an income tax, at least it could be a flat rate so everybody pays something. It is too easy under the current system to grow government and waste money because half the population pays no tax and doesn't care.