Whale of a tax break

Tax bills are rarely exciting reading but the Trump “Big, Beautiful Bill” contains an odd, probably unique tax break. Inuit whaling captains are able to claim costs of repairing their boats and the weapons they use up to $50,000. It could seem to be a reasonable work related claim but it is given as a charitable contribution.

Don't bother finding it in the 940 pages, it doesn't make it any more sensible until you consider it in the light of the Alaskan Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, needing support to help them retain their seats.

The charitable component arises in the idea that they are supporting their communities but it isn't very charitable to the whales who will be killed by exploding harpoons.

This bill has been attacked on the bug issues, tax breaks for rich people and Medicare breaks for poor people but how many other odd, and actually offensive, issues are hidden in the 940 pages. Even the idea of tax breaks for weaponry should be condemned.

How will history, and Mother Nature, remember Trump and his big, beautiful bill?

Dennis Fitzgerald,

Melbourne, Australia