Immigrants contribute to government revenues through taxes from "summary" of Issues in the Economics of Immigration by George J. Borjas
One of the key arguments in the ongoing debate about the economic impact of immigration is the notion that immigrants contribute to government revenues through taxes. Advocates of immigration often highlight this argument as a way to demonstrate the positive fiscal effects of immigration on the host country. When immigrants come to a new country, they join the labor force and start earning income. As they earn income, they become subject to the same tax laws that apply to all other workers in the country. This means that they pay income taxes, Social Security taxes, Medicare taxes, and other forms of taxation that help fund government programs and services. In addition to paying income taxes, immigrants also contribute to government revenues through other forms of taxation. For example, when immigrants purchase goods and services, they pay sales taxes. When they own property, they pay property taxes. These contributions to government coffers help support a wide range of public services, from schools and roads to police and fire protection. Moreover, immigrants also make contributions to government revenues through their entrepreneurial activities. Many immigrants start their own businesses, creating jobs and generating economic activity in their local communities. As these businesses grow and become successful, they pay corporate taxes and other forms of taxation that further boost government revenues.- The argument that immigrants contribute to government revenues through taxes is based on the simple economic reality that when people work, earn money, and engage in economic activities, they generate tax revenues for the government. This argument is often used to counter the perception that immigrants are a drain on public resources, highlighting instead the positive fiscal contributions that immigrants make to their host countries.
