Raising money

Mr_Ed wrote:...I made the mistake in one game of keeping a 0% tax rate for my nobles....

I have reduced taxes on nobles in the past, and it seemed to kick start a merchant revolution. Not sure I'd go the whole way and charge 0% on them though

Doing that will help as they have more money to spend

I can see that lowering taxes would be good for stimulating luxury goods, but does it improve overall EH? Strong EH surely represents a growing economy which will increase income from the nobility, so they can afford the higher taxes more easily?
I don't really know as in different games I've tried different approaches.
I played in one game (in the days when we had economic reports) where it seemed to be normal for there to be very low taxes everywhere (except on commoners) and 0% trade treaties.
In another game, putting up taxes didn't do much damage to the economy but did bring in much needed cash.

its a balancing act TBH... but lowering Nobles will give a tax boost

I'd agree with Kingmaker, it is a balancing act when it comes to taxes. I've often found it better to focus on things that lead to longer term increases in money-trade, canals, etc.

My favorite money making scheme in the good old days was building liners to support trade. Not quick and easy but it usually worked very well but not so much now in the more recent games.

I was Kwantung China in game 4, joined early 1704. Invested a bit to get the ball rolling.
I built 100 L, and put them to work supporting trade
- 538,000 trade income (from almost nothing)

Next year (1705) another 200 L joined them
-3,790,000 Trade income

Finally in 1706 I built 600L (I was recruiting heavily from all of China)
-16,750,000 trade income

I was a very happy man and started a spending spree, but the game ended shortly afterwards.

600L in one year, that's 90000 recruits ... some serious investment. Not surprised your income went up. Nice.
I was in game 4 as well for a time, pity it closed.

impressive!

Certainly food for thought. I suppose the downside is if everyone decides to do likewise all you end up with is a vast surplus of shipping with little to do.

You have hit the nail on the head.It only works in games with few players and games with inexperianced players,otherwise no advantage or benefit.

has anyone had an example of offering sharia loans and the best way to do this? I was thinking of offering tax-exemptions up to the value of the investment until it is repaid by me. as my tax rates are 6% this is effectively a sharia compliant 6% rate of interest (at least i think so).

anyone have any experience of this?