AMERICA’S TAX CONFUSION

[Geee]

American Spectator:

By the time you read this, nearly 90 percent of American adults will have filed their income tax returns for the 2013 tax year. And I will have finished drinking a glass of truly tremendous bourbon; 130 proof seems appropriate to numb the pain.

 

A big check to the state, and a much bigger one to the federal Treasury, reminds us of how little we get for the taxes we pay and how much the tax system is distorted to favor special interests and buy votes. (If you have to write a particularly egregious check to your state, you might want to consider this new and helpful Laffer Center calculator called “Save Taxes by Moving.” Those living in Tennessee get the best of both worlds: No earned-income tax but some very fine local whiskeys.)

 

With more than half of President Obama’s 442 proposed tax increases as well as some of the heftiest Obamacare taxes (since Chief Justice Roberts told us that that’s what they are) coming (or hoped by the administration to be imposed) in the next two years, we will soon look back on this tax season the way you fondly recall getting a filling when the dentist tells you that today you need a root canal.

 

But even now, the American people despite being woefully misinformed about our tax system — exactly as the left wants them — are adding the federal income tax to their many dissatisfactions with Obama administration.

[Valin]

Some Good News on Tax Reform (if You're a Fan of the Flat Tax)

Daniel J. Mitchell

Apr 19, 2014

 

Im ecumenical on tax reform. Ill support any plan that rips up the internal revenue code and instead lowers tax rates, reduces double taxation, and cuts out distorting loopholes.

 

And as I explain in this interview, both the flat tax and national sales tax have a low tax rate. They also get rid of double taxation and they both wipe out the rats nest of deductions, credits, exclusions, preferences, and exemptions.

 

 

Youll notice, however, that I wasnt very optimistic in the interview about the possibility of replacing the IRS with a simple and fair tax system.

But perhaps Im being needlessly gloomy. New polling data from Reason-Rupe show that theres very strong support for reform. At least if you favor a flat tax.

 

 

(Snip)

[Valin]