Being a lazy procrastinator, I filed an extension April 15 and then waited until this weekend to do my tax return. This experience has reinforced my hatred and disdain for our corrupt and punitive tax system. I don’t even have a remotely complicated tax return, just a Cato salary and a few payments for articles and speeches on the income side, along with a standard set of itemized deductions for things like home mortgage interest.
But even dealing with a relatively simple tax return causes lots of angst and makes me long for a simple and fair flat tax. Actually, it makes me long for a limited government, as envisioned by our Founders, in which case we might not need any broad-based tax. And I suppose I shouldn’t blame the IRS. The real villains are the politicians who have spent the past 97 years turning the tax code into a monstrosity.
Now that I’m done venting, I suppose I should include some educational content. In honor of tax day for procrastinators, here are three videos on the flat tax, the IRS, and the global flat tax revolution.
International Liberty 
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to […]
[…] 15 is usually the worst day of the year, giving Americans ample reasons to both laugh and […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] while I’m surely not a fan of the IRS, I’m probably even more critical of politicians since they’re the […]
[…] while I’m surely not a fan of the IRS, I’m probably even more critical of politicians since they’re the ones […]
[…] internal revenue code is a reprehensible mess that torments taxpayers and undermines American […]
[…] internal revenue code is a reprehensible mess that torments taxpayers and undermines American […]
[…] internal revenue code is a reprehensible mess that torments taxpayers and undermines American […]
[…] My daily columns usually revolve around public policy issues such as tax reform, entitlements, and corrupt government. And while sometimes get a bit agitated about bad things in Washington, it’s because I’m a curmudgeonly libertarian, not because of some personal stake (other than being an oppressed taxpayer). […]
[…] If you did a word-association test with people after describing jaw-dropping examples of government incompetence, you would probably get answers like “angry” or “wasteful.” Especially if you asked around April 15. […]
[…] of IRS employees to use our Social Security numbers to steal our money? That’s certainly what goes through my mind as I fill out my tax […]
[…] I don’t think my tax videos will ever be that […]
[…] I don’t think my tax videos will ever be that […]
[…] With tax day fast approaching, it’s time to write about our good friends at the Internal Revenue Service. […]
There is no need for a replacement to the current tax code as it is just fine as is. The problem stems with non-federal persons who are unwilling to take the initiative to study the code of Title 26. Tax Lawyers and the IRS has convinced most people into believing that the tax code is too complex for the common individual to understand. This is done in order to keep the lucrative business of income taxation operating under color of law.
The Tax code only applies to federal entities and yet ignorant non-federal persons continue to pay a tax on their income which is not taxable. Why is it when you tell someone of the facts of law, they will not take the initiative to investigate and see if the law applies to them? A simple reading of subtitle A and subtitle C of 26 U.S.C. will allow the reader to see whether the tax applies to them or not. You must be “made liable” for a tax to owe it. Subtitle A is about the income tax, all 1,564 code sections, and not one section provides for making anyone “made liable” for the tax. The only way this tax can be paid is, by federal entities that make a voluntary agreement with their employer via a W-4 Tax Form, see section 3402(p). If the federal employee chooses to not pay the tax, he/she claims “no liability” for tax according to subtitle A, see section 3402(n), where the federal employee makes this claim on a W-4 Tax Form.
Congressman Dennis A. Ross of the 15th district of Florida admits to one of his constituents (me) that the current tax code does not specifically state individual American’s liability for payment of federal taxes. Last but not least, look in the “Index” to 26 U.S.C. under the caption, “Liability for tax”, and you will not see a listing for “income” as a taxable liability.
[…] many taxpayers, I personally get upset with the Internal Revenue Service when I file my […]
[…] many taxpayers, I personally get upset with the Internal Revenue Service when I file my […]
[…] Grinch Who Stole Christmas should be the theme song for the Internal Revenue Service. After all, that bureaucracy is “as cuddly as a cactus” and “as charming as an […]
[…] Grinch Who Stole Christmas should be the theme song for the Internal Revenue Service. After all, that bureaucracy is “as cuddly as a cactus” and “as charming as an […]
[…] should we focus our ire on the IRS, which seems to go above and beyond the call of duty to oppress innocent […]
[…] IRS is worthy of scorn. It is a bloated bureaucracy that routinely violates the rights of […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] worried about the NSA’s intrusion and power, then you should also worry about the power of the IRS. If you’re concerned about the IRS’s authority, then you also should fret about the […]
[…] do I get most agitated by a corrupt and punitive […]
[…] that’s a much less destructive way of raising revenue compared to America’s corrupt and punitive internal revenue […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] Special tax preferences led to a monstrous tax code. […]
[…] us while enriching the politicians, lobbyists, bureaucrats, and interest groups. Or the oppressive and dishonest […]
[…] us while enriching the politicians, lobbyists, bureaucrats, and interest groups. Or the oppressive and dishonest […]
[…] there’s an argument for a shutdown! Imagine, no IRS to make our lives miserable. Though let’s not jump to conclusions. Knowing Obama, he’s probably declared that all […]
[…] Special tax preferences led to a monstrous tax code. […]
[…] makes the cartoon so effective, though, is the inclusion of an IRS thug and a snoop from the […]
[…] IRS is worthy of scorn. It is a bloated bureaucracy that routinely violates the rights of […]
[…] IRS is worthy of scorn. It is a bloated bureaucracy that routinely violates the rights of […]
[…] IRS is worthy of scorn. It is a bloated bureaucracy that routinely violates the rights of […]
[…] IRS is worthy of scorn. It is a bloated bureaucracy that routinely violates the rights of […]
[…] was thinking of writing something deep and profound, but then I saw this cartoon. For those of us who love the IRS, it’s too good not to […]
[…] should we focus our ire on the IRS, which seems to go above and beyond the call of duty to oppress innocent […]
[…] should we focus our ire on the IRS, which seems to go above and beyond the call of duty to oppress innocent […]
[…] It even bothers me that bureaucrats put in fewer hours on the job than private-sector workers, even though I realize the economy probably does better when government employees are lazy (after all, we probably don’t want hard-working OSHA inspectors, Fannie and Freddie regulators, and IRS bureaucrats). […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] I actually think he is letting the IRS off the hook too easily. […]
[…] …the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] happy to bash the IRS, but I usually try to explain that our anger should be focused on the politicians who created the […]
[…] happy to bash the IRS, but I usually try to explain that our anger should be focused on the politicians who created the […]
[…] day job was to then enforce a coercive and reprehensible tax system that took money from […]
[…] Remember, the income tax started as a relatively benign one-page form and it’s become a 72,000-page monstrosity with a thuggish IRS. […]
[…] not a big fan of the Internal Revenue Service, though I try to make sure that politicians get much of the blame for America’s convoluted, […]
[…] system has double taxation. Neither system has corrupt loopholes. And neither system requires the nightmarish internal revenue service that exists to enforce the current […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] not a big fan of the Internal Revenue Service, though I try to make sure that politicians get much of the blame for America’s convoluted, […]
[…] not a big fan of the Internal Revenue Service, though I try to make sure that politicians get much of the blame for America’s convoluted, […]
[…] not a big fan of the Internal Revenue Service, though I try to make sure that politicians get much of the blame for America’s convoluted, […]
[…] Special tax preferences lead to a monstrous tax code. […]
[…] Which is perfectly shown by the final image, which accurately portrays today’s system of government and the IRS. […]
[…] Which is perfectly shown by the final image, which accurately portrays today’s system of government and the IRS. […]
[…] maybe it’s not a bad thing that bureaucrats are lazy. Do we really want more diligent IRS agents? More hard-charging OSHA inspectors? Do we want Fannie and Freddie regulators burning the midnight […]
[…] system has double taxation. Neither system has corrupt loopholes. And neither system requires the nightmarish internal revenue service that exists to enforce the current […]
[…] certainty that politicians would pull a bait-and-switch. We’d still be stuck with the awful income tax system and the IRS, but the crooks and clowns in Washington would have a new source of revenue to feed their spending […]
[…] …the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become amonstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] …the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] [T]he U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] …the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] …the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] system has double taxation. Neither system has corrupt loopholes. And neither system requires the nightmarish internal revenue service that exists to enforce the current […]
[…] system has double taxation. Neither system has corrupt loopholes. And neither system requires the nightmarish internal revenue service that exists to enforce the current […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] this clever document, they reveal that athletes could face a tax bill – to those wonderful folks at the IRS – of nearly $9,000 thanks to America’s unfriendly worldwide tax […]
[…] It also would have been more accurate to have the two slave drivers somehow identified as “politicians” and the “IRS.” […]
[…] this clever document, they reveal that athletes could face a tax bill – to those wonderful folks at the IRS – of nearly $9,000 thanks to America’s unfriendly worldwide tax […]
[…] this clever document, they reveal that athletes could face a tax bill – to those wonderful folks at the IRS – of nearly $9,000 thanks to America’s unfriendly worldwide tax […]
[…] The politicians claim the tax will only be 10 percent and will only be imposed on the expat community. But it’s worth noting that the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only seven percent and it affected less than one percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] The politicians claim the tax will only be 10 percent and will only be imposed on the expat community. But it’s worth noting that the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] The politicians claim the tax will only be 10 percent and will only be imposed on the expat community. But it’s worth noting that the U.S. income tax began in 1913 with a top rate of only 7 percent and it affected less than 1 percent of the population. But that supposedly benign tax has since become a monstrous internal revenue code that plagues the nation today. […]
[…] With the clock ticking ever closer to the tax-filing deadline, this is the time of year we should be especially cognizant of America’s awful tax system. […]
[…] A stark example is the way they attacked the Facebook billionaire who moved to Singapore because of punitive taxation and class-warfare […]
[…] Governments coerce me into filling out complicated tax forms in order to give politicians money that will be was…. […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] is the right approach, but only when laws are just. At the risk of stating the obvious, the Internal Revenue Code does not meet that test—especially when the IRS is trying to enforce it in a grossly improper extraterritorial […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] t is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] is very sad that America’s tax system is so onerous that some rich people feel they have no choice but to give up U.S. citizenship in order to protect […]
[…] With the clock ticking ever closer to the tax-filing deadline, this is the time of year we should be especially cognizant of America’s awful tax system. […]
[…] thought I despised the IRS, but I’m just an amateur. I’m in Geneva, Switzerland, where I just finished speaking to […]
[…] thought I despised the IRS, but I’m just an amateur. I’m in Geneva, Switzerland, where I just finished speaking to […]
[…] With the clock ticking ever closer to the tax-filing deadline, this is the time of year we should be especially cognizant of America’s awful tax system. […]
[…] With the clock ticking ever closer to the tax-filing deadline, this is the time of year we should be especially cognizant of America’s awful tax system. […]
[…] on crime” is the right approach, but only when laws are just. At the risk of stating the obvious, the Internal Revenue Code does not meet that test—especially when the IRS is trying to enforce it in a grossly improper extraterritorial […]
[…] is the right approach, but only when laws are just. At the risk of stating the obvious, the internal revenue code does not meet that test – especially when the IRS is trying to enforce it in a grossly improper extraterritorial […]
[…] Taxes and spending are two of the most obvious burdens imposed by government, and I’m glad that many people are fighting against a political class that seems to have a limitless appetite for a bigger public sector. […]
[…] is the right approach, but only when laws are just. At the risk of stating the obvious, the internal revenue code does not meet that test – especially when the IRS is trying to enforce it in a grossly improper extraterritorial […]
[…] realize I’m whining a bit (just like I did with my personal stories about Amtrak, tax returns, traffic tickets, and air travel), but what possible purpose did it serve for the government of […]
[…] * Governments coerce me into filling out complicated tax forms in order to give politicians money that will be was…. […]
[…] the IRS could manage to combine bad tax policy, bad regulatory policy, bad human rights policy, and bad […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] April 11, 2011 by Dan Mitchell I’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] I’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. […]
[…] I’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. […]
[…] I’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. […]
[…] April 11, 2011 by Dan Mitchell I’m not a big fan of the IRS, but usually I blame politicians for America’s corrupt, unfair, and punitive tax system. Sometimes, though, the tax bureaucrats run amok and earn their reputation as America’s most despised bureaucracy. […]
[…] easy to complain about the IRS, but more often than not the bureaucrats are simply carrying out the bad policies imposed by […]
[…] easy to complain about the IRS, but more often than not the bureaucrats are simply carrying out the bad policies imposed by […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] America’s tax system is a complicated disgrace that manages to both undermine growth and promote corruption. The answer is a simple and fair flat […]
[…] So instead of making the IRS bigger in response to a bad healthcare law, why not repeal that bad law and shrink the size of the IRS? Even better, why not junk the entire tax code so we can replace the IRS with a system that is honest and fair? […]
[…] So instead of making the IRS bigger in response to a bad healthcare law, why not repeal that bad law and shrink the size of the IRS? Even better, why not junk the entire tax code so we can replace the IRS with a system that is honest and fair? […]
[…] So instead of making the IRS bigger in response to a bad healthcare law, why not repeal that bad law and shrink the size of the IRS? Even better, why not junk the entire tax code so we can replace the IRS with a system that is honest and fair? […]
[…] So instead of making the IRS bigger in response to a bad healthcare law, why not repeal that bad law and shrink the size of the IRS? Even better, why not junk the entire tax code so we can replace the IRS with a system that is honest and fair? […]
[…] So instead of making the IRS bigger in response to a bad healthcare law, why not repeal that bad law and shrink the size of the IRS? Even better, why not junk the entire tax code so we can replace the IRS with a system that is honest and fair? […]
[…] Push for real tax reform by lowering tax rates and curtailing tax distortions. One of the pleasant surprises of 2010 was the decision, by both Obama’s Fiscal Commission and […]
After reading The Fair Tax on a flight to Las Vegas and back and then attending the 1st Fair Tax Rally in the Atlanta area I just can’t see how anyone would not even consider The Fair Tax. It’s going to be a battle. I travel around and watch the people around me going about their business and I would bet 90% are not aware that The Fair Tax is an option for strangling current system in place now. The majority will not take the time to educate themselves and are sitting on their couches waiting for instructions. But….I still have faith!
[…] Push for real tax reform by lowering tax rates and curtailing tax distortions. One of the pleasant surprises of 2010 was the decision, by both Obama’s Fiscal Commission and […]
[…] Push for real tax reform by lowering tax rates and curtailing tax distortions. One of the pleasant surprises of 2010 was the decision, by both Obama’s Fiscal Commission […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politically powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politically powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politcally powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politcally powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politcally powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] provisions. There are various special provisions for politcally powerful constituencies. As a long-time fan of a simple and non-corrupt flat tax, it is painful for me to see this kind of […]
[…] is why revenue-neutral tax reform, like the flat tax, is the only pro-growth way of eliminating tax […]
[…] is why revenue-neutral tax reform, like the flat tax, is the only pro-growth way of eliminating tax […]
[…] is why revenue-neutral tax reform, like the flat tax, is the only pro-growth way of eliminating tax […]
[…] at how this video has gone viral, but I have to admit that it is quite clever. I don’t think my flat tax videos, for instance, have quite the same flair. In any event, one imagines “the Ben Bernank” is […]
[…] my recent post on “bashing the IRS,” I got several emails and comments asking whether a national sales tax might be a better idea than […]
[…] 18, 2010 by Dan Mitchell After my recent post on “bashing the IRS,” I got several emails and comments asking whether a national sales tax might be a better idea than […]
[…] 18, 2010 by Dan Mitchell After my recent post on “bashing the IRS,” I got several emails and comments asking whether a national sales tax might be a better idea than […]
The problem with the Flat Tax is that it is still an INCOME TAX! You will still have to prove to the government how much you have earned and from where. The FairTax is the best replacement for the punitive Income Tax. With the FairTax there is no income tax, social security tax, or medicare tax. You get all that in your paycheck. Everyone will pay one flat tax rate when they purchase a new product. Used products have already been taxed and therefore will not be taxed again. The more money people have the more they will spend and that is why the FairTax will be a boon to the economy. Due to the prebate feature of the FairTax everyone will buy products tax free up to the poverty level (go to http://www.fairtax.org for details). The rich buy bigger and more expensive products so they will pay more but at the same rate as everyone else. The FairTax does not punish success like the income tax does!
The main problem with the fair tax is that it is a consumption tax. Which means that those of us who must spend most of their income on goods pay a proportionally higher amount than the few who make much more than they spend. Which put us in the situation we are in under the current tax scheme where the best way to pay less taxes is to be extremely wealthy. Unless of course you expand the tax to include corporate expenditures and investment which is a disincentive for business growth. Not, in my opinion a good idea. But if you do not cover those expenditures then we could all spend $100 (in my state it varies) to incorporate ourselves and there would be no tax at all.
Additionally:
5. Taxes criminals.
6. Makes it impossible to “hide” tax increases.
7. Brings home capital from tax havens
8. Encourages investment and savings
9. Discourages excessive consumption
10. Eliminates “death” taxes.
11. Even simpler tax form – only list the number of people in your household.
12. No FICA or Social Security taxes.
13. Keep your entire paycheck. Be 100% aware of what tax you pay every time you make a retail purchase.
There’s more. But honestly supporting the Flat Tax instead of the most well researched piece of legislation in history seems pretty foolish. What’s the motivation? Why support a half measure instead of a total solution?
The Fair Tax does everything that the Flat Tax does, but also accomplishes the following:
1. Repeals the 16th Amendment
2. Removes all justification for government knowing what you make or how you make it.
3. Removes all corporate income tax.
4. Eliminates the IRS.
I’ll second the Fair Tax it is by far the best option out there.
The FairTax eliminates all income tax filing and the IRS. There is a pending legislation for the FairTax Act, HR 25 and S 296.
Why is CATO not supporting the FairTax?