This chart is missing some important details, particulary with regards to simplification of the tax code. There are also some conflicts between this chart and
the one put forth by the Tax Foundation.
I noticed it particularly with Huntsman - never a candidate I've supported, but I have been interested in his tax plan of late. With the possible exception of Perry's and Gingrich's respective optional flat taxes, Huntsman is the only candidate I am aware of who is in favor of eliminating all deductions and credits in favor of lower rates, and that isn't reflected on the chart. Also, I've seen conflicting reports on Huntsman's stance on the death tax - the Tax Foundation's chart says he is in favor of eliminating the estate tax. ATR cites Huntsman's campaign site as the source for this chart, but that site doesn't address the estate tax issue.
Certainly every candidate is better than Obama on this issue, but I would have liked to see at least one candidate explicitly come out in favor of scrapping the entire tax code and starting over, something which is long overdue.
Wow, I missed the Tax Foundation’s matrix, thanks for showing it to me.
What you say about Ambdr. Huntsman is a fair question. I think that since ATR wants all eliminations of loopholes to be @worst revenue-neutral or @best coupled with significant rate reductions, they aren’t scoring the scouring of deductions/exemptions. ATR isn’t calculating the dollar-for-dollar change, just comparing specific positions.
So therefore one should give Jon Huntsman another look. (Of course as other Freepers would point out, more is at stake than just taxes, which complicates the former Utah governor’s candidacy.)