Posted on 04/15/2019 11:25:28 AM PDT by Rummyfan
Everybody hates income taxes. Some people say there are too many loopholes, or too few incentives, or that they're too high, or too low, or that the system is rigged against (insert your favorite group here), or biased in favor of (insert your least favorite group here) or that the IRS is abusive, or too lenient, and -- almost everybody agrees -- the whole thing is corrupt and corrupting.
I know several of these complaints contradict other complaints, but you know what? They're all true. Every single one. Our tax code is a jumbled mess of contradictions, and the IRS is alternately abusive and permissive.
At the left-leaning Daily News today, David Cay Johnson writes that "theres a fundamental problem at the heart of the way we fund our government." He says that there are actually two tax systems, one for "for working stiffs and retirees," and the other for "rich business owners [who] operate under a different system." Johnson's solution? Hire a lot more IRS auditors who will stick it to the rich.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
The lobbyists from Turbotax and from the IRS union will make sure that the tax system never gets any less complicated or intrusive.
Is Lois Lerner in prison yet? Weaponized against the citizens. LOCK THEM ALL UP.
Ordinary CPA’s are every bit opposed to real reform.
Whenever I mention a federal sales tax to replace what we have now, he hyperventilates.
I’m always drawn to these threads. I’m a tax professional for over 25 years. The code has existed my entire lifetime so I’ll say I’m not sure it’s productive or economically responsible to ditch it. That notwithstanding, lobbying efforts from S&L Governments, lobbying firms, corporations, unions, trade unions, professional associations, etc.. have made it way too complex for individuals.
I’d do away with the filing of tax returns. I’d let the IRS bill citizens. This is how.
You eliminate all exemptions, deductions, etc.. everything. You lower the tax rates to the effective rate people are paying now net of their deductions at each and every bracket.
Tax wages, interest and dividends at normal rates. Tax capital gains and capital gain dist. at reduced capital gain rates. Tax any other financial instrument as an item of “intangible income” at the normal income rates. All of this information is already reported to the IRS.
Wait for you bill and pay. If you can forecast your taxes well enough, the only balance due or refund owed to you should be a function of your non W-2 income.
This would keep the IRS employed (what lobbyists want) and greatly reduce the burden on the average US taxpayer.
Alas, it’ll never happen
Sorry folks, you’re looking at it backwards.
First thing: Cut out ALL non-Constitutional spending.
Cut out ALL Federal functions not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
Only then can we find out what the bill is for services rendered, and THEN equally apportion it among the people.
The gov’t (any gov’t, anywhere) giving up a source of revenue? Yeah, good luck with that.
Even a simple flat rate system of say 10% for everyone, no deductions, etc. etc. is just a pipe dream. The whole “tax industry” would collapse, and they will simply not allow that to happen.
I’m strongly opposed to that.
I don’t like giving the government ANY form of new tax. Nothing that can be progressive and increased. Nothing unless something else is permanently repealed. Which will be hard to do.
What they should do is create an “Annual Report Fee” for every legal entity on the books. Shell companies, LLCs, Partnerships, all forms of corporations. Every one.
You could graduate it somehow from say $10 for a tiny company up to $250 for a large corporation. Base it on gross sales, number of entities in a consolidated group, whatever... just get the money.
Every state has this. Think of the 10s of millions I bet it would create.
Tariffs and sin taxes will do it. We import everybody’s stuff and we will get 100% of our paychecks. I’ll quit drinking.
The lobby profession would dearly love your idea.
What is easier on the public and on business than the state sales tax?
As for two taxes, income and sales. we have that in every state other than I think Florida.
The idea that we can not reduce income tax to nearly zero while instituting a sales tax is BS. We simply make the reduction of or elimination of the income tax a condition of the sales tax.
Why do you want to do that? That makes no sense. Instead of making a consumption tax, you want people to form fewer companies?
Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment
Here we go again. Que the flat tax folks as well.
With respect, a bad idea compounded by bad enforcement should not endure merely because it's old.
As much as I hate the IRS and the income tax I cant agree with the Fair
I can not consent to involuntary servitude, even to the government.
Forcing merchants as a condition to their business license to collect taxes for the Federal government is in my mind slavery and making them involuntary accomplices to theft.
I know of more than one merchant that fell behind on submitting his check to the state for sales taxes. One went to jail the other took his own life.
The IRS auditors are evil and so are the State Sales tax auditors.
I would much prefer a flat tax that requires the individual to write a monthly check to the government.
This would keep it at the forefront of each individuals mind the cost of government.
It would also keep it in the minds of every Politians that the people of this country are constantly being reminded of the cost of their vote buying.
Amend the Constitution by eliminating the 16th amendment.
Then eliminate the 17th amendment.
It would virtually eliminate democrats.
5.56mm
Chunk the ATF too.
no.. liberals love to be taxed... I say lets tax THEM more, and US less!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.