FLAT TAX*** TIME HAS COME???

4/15/02 | ANAGM

[ANAGM]

OKAY Freep-peeps... Now open for discussion, the FLAT TAX thread. I for one think the flat tax is a great idea. My only issue with it is that it would likely put thousands of CPA's out of a job, but it would also do away with the majority of the IRS. I want to hear opinions from everyone. I myself, am self-employed so the flat tax is very appealing. I currently set aside about 30% of what I make to meet my tax "obligations". For info on the old ARMEY proposal got to flattax.house.gov Look forward to hearing from you all.

[HiJinx]

Ok, I'll pretend to be naive...
Why does it necessarily have to put CPAs out of business? They do more than taxes. As long as businesses need to keep books, they'll need CPAs to conduct audits at the very least.
And I suspect that some very bright CPAs will figure out a way to branch out...small business consulting services?...and stay in business themselves.
I am obviously not a CPA. Any of you have other good ideas?

[fire and forget]

Flat tax ... great idea! I doubt few here will suggest otherwise unless they want to go further and eradicate income tax altogether. Our best energies should be spent figuring out how to educate voters and get the right folks elected to implement a flat tax.

[EggsAckley]

Bring it on! It's working in Russia; 13% flat tax, and their economy is improving already.

But you're right, too many people depend on the jobs the IRS causes, agents, accountants, etc.
But I say, bring it on! And while we're at it, let's abolish the death tax too!

[glock rocks]

Any of you have other good ideas?

land fill? no, my bad, that's lawyers. nevermind.

flat tax would be a major step in the right direction from where we are.

[motzman]

"To those who think we can have a flat tax on incomes, I say we did that once, 1913, and look what we have got."

[shekkian]

Count me in too. 10%, no more than 15%

[HiJinx]

I used to think that about lawyers, until I needed one. Then I found one who was recommended by my local gun store owner. Not too bad a deal!
No, I agree the flat tax is a good thing barring no taxes at all...

[45Auto]

Seems to me I don't voluntarily pay taxes so CPA's can remain in work. I pay taxes like I would pay "protection money" to the mob ; so they won't come and break my legs or in the case of the IRS put me in the can and take away my house. There is very little difference between organized crime and government theft through taxation.

I would support a flat tax but not a national sales tax. The flat tax would have to be something less than 15% and we would have to safeguard the rate by working into law some way to prevent the crooked bastids in Congress from raising it every year. 30% of my hard-earned income is just to darn much. That said, we will never get the criminals in government to agree to anything "fair". The only way we will get out from under their thumb is if we revolt. (Not necessarily armed revolt - don't get me wrong here!)

[ANAGM]

I suppose it doesn't necesssarily put CPA's out of business. However, it certainly would "limit" the number of CPA's by reducing the demand for their services.

[occam's chainsaw]

My only issue with it is that it would likely put thousands of CPA's out of a job

Would you have an issue with curing cancer if it resulted in putting some doctors out of work?
I'm sure those CPA's could find other ways of earning their pay.

[humbletheFiend]

My only issue with it is that it would likely put thousands of CPA's out of a job, but it would also do away with the majority of the IRS.

Maybe you can help me with something I've been wondering about. Why would a flat tax (i.e., a uniform tax rate) on income wipe out the "majority of the IRS" or render CPA's useless?

[HiJinx]

Look what we've got?
A progressive tax that punishes the achievers...
A tool for social stricture in the hands of congress-critters.

No tax at all means we need to look again at tariffs to fund the government.
And in an era of reliance on world trade partners, tariffs are a dangerous thing.

No, we need some form of taxation, sales or flat...
But we need fair taxation!

[45Auto]

The Congress will "reform" the tax system like they "reformed" campaign finance and they "reformed" education in the Carter years - by making it so screwy that you will still need a CPA to figure it out. And in the end they will figure out how to make taxes even higher.

[ANAGM]

"The flat tax is a good thing, barring no taxes at all"

If there's one thing California has learned from gay right's activists it's "push your agenda gradually" Take what you can get and work towards an income tax free society

[gorush]

The flat tax makes too much sense and therefore will never happen.

But it is especially important that EVERYONE pays tax. We have a situation now where about half of the people pay NO taxes...when more than half of the people are voting for freebies an not the principles of freedom our cultural and societal decline will accelerate...and the bottom is approaching way to fast as it is.

[HiJinx]

Man, I can't win here!
Maybe we need to tie in term limits so the congress-critters don't get an opportunity to accrue power...hmmm???

[madison46]

Time has come.

[AzJP]

Our CPA says a flat tax wouldn't dent their business. Change the nature slightly but allow more sleep during springtime, which they would cherish.

Tim

[Caipirabob]

I'd go as far as to suggest CPA's will do better than ever. More people with money, more need to have people who can help manage it. It would be an Amrican renaissance economically, which is why the RATS won't let it ever happen.