[PatrickHenry]

Another way to look at it ... imagine that the income tax ended, period, and for a brief, shining moment there was zero (Federal) tax burden on all of us. And zero record-keeping and form-filling out. Imagine the economic boom that would result if we could keep the hundreds of billions that are taken from us, and if we could avoid all the odious administrative tasks that the system imposes.

Then, reality rears its ugly head. The federal gov't needs money. How shall it be raised? Would we want to return to the nightmare system we had just dumped? I think not. It would be far simpler to tack on an additional sales tax at the retail level, where merchants are already involved in tax collection activity. No additional bureaucracies needed! Merchants could collect not only for the states, but for the feds too, and remit to the US on a monthly basis. The rest of us would remain free of the paperwork nightmare, and we'd pay taxes in accordance with our consumption.

Seems like a big improvement.

[EternalVigilance]

You are a clear thinker.

I'm with you!

[maui_hawaii]

I agree with you. Also how would this affect investment? No more rolling into and out of taxation on investments, retirements, no need for tax shelters, 'defferred tax' savings plans, etc etc.

As I see every single day, people contort their money around the tax code.

[editor-surveyor]

"Seems like a big improvement."

Until you consider the liklihood of future tax increases. A point will be reached when the tax level turns the economy throttle to idle (can you say Depression?)

[nanny]

Another way to look at it ... imagine that the income tax ended, period, and for a brief, shining moment there was zero (Federal) tax burden on all of us. And zero record-keeping and form-filling out. Imagine the economic boom that would result if we could keep the hundreds of billions that are taken from us, and if we could avoid all the odious administrative tasks that the system imposes.

AND THEN - you woke up.