Free Republic

FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS October 8, 2002 PO-3516 TREASURY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TAX POLICY PAM OLSON REMARKS TO THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE TAXPAYER ADVOCACY PANEL Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Pam Olson met with the new members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel yesterday. The new Taxpayer Advocacy Panel members are here in Washington for three days of orientation and meetings: Good morning. I appreciate the opportunity to be with you today. The IRS is the largest bureau within the Treasury Department. It touches more citizens on a regular basis than any other agency in the federal...

The mad dash for the islands is on. No, it's not Houstonians seeking fun and sun. It's Houston corporations -- and others elsewhere -- seeking to pay less in taxes. They are making those moves despite snide comments about the patriotism of their executives and demagoguing from members of Congress. The islands we're talking about don't collect corporate income taxes from the companies that move there. And companies aren't really moving. They are simply setting up a paper headquarters in those tropical paradises. It's instructive to look at why they feel that move is necessary. For some of the more...

This is my second (recent) post on this subject, so it is just a reminder to send the front page of your 2002 tax booklet to your senior Senator. (Or you could send in the whole tax booklet, like I did, but it costs about $2.50.) Anyway, before you send your senator your little "gift," write "I want a 10% flat tax by 2004!" across the front of it. This should be a yearly occurrence until they get the idea that a 46,000-page tax code is no longer acceptable! And maybe getting tens of thousands of these will make them...

Well, I am almost finished with the most flagrant waste of my time--doing my Federal taxes. Just look at Schedule D to enter the worst nightmare of your tax-paying lives. For years, I have thought a flat rate would be best. The only deduction would be for charitable deductions, nothing else. Even Russia now has a flat rate tax of 13%! I think that's about 3% too high, but, hey, it's a step in the right direction. Anyway, last night I came up with a great idea that might help politicians realize that they have to do something to end...