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Request for Comments #3 (Benefits and problems with various tax reform proposals)
from Business Group
Back to List
| Posted: May 17, 2005 |
By: Kevin Moore |
Subject: OBEY THE CONSTITUTION
Comment: Our Founding Fathers knew a little something about taxes and taxation. Why are you wasting all this time and money asking for this and that.
How the Feds may tax is spelled out in the Constitution.
OBEY THE CONSTITUTION!
Article 1, Section. 8.
Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
Article I, Section. 9.
Clause 4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken. (See Note 7)
Kevin Moore
Tampa, Florida
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| Posted: May 18, 2005 |
By: Donna Patterson |
Subject: fair tax act
Comment: After hearing the testomonies I still am in support of the fair tax act, I don't feel that any of the others , including the flat tax, will promote economic growth as well. I have spoken to individuals at the National Retail Federation about why they oppose the fair tax act. I feel that their answer is worth mentioning. Because it is a consumption tax and when other countries have tried to implement a consumption tax they have ended up with both income and consumption taxes which devistated the economy. I don't think that they realize that the fair tax calls for repealing the constitutional amendment permiting income tax. But the point is worth making ,the fair tax has been carefully thought out for the last 10 years and need to be implemented with no alterations.
I could go on about all the benefits of HR25 but I believe that has been done. Just wanted to let you know that one more citizen and small retail business owner is in full support of the fair tax act and feel that it would be the best choice for this country.
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| Posted: May 20, 2005 |
By: Timothy J. Gillis |
Subject: Critique of . . . Income Tax - Flat Tax - FairTax - VAT - Mod. & Cons.Income Taxes
Comment: May 20, 2005
TO: President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
RE: Tax Reform Proposals / May 11th & 12th Advisory Panel Review. Comments submitted by us are pursuant to the Advisory Panel invitation for “Comments #3” on specific tax reform proposals that have come before the Panel.
Dear Advisory Panel Members:
Comments from our organization are provided here on the tax reform proposals submitted before you by others on May 11th and 12th, including . . .
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Modifications to the Current Income Tax
• Flat Tax
• National Retail Sales Tax
• Consumed Income Tax
We believe our analysis, critique, and perspective will compliment the Advisory Panel’s efforts toward a sound and stable federal tax system. Please review our contribution and advise if you have any questions.
Thank you again for your work and diligence, and for the opportunity to comment to you directly.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Gillis, Director
The RPUT Project
Maximus Profectus
858-492-9341
info@rput.com
Note: Attached submission in Word format on 5 pages, with Cover Page, Table of Contents, Intro and Summary Pages (9 pages total).
File: RPUT_Critique_of_Proposals.doc
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| Posted: May 20, 2005 |
By: McCoy Electrice Corporation |
Subject: FAIR TAX
File: LTTaxReformPanel050520.doc
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| Posted: May 20, 2005 |
By: The Tax Doctor |
Subject: The Fair Tax v. The other proposals
File: TaxDoctorLTTaxReformPanel050520.doc
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| Posted: May 20, 2005 |
By: Allen Mueller |
Subject: I am pro FairTax
Comment: The current tax code can't be fixed.
The FairTax eliminates the tax bias against work,savings and investment, would be a boon for export and attract foreign investment, and, make education cost less because it would not be subjected to taxation.
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| Posted: May 21, 2005 |
By: Sound Advice |
Subject: Real Tax Reform
Comment: I believe we have a unique window of opportunity to ennact true tax reform. For nearly a century we have manipulated an inherently flawed system for providing revenue to the federal government. I strongly favor the replacement of our current income based tax code with a consumption based tax. Specifically the Fair Tax proposal ( HR-25, S25 ) has been elegantly crafted to provide the most efficient and fair means of funding the federal government. Any other proposed system based on income, capital gains, etc. is a step sideways at best. The Fair Tax will unleash the U.S. ecomony to the betterment of ALL of it's citizens.
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| Posted: May 22, 2005 |
By: Paula N. Singer, Esq. |
Subject: Practical Considerations
File: Comment3.doc
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| Posted: May 25, 2005 |
By: Michael G Dickson |
Subject: Tinkering with the Tax Code
Comment: There is a problem with the Bush tax cut. It makes the tax code more complex. Over 50% of all income tax filers pay someone to prepare their tax return. That cost in itself is an additional tax.
There is a simple solution. A bi-partisan bill called the FairTax has been introduced in the 108th Congress by congressmen John Linder (R-GA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN). The FairTax replaces all individual and corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, self-employment taxes, capital gains taxes, estate and gift taxes with a single-rate national retail sales tax of 23%. This means that you would take home your entire paycheck – there would be no more withholding.
Critics of a national retail sales tax say that it is not fair to the poor because the poor must pay a larger percentage of their income to cover basic necessities. The FairTax bill answers this concern by including a monthly tax rebate that all families will receive. The amount of the rebate is based upon your family's size and what the government determines is the poverty level of income. Essentially, the rebate lowers the tax burden on families earning above the poverty line and eliminates the tax burden on families earning at or below the poverty line.
Another positive affect of the FairTax is that it removes the cost of hidden taxes from all products and services. Although businesses pay income taxes on paper, it is actually you and I who bear this burden through higher prices and lower wages. Harvard economist Dale Jorgenson estimates that hidden taxes may comprise anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the price of a product or service.
The FairTax presents a win-win situation. The only problem with it is that it makes too much sense.
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| Posted: May 26, 2005 |
By: Richard Bourgeois |
Subject: Payroll taxes
Comment: As a small business owner with 10 employees, when the FairTax is passed I will immediately increase our employees pay by an amount equal to the Payroll and Medicare taxes currently paid by our company. After all it’s their money anyway.
With all of our employees receiving an effective 15.3% increase in pay, (7.65% employee contribution and 7.65% employer contribution for SS and Medicare) that’s 2/3 of the proposed sales tax rate of 23% under the FairTax and all of our employees will be better off.
If all employers do this, as I expect they will, the real tax rate for the FairTax is only 7.7% for employees with income up to $90,000 and 20.1% on income over $90,000 because there is no cap on Medicare.
Richard R Bourgeois, President
Virtual Software Systems, Inc.
7715 Browns Bridge Rd
Gainesville, GA 30506
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| Posted: May 26, 2005 |
By: Wildcat Homes Inc. |
Subject: Fair Tax and real estate development, new home construction, and resale home sales.
Comment: I have not seen a better explanation of how the Fair Tax will help the real estate industry, than this attached letter. I develop raw land into residential lots, and commercial lots. I build new homes and commercial buildings. I sell previously owned homes. I am 100% behind the Fair Tax proposal. Come on, let's throw the politics aside, and do what makes sense. Our politicians can make a good name for themselves, and shed some of the labels used on them, if they would put partisanship aside, and support the Fair Tax proposal. Letter attached...
File: FairTaxexplanationforRealtors0.pdf
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| Posted: May 26, 2005 |
By: Micro Business Systems, Inc. |
Subject: Entrepreneurs / Small Business and FairTax
File: TaxPanelMBSLetter.doc
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| Posted: May 29, 2005 |
By: William Prouty, MBA PhD |
Subject: National Retail Sales Tax (NRST)
Comment: The economic condition has be negatively impacted by the current Marxian formatted progress income tax system. Even with all the "tax advantaged" programs, like HSA, 401k, etc. the current tax code creates substantial barriers for economic-investment and savings growth. The current system also imbeds significant costs, up to 40% into the cost of goods. The NRST will remove these burdens and dramatically improve economic development. A NRST tax system will result in lower cost of goods and services which will benefit all citizen. Personnally, the NRST tax system will increase my personal burdens but over a short period of the 2-4 years will open up greater business revenue opportunities which will benefit me and the employees of our nine organizations.
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| Posted: May 30, 2005 |
By: Ty Hardison |
Subject: Tax Reform Comments
Comment: My company works with a diverse mix of 4,000 retail, restaurant and professional businesses to accept payment from their customers. This gives us a unique opportunity to share a common perspective - that the current tax system is a burden that limits growth.
Small businesses will be the first to tell you that companies don't pay taxes, people do. Business owners pass their tax bill along to their customers just as they do all their other expenses required to service their customers (customers pay the embedded tax in the form of higher prices). Then there is the example of the small businesses which does not pass their tax bill along in the customer price because if they do they couldn’t compete with large corporate giants and foreign competitors not burdened by the same tax laws or who have the resources to avoid the tax. When this happens our country loses because job creation is stifled. Figuring out how to negotiate loopholes, securing the necessary expertise and the shear man hours required to remain in compliance with an array of small business tax (and the personal tax of the small business owner) steals creative productivity and the incentive to hire and take risks - important requirements for driving the entrepreneurial spirit that is the back bone of our economy and national security.
None of these businesses have a problem collecting sales tax. A national sales tax that eliminates all other tax burdens would be a revolutionary shift that is simply a more intelligent way to fund government. The 21st century global competition demands we take immediate steps to pass the FairTax. The FairTax will grow the economy, increase savings and investment, create jobs and speed innovation, result in a larger tax base and secure for new generations the opportunity at the American dream.
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| Posted: Jun 01, 2005 |
By: Mark A. Pearson |
Subject: Residential Real Estate Management
Comment: Mark A. Pearson, M.A.
777 E. Haney Road
Carbondale, IL 62901
Mr. Chairmen and Panel Members:
As a relatively successful individual I have been essentially forced by the myriad rules and
regulations of the U.S. Tax code to have a business. The bizarre Byzantine rules of the tax code
necessitate having some type of business -- other than my primary employ ot "protect" some of the
income I manage to garner. I have chosen to purchase and manage several rental units/homes.
While I enjoy many aspects of my part time business, the countless hours in file management and
tax preparation seem a terribly high price to pay for the privilege of paying taxes. The current system
encourages me to make day to day business decisions, such as borrowing money rather than using
available capital, repairing rather than upgrading/remodeling a property, which I might otherwise make
differently if I was attempting to maximize my return on each property rather than offset money earned
in other endeavors.
So many of the 55,000 pages full of rules seem completely arbitrary, designed obviously not to
promote productivity (which all governmental policies should do), but to reward a select population of
constituents of some congressperson. (In all likelihood one who is no longer in congress, maybe not
even living, but the UnAmerican legacy of Income Taxes lives on). Each year trying to accurately and
appropriately all the forms and formulas required to just complete the process is nerve wracking and
extremely wasteful of time and energies. Knowing that even the "experts" at the IRS given identical
situation "get it wrong" about half the time, leaves me perpetually concerned as to my choice of guiding
instructions and directives.
As you know, the Founders for the most part were small businessmen and coming from that mindset,
they specifically prohibited income taxes as it is damaging to production and productivity. As, I believe,
a Supreme Court Justice long ago opined, "the power to tax is the power to destroy." The current
system clearly destroys many things including productivity, entrepenurialship and individual initiative. It
also creates fear of the IRS. For example, I have kept my business small enough to do all things
more-or-less myself. If there were no Income Tax and the withholding it entails (and the rules and
regulations waiting to trip up the small businessman), I would have at least one employee full time and
periodically would probably create multiple jobs for certain projects which now either languish or are
just not created.
The FairTax (Currently HR 25/S.25), which I have studied extensively and, I know, you have been thoroughly
briefed on, would allow me to expand my business, create and complete more and more housing in the local
market, hire employees and allow me to do so without having to fear the IRS for some error of omission or
commission by myself or an employee in withholding/record keeping otherwise not related to the business endeavor
of Residential Property Ownership/Management.
As most Americans I do not object to paying for the services of Government, I do object to the unconscionable (and
until the 16th Amendment, Unconstitutional) Income Tax. Whatever Tax System we adopt it should not attempt to
micromanage the lives and thinking of citizens to the point they distort day to day and business decisions.
I appreciate this opportunity to present some of my specific concerns regarding the current system and my support for
the FairTax.
Respectfully,
Mark A. Pearson, M.Ay aspects of my part time business, the countless hours in file management and tax preparation seem a terribly high price to pay for the privilage of paying taxe
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| Posted: Jun 02, 2005 |
By: Roger Alley |
Subject: FairTax Proposal
File: THIRDREQUESTFORCOMMENTSBYTHETAXREFORMPANELRE.doc
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| Posted: Jun 03, 2005 |
By: Plastics Design and Manufacturing |
Subject: National Sales Tax
Comment: Dear Sir;
I am sure you are aware of the assault on our manufacturing base, and the loss of the high paying jobs associated with that type of work. Many people say we are transitioning to a knowledge based economy, but that is already being outsourced to India. It is my assessment that we must stop the erosion of our manufacturing base.
Without a world class manufacturing base we will have second class defenses, substandard service jobs, and not enough knowledge work to go around.
There are three categories of problems facing domestic manufacturers that our foreign competitors face to a much lesser degree; government regulation, costs of labor, and taxes. This is the three legged stool upon which our global competition stands.
Costs of labor are continually being addressed through productivity gains, and we have the most productive private workforce in the world. Reducing the regulatory burden on business should be a priority for our National, State and Local leaders.
The third leg of the stool is taxes. I am sure by now that you have read or heard the statistic that between 200 and 500 Billion Dollars is spent annually complying with our dizzying tax code. With this kind of money at stake businesses are spending too much time planning their taxes when they should be concentrating on expanding their business, increasing profitability and providing a return to their shareholders.
Rather than fight the good fight many corporations have simply chosen to outsource their production to the least cost local (China). Now, they too can stand on the tool. However, America looses! We loose the tax base, the employee looses his ability to support his family, and if this continues the long term affects will be very destructive to our society.
Two obvious consequences of our income based tax system are reduced incomes, and a savings rate well below other developed nations. The hidden costs of this tax system are myriad. Many citizens have become cynical of the government because of the loopholes, favoritism, and cronyism created by our present tax structure. What is the cost of not caring about your country? What is the cost having millions of people who don’t engage in the American dream?
You have a historic opportunity to change the way we tax ourselves and the improve the ability of millions to once again achieve prosperity. You can recommend to scrap the current system that pits Americans against their government in an adversarial battle over our money. You can make it easier for us to pay our taxes. You can create a system that is above board and encourages savings, investment, and good job creation.
You can recommend the FairTax!
This national consumption tax is simple, easily understood, easily complied with, encourages savings, investment and will bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans.
The FairTax will create a tax system that will make our manufacturers competitive in the global marketplace we now live by taxing all goods sold in U.S. the same regardless of their origin. It will help level the playing field for domestic manufacturers, and it will bring manufacturers back to the United States.
The FairTax will pull one leg off that stool and give the American worker a chance to compete in the global market again, earn a good wage, feed his family, and retain his dignity.
The FairTax will motivate millions to once again pursue the “American Dream”
I encourage you to recommend the FairTax to President Bush.
Sincerely,
James Reedy
Plastics Design and Manufacturing
(330) 335-4736
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| Posted: Jun 03, 2005 |
By: Rubingh's Dairyland |
Subject: Save the Family Farm
Comment: Save the Family Farm–Pass the FairTax
I am concerned about the trend that is happening with farm size. I have seen many articles describing the demise of the family farm. The farms keep getting bigger and the small ones go out of business and get sold. There are seldom very many reasons given as to why the small farms are becoming extinct. One reason given is that the larger farms are more efficient. While that may be a part of the reason, I believe that the current tax system has a much greater impact on the family farm than any other single factor. Let me explain.
In any business including a farm, the most likely ones to remain in operation are those that are making a profit. With farming, there is a lot of fluctuation in income. Prices fluctuate and the weather changes, affecting the yield and therefore the profit. Let me present a scenario: One year the crops are poor and prices are down. The farmer does not make a profit. He still has to buy the inputs - seed, fertilizer, supplies, etc. He still has to hire the tax consultant and do all the paperwork and tax management. This farmer will be depressed and not have the desire to continue. The next year the farmer has excellent crop yields and the prices are good. The inputs are about the same price as the year before. However, this time the tax consultant figures out his tax costs and finds out that of the last dollar earned, the farmer must pay 54% of it in the various taxes including: 15% Social Security, 30% Federal income tax, 4% state income tax, and 3.5% PA 116 property tax. The farmer then asks himself why he is working so hard if over half of the income goes to the government.
Now the farmer does have some alternatives in the current system to paying all those taxes. If he gives extra money to charity, then the tax rate is reduced by 34%, but the social security tax still must be paid - (charitable contributions are not even fully tax deductible!). Another option the farmer has is to build a barn or buy a piece of equipment. The farmer often goes this route even though the capital item is not needed to be more efficient. Usually after the capital item is bought, more land or more animals are needed in order to either help pay for or utilize the new asset. Therefore, in many cases as in the one described, the current tax system “forced” the farmer to get bigger and buy out a neighbor's family farm.
A similar scenario would be the farmer who borrows money to become more efficient, and then when the depreciation runs out (usually about the same time that the majority of the loan is paid back and therefore the interest payments are reduced), suddenly there is a profit shown on the income tax forms. Then the farmer must either pay a large tax bill or borrow more money and expand. This often puts the farmer past his most efficient size or his best capability.
Now comes the FairTax. The FairTax would give the farmer full control of how he spends his money. If there is no profit one year, then the prebate from the government would supplement the business and keep it going a while longer. But more important, if there is a profit, the farmer would pay no tax on that profit. He would only have to pay tax if he uses the money for personal expenditures such as new furniture, a new car, or other new goods or services. This means that the farmer would purchase new inputs only if they would benefit the business. That would be much more beneficial for both the farmer and for the economy.
The farmer would then probably spend more of his profit on goods and services to his own enjoyment and less on expanding the business for the sake of reducing taxes. The FairTax is by far the best tax reform solution to preserving the family farm.
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| Posted: Jun 04, 2005 |
By: Thomas Fazio |
Subject: taxes
Comment: I think the present taxing system is unfair to the american people,It favores the wealthy and big buisness.A flat tax or a national sales tax would be better.On a sales tax the poor who do not pay taxes would keep their sales slips and send in at years end to I R S and would be refunded. also I would hope the sales tax would not include precription drugs and medical.Hope you would consider not taxing food also.I think the american public is getting fed up seeing the big corperations and the rich getting the best tax breaks or paying the smallest percentage or no taxes at all.this is the U S A and it should be the same for all.
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| Posted: Jun 05, 2005 |
By: steve hasbrouck,the muffler emporium |
Subject: elimination of the irs. creation of national sales tax.
Comment: elimination of income tax would free up the consumers entire paycheck for purchases.
elimination of corporate and business taxes would allow companies to operate at
a profit allowing for higher wages and creation of new jobs.
eventually bringing jobs back from other countries.
thank you,
steve hasbrouck
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| Posted: Jun 05, 2005 |
By: Roger W. Buchholtz |
Subject: Meaningful and Lasting Tax Reform
Comment: Today I enjoy a 23% advantage over American companies I compete against. I import industrial commodoties crom China and other foreign sources and sell them to US heavy industry such as the steel industry. Because there is no mechanism to remove businesses taxes from goods and services produced in the US, this tax cost is added to the prices of US produced goods and services and today averages 23% of the retail price of US produced goods and services.
This is good for my import business as my products don't have much, if any, taxes embedded in my prices, so I can usually beat the price of my US competition. Although this is good for me in the short run, it is not good for my fellow Americans whom are losing their jobs and no longer contributing to our society or to our tax revenues.
A value added tax (VAT) will solve this international competitiveness issue, however it is administratively inefficient and will have a significant compliance cost that will in turn be passed on in the prices of everything produced in the US. It is also a hidden tax which is unhealthy for our liberty and economic freedom. All taxes should be visable to the public if we are to be in control of our government. If citizens can see what they are paying for government then they have an opportunity to control the government. This is necessary if we are to be free.
The ideal solution is a tax proposal known as the FairTax (HR 25/S 25). The FairTax eliminates the business income taxes and payroll taxes and will result in a ~23% decrease in the cost of US produced goods and services. This will eliminate the competitive advantage of my imported goods that I enjoy today and likely put my company out of business. This will be a small price to pay for the benefit of my country and American posterity.
Below is a short article that I wrote for the media that outlines other key reasons why the FairTax is the only real Tax reform alternative.
REAL TAX REFORM, TO BE OR NOT TO BE
There is little doubt that legislation will be passed that will be called tax reform. The real question is whether the legislation will provide substantial and lasting tax reform or just some tinkering or transient tax reform.
Without REAL tax reform we will continue to lose our ability to compete in the international market place, resulting in the continued loss our productive capacity and standard of living, and eventually, erosion of our ability to defend ourselves militarily.
Tinkering with the current tax code is not a solution to our tax code problems and the impact of these problems on our economy and country. For reasons pointed out below, a flat income tax is politically unacceptable and, at best, only a partial and temporary solution. A value added tax (VAT) system will only add to the complexity of our tax code, add to the compliance cost of businesses and result in increased prices. The only complete and permanent solution is a particular national retail sales tax proposal known as the FairTax. The FairTax Bill is currently before the US House of Representatives and Senate as HR 25 and S 25, respectively. The FairTax replaces all income taxes as well as Social Security, Medicare, gift and death taxes with a simple retail sales tax.
The FairTax is the only real tax reform alternative for four major reasons:
1) Harvard Economist, Dr. Dale Jorgensen conducted a study that found that an average of 22% of the retail price of all goods and 25% of the retail price of all services produced in the US is the cost of business income and payroll taxes required by the current tax code. The combined average of this hidden tax included in goods and services is in excess of 23%. Like the cost of utilities, raw materials, etc., the cost of taxes are passed on to the consumer. With a flat income tax these hidden taxes will continue to be included in the prices of U.S. produced goods and services. The result is that American-produced goods and services will continue to suffer this 23% competitive disadvantage, and our balance of payments and trade will continue to worsen as America loses jobs. The FairTax removes this hidden tax from the price of American-produced goods and services resulting in an influx of companies and Jobs to the US.
2) A flat income tax, even with a low income exemption, doesn’t adequately protect the poor because it leaves in place the very regressive Social Security and Medicare taxes as well as the 23% hidden tax that is included in the price of everything we buy. The FairTax provides a monthly check to every household, based simply on the number of Social Security cardholders residing there, in the amount that the sales tax would be on purchases up to the poverty level. In essence, it untaxes the poor and causes the sales tax to be progressive (tax rate increases as expenditures increase) as expenditures above the poverty level increase.
3) A flat income tax will reduce tax compliance/paperwork cost only slightly. A conservative estimate of the compliance cost of the current tax code is $250 billion annually. Estimated compliance cost of a flat income tax is ~$150 billion annually. Compliance cost for the FairTax is $12 billion annually (including the cost of issuing the rebate checks that protect the poor and cause the FairTax to be much more progressive than the current code.)
4) A simple flat income tax will remain neither simple nor flat for very long. The current code is a flat tax on income 90 years later. Since the Reagan tax-flattening legislation of 1986, there have been over 10,000 changes to the code and the addition of tax brackets. As long as we leave the income tax-related institutions in place, any flattening and/or simplification of the tax code will be very temporary.
In our attempt to reform the tax code, if we decide to tinker with the current tax code, adopt a VAT or a flat income tax, or adopt a sales tax that doesn't include revenue for Social Security and Medicare, we will have lost the opportunity for REAL and lasting tax reform for at least a generation, and risk our economic viability and national security.
There is no greater legacy for us to leave our country and posterity than to replace the current incomprehensible, loophole-riddled, inefficient, intrusive, and coercive income tax with a simple, fair, efficient, un-intrusive, and voluntary tax system intended by our Founding Fathers, such as the FairTax. Just think, NO MORE TAX RETURNS!!!
To learn more about the FairTax Bill and the $23 million in research behind it go to www.fairtax.org or call 1 (800) 324-7829.
Roger Buchholtz,
President, Orient American Ore Co.
5620 Clato St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49004
Phone/fax: 269 345-0950
Cell: 586 530-3298
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| Posted: Jun 06, 2005 |
By: Charles Blanchard Construction Corporation |
Subject: Fair Tax is the best answer.
Comment: The fair tax bill 25 is the best option for real tax reform.
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| Posted: Jun 06, 2005 |
By: harry allen |
Subject: Please Support Fair Tax
Comment: As you continue to work toward simplifying our burdonsum tax laws I wish to put my support behind the National Sale Tax plan, or as it is commonly known as the Fair Tax Plan. The 16th Amendment must be abolished in order for the Fair Tax to work. I know that many politicans like the ability to pit one part of society against another (for vote getting purposes) but this should not be the case for HONEST elected officials. The fair tax plan has been studied by many more learned than me and have conclude that the fair tax will greatly enhance economic growth.
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| Posted: Jun 06, 2005 |
By: Al Ose |
Subject: tax replacement
Comment: Monday, June 06, 2005
Dear Mr. Cavuto:
Would you please tell the president that America has the political will to replace our current tax system with the FairTax? The FairTax is a National Retail Sales Tax with a rebate that ensures the poor pay zero taxes. It is a progressive tax in that as you buy more you pay more taxes. There are no exemptions, exceptions, and no loopholes.
Ask him to support and push forward The FairTax Act of 2005. It is H. R. 25 in the House and S. 25 in the Senate. The FairTax is revenue neutral and will fix the problems with Social Security and Medicare.
I am the sole proprietor of a small business who has been promised tax reform for decades. Revision does not help, we need replacement. The FairTax replaces the income, payroll, corporate, gift, estate, capital gains, AMT and self-employment taxes with a national retail sales tax. One tax at the point of purchase by the final consumer is what we need. It is clear, concise, and simple. Research shows that we are already paying the same amount as the FairTax in hidden corporate and payroll taxes. That means that the prices of domestically made products will not increase.
Best regards, Al Ose
Ose Enterprises
3311 Enchanted Drive
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
715-424-4383
o3se@wctc.net
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| Posted: Jun 06, 2005 |
By: Casa Malpais RV Park |
Subject: Fair Tax Act
Comment: I support HR-25. Payroll taxes for a small business on a very limited budget is a pain in the neck every money with runs to the bank to make deposits, etc. Also, at year end, all the records that have had be kept are dragged out and I usually end up paying more in compliance costs that I do in tax. This is all passed on to my customers, of course. But, why do we want a tax that cost more to pay it than the tax itself and make businesses even more uncompetitive than they are?
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| Posted: Jun 07, 2005 |
By: Bill Fry |
Subject: Tax Reform
Comment: End all IRS abuse with the Fair Tax
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| Posted: Jun 07, 2005 |
By: joyce hatley |
Subject: hr25
Comment: I am writing in support of the Fair Tax Plan. I hope you will help get this plan passed. It is fair and simple and it is the best plan I have seen. Thank you. Joyce
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| Posted: Jun 07, 2005 |
By: Lloyd Stouder II |
Subject: Fair Tax
File: Lettertopanelontaxreform672005.doc
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| Posted: Jun 07, 2005 |
By: Amy Nason |
Subject: Fair Tax
Comment: If Pres. Bush would seriously considered the Fair Tax proposal, he would see that it is the answer to so many of the problems facing this country today - inequities in the tax system, jeopardy of the Social Security, loss of American jobs overseas, balance of payments deficit, budget deficit, state of the economy, etc., etc. Why is the obvious so hard to see?
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| Posted: Jun 08, 2005 |
By: Bozeman Granite Works |
Subject: FairTax
File: fairtax_1.doc
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| Posted: Jun 08, 2005 |
By: Gideon Jones |
Subject: Abolish the IRS
Comment: Sirs:
Immediate Action to abolish the IRS and the federal Reserve System is the most pressing need facing the United States in the last 100 years. I strongly suggest that a one percent National Sales Tax be substituted which will produce Three Trillion Dollars per year the first year and because the Economy will surge forward like a bull out of the Chute perhaps twice that in the second and third year. This is enough from this income source and the Government has other sources. We are dedicated to reducing the size of Government are we not? The Healthy economy which will result will fix many problems like making health care afforable and will make people less dependent on Social Security.
Indivual Savings will skyrocket when interest on savings are not taxed.
You have never had such a huge opportunity
to do what is Right, Fair,and Wise before.
Respectfully
Gideon Jones
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| Posted: Jun 08, 2005 |
By: Scott Kerber |
Subject: Fair tax reform
Comment: I want to see S/HR 25 on the front burner. Political maneuverings aside, I would like to see substantial tax reform. Streamlining Federal tax policy would be a major boost for small and global business alike. Then Bush can find funding for his social security privatization initiative.
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| Posted: Jun 08, 2005 |
By: Paul Wassenaar |
Subject: Consumption Tax for the Next Century- Tax Base of Natural Resources and Environment
Comment: The only way that a Consumption Tax will be approved by Congress is to recognize its transformative power.
You probably recognize that the greatest value of a consumption tax where consumers would pay a 13% to 14% value-added tax on their purchases would be to establish a mechanism to use the tax system of the US and, by example, the rest of the world to include in the tax base the specific value added from the contribution of specific components of the US’s and the world’s natural resources and environments. The revenue collected from the value added from the specific components of the US’s and the world’s natural resources and environments (currently taxed not at all or not uniformly through out the world) could be then used to enhance the value of the specific components of the US’s and the world’s natural resources so that they could make greater contributions to sustainable consumption. . Rather than an ad hoc localized US and world taxation system for natural resources based on principles of a century or more ago, the consumption tax administrative mechanism could then be used to regulate and enhance specific components of the US’s and the world’s natural resources for sustainable development.
Examples are many but fish farming is in the news. The tax could be applied to the determined or imputed value added to all fish by the ocean to grow and harvest the fish whether from a farm in the ocean, a natural farm of the US ocean or a natural farm in the international ocean. The thought, analysis, discussion, valuation, collection and spending policy become inspiringly positive and productive.
Would not the old adage of “The power to tax is the power to regulate” be attractive enough to appeal to both parties?
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| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders |
Subject: potential benefits of various tax reform proposals
File: N__NAAHL_LIHTC_2005_61005comments3.pdf
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| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: Mike Wacker |
Subject: Tax reform benefits to small buss. and real estate
Comment: Attached is input you requested on replacing the income tax.
-Mike Wacker, Realtor, CFIC
File: PresidentialPanel.doc
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| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: Adam L. Yoder |
Subject: The FairTax is the solution to our Nation's tax problem!
Comment: The FairTax is the best solution to solve our great Nation's tax problem. Shifting the burden of the taxpayer to a consumption tax would encourage people to invest and save, something that the President has been promoting for awhile now. This would ease the burden of social security welfare programs for responsible citizens and decrease total expenditures in this area.
As a business owner, I find it encouraging that taxes would stop being assessed on income and that I would not have tax to imbed into the price of my goods sold. Although I have no employees at this point, I would be more likely to hire as I grow because I would not have the headaches and expenses of withholding.
To allay fears that have been expressed by the panel and/ or critics before, I would like to point out the following:
-1. Studies have shown that the FairTax is revenue neutral. Tom Wright of Americans for Fair Taxation should have provided data to the panel to substantiate this claim.
-2. Implementation should be welcome to the states because it simplifies every citizens tax compliance responsibilities and the 1/4% "processing fee" that the state keeps for collecting the taxes can be considered a substantial revenue stream. (If they do not think it is significant, then I will be happy to have 1/4% of the total federal tax revenue of my state).
-3. There have also been concerns that the FairTax would create a large black market. While I share this concern, I am certain that it is no larger than the combination of drug traffic, illegal gaming income, unreported income, and tax evasion that we currently see in our system. Since all of these are currently tax free in effect, these offenders would still be taxed under the new FairTax system. Also, since the number of tax filers would drop by 90%, this would allow the collectors and enforcers of the new and improved tax code to police offenders more effectively (as everyone would not be viewed as a potential offender under the FairTax).
-4. Finally, there has been concern over the "fairness" of the FairTax because it taxes consumption. The tired argument is that the FairTax taxes those with the lowest incomes the most, proportionally speaking. Unfortunately, this is ploy by proponents of other systems to misrepresent the FairTax. The FairTax includes a provision for a "prebate" that would exempt taxes on necessary items by providing an allowance for the tax on those items before the purchaser would even have to make the purchase. This is entirely fair, yet it maintains that those who purchase items that are luxuries (alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, lottery tickets, movie tickets, etc.) would be paying the tax for those items. Those who invest and save would not be penalized for choosing to do so and would be rewarding themselves and the country. But, most importantly, the choice is theirs, not someone elses!
Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments to the Panel! Best wishes as you continue to prepare your report for the President. Remember, the FairTax (HR25/ S25) is the best alternative for our country's future!
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| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: FRANK REGINALD WALL |
Subject: FINAL WORD
Comment: The Honorable PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
-- [c/o] --
The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
1440 New York Avenue NW
Suite 2100
Washington, DC 20220
ATHOL, IDAHO -10 June 2005- 12:20 p.m. PST
FINAL WORD
—
the Presidential Tax Reform Commission
Carcasses, Legacies & ‘Running on empty’…
There’s going to be a whole lot of spiel on fundamental tax reform being “revenue neutral” which opens up a whole bag of worms for the pundits and parasitic, income tax counter-culture to use the destructive, mainstream media as a forum to continue brainwashing the American public… carcasses all of them, food for their worms.
I believe (and sincerely hope and pray) our President makes all the hard decisions.
President Bush says he believes his job is to LEAD, not to be popular. Legacies are found on not-so-popular leaders who did that which needed doing for their time… Graveyards of history are strewn with carcasses, popular during their time but worm-bait waiting for their day of judgment. – Carcasses greatly outnumber Legacies.
Passage of the Fair Tax Act (S/H.R.25 – this Session of Congress) is a simple matter. Complexities arise because of the Neville Chamberlains of our day… fools all of them. Not assuring substantive, fundamental tax reform today is to invite the soon demise of our America—encompassing every factor in our economic and national security: Trade Balance, National Debt, Social Security, Economic Vitality, Personal Freedom…
Undeviating Integrity—
The United States of America’s future rests in the hands of a few. God help us, as they surely won’t. Congress is full of politically-motivated, near-sighted, full-of-self lawyers, believing them-selves to be lawmakers. Where is honor; where is justice?
Undeviating Integrity Is Only Safe Course. — It may be a difficult matter for men in high positions to pursue the path of undeviating integrity whether they shall receive praise or censure. Yet this is the only safe course. All the rewards which they might gain by selling their honor would be only as the breath from polluted lips, as dross to be consumed in the fire. Those who have moral courage to stand in opposition to the vices and errors of their fellow men—it may be of those whom the world honor—will receive hatred, insult and abusive falsehood. They may be thrust down from their high position, because they would not be bought or sold, because they could not be induced by bribes or threats to stain their hands with iniquity. Everything on earth may seem to conspire against them: but God has set His seal upon His own work. They may be regarded by their fellow men as weak, unmanly, unfit to hold office; but how differently does the Most High regard them. Those who despise them are the really ignorant. While the storms of calumny and reviling may pursue the man of integrity through life, and beat upon his grave, God has the “well done” prepared for him. Folly and iniquity will at best yield a life of unrest and discontent, and at its close a thorny dying pillow. And how many, as they view their course of action and its results, are led to end with their own hands their disgraceful career. And beyond all this waits the judgment, and the final, irrevocable doom, Depart (ST Feb. 2, 1882)! —
The income tax is a ‘Carcass in waiting’…
Don’t believe for one minute that the income tax will stand forever. Its demise is around the corner: A fool’s folly to ensnare our economy in order to enrich a few, aggrandize the powerful and then spoil the relative productivity of a great nation. Incumbent to the income tax scheme is “bracket creep.” This insidious mechanism has broken homes by forcing homemakers—mothers to work rather than attend to their high-calling. This displacement of home and hearth has eroded the American family sanctity and undermined the overall character of our nation. — Women are forced by station and circumstance to perform menial tasks and leave the raising of their children to strangers. How stupid can we allow ourselves to become! Income tax is perpetuated by the Bracket Creeps in Congress who live by their own rules.
Thankfully, the income tax, and if enacted, the flat income tax (by whatever form) eventually collapses under its own mass, volume and sheer weight in intentionally confusing and ambiguous verbiage and contradictions… Hopefully, this collapse of the Internal Revenue Service and income tax (IT) revenue system does not take rest of the country down with IT. If all or most of Congress is “tarred and feathered” and “run out of town on a rail” so be it. – My bucket of tar and my rough-hewn rail is ready and gleefully waiting for these irresponsible, outrageous malfeasants. – I’ve personally visited every member of Congress and know whereof I speak this day.
The Legacy of Integrity and Honor…
We the People — Constitutionally-based sovereign citizens in and of the United States of America — “the land of the free and home of the brave” — have allowed our leadership to espouse and nurture a cruel, inequitable, ambiguous federal (revenue) tax system. — I know first-hand whereof I speak: our nation is strewn with hopeless individuals whose lives have been wrecked by “our” Congress and the income tax.
Be sure that Judgment Day has special provisions for those who abused their posts, so-called “powerful” senators and congressman who stole the lives and livelihood of productive Americans to give to others, even strangers “outside our gates” for their personal position and gain. – I know first-hand whereof I speak. — The nation is on limited, borrowed time as a preeminent “super-power” on its present course. Many citizens have closed their businesses because of the IRS and the income tax. Many refused to be “tax collectors” for the government with all inherent legal or logistical pitfalls. -- Trillions of man-hours, equating to productive lives have been wasted.
And we worry about “revenue neutral.” -- President Reagan implemented the Tax Reform Act of 1986 – supposedly a “four-tier” flat tax system. A one-tier flat income tax might start off as “politically correct” but its demise will be brutal. As Reagan’s Tax Reform Act, or original federal income tax, the flat tax will escalate over time.
Running on Empty…
That’s Us — We the People — The intrusive federal income tax and its little sisters, the corresponding state income taxes take away every aspect of sovereign privacy and proprietorship. — As stated earlier, a fairly recent invention, the deceptive, and with-holding of income scheme (withholding tax) is robbing incubator and start-ups in our national commerce — is denying small businesses of valuable resource. We’re running on empty—the national news media has given us warm and fuzzy blinders.
There is everything fundamental wrong in a tax system—the income tax—that induces ordinary, hard-working, productive and basically honest American citizens to allegedly “lie and cheat” in order to keep what is rightfully theirs in the first place: What’s rightfully ours? Individually, hard-earned wages or proprietary income — the fruits of creativity, fortune and industry—is ours.
The income tax is a predatory system…
Our nation prospers in spite of the income tax — federal/states’ revenue system, not because of it. We are calling for “revenue neutral” when we should be seeking “revenue transparent” both income and disbursement.
— “The current tax code is a daily mugging.” — Ronald Reagan
The only true goal of the President’s tax reform commission
— Get rid of IT … the income tax and IRS forever and ever.
The only goal the Presidential Tax Reform Panel should have is to get rid of IT — the income tax and immediately (not piecemeal) replace IT with a national retail sales tax, the Fair Tax. -- Anything less (or different) will lead to our inevitable ruin.
Cease & Desist the income tax forever…
1. The national debt will be reduced
2. The trade deficit will be reduced
3. The “underground economy” will be reduced
4. The nation’s productivity will be increased
5. The real priorities will become our focus
Respectfully submitted to President George W. Bush
FRANK REGINALD WALL
Athol, Idaho ~ United States of America
Copyright © 2005, by Frank R. Wall
-- All Rights Reserved (UCC, et al.) –
-30-
Cc: Tax Reform Groups, Networks & Internet Groups nationwide, et al
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| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: Alf Temme |
Subject: Universal Tax
File: 3rdRequest.doc
|
| Posted: Jun 10, 2005 |
By: Alf temme |
Subject: Universal Tax
Comment: Please review for consideration for presentation to the members of the Advisory Panel. Preferably to be reviewed by Ms.Altshuler.
File: 3rdRequest1.doc
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| Posted: Jun 11, 2005 |
By: Novogradac & Company LLP |
Subject: Importance of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
Comment: The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
1440 New York Avenue NW
Suite 2100
Washington, DC 20220
Subject: Request for Comments #3
Business Submission
June 8, 2005
Dear Chairman Mack, Chairman Breaux, and members of the panel,
I am writing in support of the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) that could be jeopardized by certain tax reform proposals.
The LIHTC program was created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 as an alternative method of funding housing for low- and moderate-income households. Today, that program is widely regarded as the nation’s most successful housing production program and has resulted in the construction or rehabilitation of more than 1.3 million housing units for lower-income households.
In addition to producing housing, the LIHTC is unmatched in its contribution to the renewal of distressed neighborhoods and communities throughout the United States. LIHTC properties are often the first investments in a revitalization strategy and the credit is instrumental in catalyzing public/private and community partnerships in efforts that can lead to blight reduction, home ownership increases, and retail and business development expansions.
The construction of housing also creates jobs. It is estimated that building 100 units of affordable housing generates 112 local jobs during the first year of construction and 46 jobs every year thereafter.
Directing capital to affordable housing through tax incentives creates net economic efficiencies because the housing credit is more effective than any direct spending program can be in marshaling private sector capital and setting up competition between developers for credit allocations and among corporations for access to investment opportunities.
We urge you to protect the LIHTC in any tax reform actions undertaken because we as a nation will continue to face a serious affordable housing shortage that must be addressed to ensure that our most vulnerable families have access to quality, affordable housing and safe neighborhoods.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Novogradac & Company LLP
by Michael J. Novogradac
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| Posted: Jun 11, 2005 |
By: Timothy J. Gillis |
Subject: Rebuttal to Congressman Linder’s 6/10/05 FairTax Comments
Comment: TO: President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
RE: Congressman John Linder’s 06/08/05 Letter to the President’s Advisory Panel providing expanded explanation of the FairTax [H.R. 25 in the House; S 25 in the Senate]. Posted 6/10/05 as "Answers to Questions about the FairTax."
Dear Advisory Panel Members:
The good Congressman from Georgia provides operational explanations in his letter where the FairTax could be summarized as . . .
* providing a more efficient yet simpler mechanism of federal revenue acquisition than the income tax, Flat Tax, or VAT.
* functioning -- all elements considered -- as a more progressive tax than the income tax.
* bringing the U.S. up to par with other OECD countries who already have national consumption taxes. The FairTax is superior to the VAT because of visibility, simplicity, efficiency and unison with existing state tax systems.
The points above may be true in isolation, but here is why they are not a valid justification for a national sales tax:
1. Mere operational efficiency – that the FairTax is less cumbersome than the income tax – is no justification for subjugation of citizens and arbitrary seizure of their assets. Citizens should not have their money seized merely because they want to benefit from (spend) what they have earned. Like the income tax and VAT, the FairTax operates for the convenience of the state -- assessment is not related to native liability and the actual cost of government at the individual taxpayer level. And even if operational efficiency of a national sales tax is less onerous than the income tax or VAT, that does not mean it is a good tax system. There are still the issues of inhibition to free trade, attack on the division of labor, penalty on innovation, double taxation of retiree savings, discrimination on American commerce, manufacturing use-tax application, out-of-country tax avoidance, massive and costly rebate schemes, inducement toward evasion, black markets, and systemic forced redistribution.
2. The greatest misnomer in economic history is the term “progressive,” where assets are increasingly seized from citizens who produced them -- merely because the assets are produced or spent. The claim of the FairTax as more “progressive” than the income tax is not an attribute. Systemic, collectivized seizure of citizen assets through the tax code -- merely because people earn or benefit (spend what they earn) -- should not be the basis of a tax system in a country that is supposed to stand for liberty. The type and level of government spending, including any aid and subsidy, is determined by Congress, but the cost of government (the budget) is a finite amount which should be applied objectively against the tax base.
3. Other countries are not “way ahead” of us because they already have consumption taxes. Let the neo-socialist countries of Europe and elsewhere keep their social engineering schemes and convoluted tax mechanisms. The United States should be moving toward increased protection of individual liberty and a stable and objective tax system related to the actual cost of government.
For further analysis see “Request for Comments #3 (Benefits and problems with various tax reform proposals)” at the Business section, then select the third item: “Critique of . . . Income Tax - Flat Tax - FairTax - VAT - Mod. & Cons.Income”.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Gillis, Director
The RPUT Project
Maximus Profectus
info@rput.com
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| Posted: Jun 11, 2005 |
By: Effective Software Solutions, LLC |
Subject: Some Unique Information for Supporting the FairTax
Comment: First, due to an unexpected family member's passing, this week, I submit my documentation to the Panel now. I appreciate your accepting my comments.
Second, thank you to the panel members for all of the hours spent on this process.
Third, I reviewed many public viewable documents and realized some missing points--which I've captured here. Overall, The FairTax seems like the best approach, details in my file.
Finally, due to technical problems with Word, I coverted to a PDF file to ensure you could read it.
File: PresidentialTaxPanelSubmissionRequest3FairTaxdissection.pdf
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| Posted: Jun 13, 2005 |
By: Joshua Clinard |
Subject: Fair Tax
Comment: I strongly support the Fair Tax. It will help the economy, reduce the amount of uncollected taxes by taxing what everyone spends. This will effectively tax people who are employed illegally, drug trafficers, and so forth. It will also help small business owners, because they will only have to pay taxes on what they spend.
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| Posted: Jun 16, 2005 |
By: David G Gracey |
Subject: AMT
Comment: The ideal of the AMT to stop the supper rich from not paying any tax is laudable. Unfortunately, the law has not been adjusted for infaltion, and it now affects too may taxpayers. Most of the people now affected are really rather modest earners.
Go back to having it applicable to only the super rich, and eliminate the regulations requiring every taxpayer to prepare a tax form to prove they are not subject if they have even $1.00 of potentially subject income. It unnecessarly complicates the tax system and costs tax payers too much for administration.
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| Posted: Jun 16, 2005 |
By: Michael Conway |
Subject: Alternative Minimum Tax
Comment: Let me express my complete support for eliminating the AMT. This would be a giant step in reducing complexity in the tax code. The AMT is impacting ever-increasing numbers of my mostly middle class client base by taking away the benefits Congress intended.
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| Posted: Jun 17, 2005 |
By: Machine Specialties Mfg Co Inc |
Subject: Repeal corporate income tax.
Comment: I believe it is essential that any tax reform plan must include repeal of the federal corporate income tax. This tax is extremely unfair in that the highest rate, 39%, applies at only $300,000, but the rate then drops to 35% and 34% far above that level. The corporate income tax causes extreme distortions in business decisions and subsidizes many luxury schemes, while applying confiscatory rates to families trying to liguidate a farm or small business. It is the corporate income tax rather than the estate tax that threatens small business. Income taxes should apply to people's income, not business income, especially since businesses do not get to vote on the issue.
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| Posted: Jun 17, 2005 |
By: Machine Specialties Mfg Co Inc |
Subject: Repeal corporate income tax.
Comment: I believe it is essential that any tax reform plan must include repeal of the federal corporate income tax. This tax is extremely unfair in that the highest rate, 39%, applies at only $300,000, but the rate then drops to 35% and 34% far above that level. The corporate income tax causes extreme distortions in business decisions and subsidizes many luxury schemes, while applying confiscatory rates to families trying to liguidate a farm or small business. It is the corporate income tax rather than the estate tax that threatens small business. Income taxes should apply to people's income, not business income, especially since businesses do not get to vote on the issue.
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| Posted: Jul 19, 2005 |
By: Edwin Simenson |
Subject: Tax Reform
Comment: Obviously tax reform is absolutely necessary. Why not gradually work in a National Sales Tax, while reducing the Income Tax to a minor extent. --- Gradually increase the National Sales Tax to a minor extent each year, and gradually decrease the Fed Income Tax each year. See how it goes, on a gradual basis. Revise as necessary each year. Or discontinue if necessary if it is not working. ?
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| Posted: Oct 02, 2005 |
By: David P Noonan |
Subject: Income Tax
Comment: Please consider the merits of the Fair Tax as a replacement of the Federal Income Tax.
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| Posted: Oct 02, 2005 |
By: Nick Karem |
Subject: The Fair Tax is not for Bureaucrats!
Comment: I am a self employeed comission sales person. 20 years ago I looked at the amount of my federal taxes and decided to cut my expenses and live a moderate lifestyle. I am a college graduate believe I should be able to prepare my own tax returns and have done so over the years. It takes weeks each year to prepare and file. I have no employees. The Fair Tax wil eliminate this unproductive waste (compliance costs) and lower the cost of goods and services in the U.S. I read today that you are considering a comprise! Something like an income and value added tax. That's what friends predict when the see what the Fair Tax could do for our country! If your goal is to encourage more FEMA like boondogles I'd say a comprise would be in order. FairTax is not what most bureaucrats want to hear about, think about or talk about. It threatens the status quo. FairTax means tax lobbyists will have to find other ways to make a living. It means politicians will have to find other ways to fund election campaigns. It upsets a lot of applecarts.
It will also make us the the best we can be! I urge you in no uncertain terms to recommend passage of the FAIR TAX and the elimination of the IRS!
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| Posted: Oct 03, 2005 |
By: Larry Henderson |
Subject: Fair Tax Plan
Comment: Over the years our Federal government has helt the american public hostage with the current tax system. I urge you to VOTE the Fair Tax Plan into law and give the American people the freedom our fore fathers had designed this Great Country to provide. This would allow our voted officals to work for the people that voted them into office and not the lobbists on K street. This plan would the under priviledged to have a chance to prosper and maybe get out of the rut they are in. Futhermore it would stimilate our economy and bring corporate America back to America. May your decision come from the heart and give this country back the freedom She deserves. God Bless
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| Posted: Oct 03, 2005 |
By: James Reedy |
Subject: Retail Consumption Tax; FairTax
Comment: There are many benefits of a Retail Consumption Tax like the FairTax (HR25 & S25).
The rich will no longer be able to use legal entities; C-Corps, family foundations, charitable remainder trusts, etc. to shelter income from tax. It will be taxed when it is spent.
Social Security and Medicare will become solvent again. Our current system only taxes wage and salary earners, and as the baby boomers retire there will be fewer and fewer workers left to pay income taxes. The retail consumption tax will tap all spending on goods and services broadening the base for our Social Security.
Under a consumption tax the $1 Trillion underground economy would be taxed for the first time ever.
Salary and wage earners will keep 100% of their paychecks. Their spending power will increase, because goods will cost the same once all the hidden taxes (corporate income tax) are eliminated from the supply chain.
$400 Billion is spent annually by tax payers to submit $1.2 Trillion in taxes. This is a staggering 33 1/3% cost of collection. This waste would be eliminated.
The elimination of income tax will make off shore corporations and bank accounts irrelevant. This will create a flood of monies into the US available for investment and job creation. The economic boom that follows will be astounding.
American manufacturers will have a more level playing field as all goods foreign and domestic will be taxed the same. This to will increase job creation.
Since the consumption tax eliminates taxes on interest, savings rates will rise.
The poor will pay zero taxes by receiving a pre-bate based on anticipated spending.
The current role of the IRS would no longer be required. The agency could be eliminated or reduced and used to monitor collection of the retail tax similar to state agencies.
VAT and the flat tax do not create the above benefits because they continue to tax income. They do not eliminate payroll taxes, they do not make it any easier to comply with our muddled tax law, and they do not tax the underground economy.
It is time to streamline our economy and increase our ability to compete in the global marketplace we now live. The Retail Consumption Tax (FairTax, HR25 & S25) is key to our success.
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| Posted: Oct 03, 2005 |
By: kr environmental |
Subject: Fed. Income Tax
Comment: Dear Mr. President:
I strongly urge you to agressively support the FairTax and eliminate
the current tax code AND the IRS.
|
| Posted: Oct 03, 2005 |
By: Michael Musselman |
Subject: FairTax
Comment: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Adopt the FairTax to replace our current tax system.
|
| Posted: Oct 04, 2005 |
By: John Olthoff |
Subject: Tax Cheats
Comment: In my daily business affairs I frequently encounter business people who either actively; 1. Disguise income or, 2. Exaggerate expenses. I know, because they grudgingly admit it behind a knowing smile, as if it's just a big game. The IRS no longer scares them. They think they know how to beat an audit.
The fact is, since most of their competitors are also doing it, they feel (rightly or wrongly) they'd soon be out of business if they didn't follow suit.
When I stop to consider the potential national scope of this non-compliance based upon the honor system, I become enraged at the thought of all the hard-working employees who have their taxes automatically deducted and who have to assume the full burden of funding our government.
Corporate taxes are a sham which allow many of our wealthiest citizen to avoid any of the burden.
For this reason, we need a consumption-based tax which will COMPLETELY REPLACE the current tax code and which will make compliance automatic and compulsory. That way, it would require at least two cheats (buyer and seller) to beat Uncle Sam out of his fair share. Significantly, many of these same "cheats" would support a national sales tax and willingly pay their fair share since they know that everyone else would also be in the same boat.
I'm sure this won't be easy politically, but I think it would be supported by the vast majority of Americans. Please, do the right thing and recommend a National Sales Tax to the President.
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| Posted: Oct 07, 2005 |
By: Richard A. Miller |
Subject: Fair Tax
Comment: Sirs: I have carefully looked over the Fair Tax. I believe it is time for everyone to start paying taxes. The underground, the baby sitters, the paper boys, most of the self-employed. With the fail tax everyone who buys something will pay their fair share.THIS WILL WORK.
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| Posted: Oct 07, 2005 |
By: HINKLE PRINTING |
Subject: fair tax
Comment: DEAR SIRS: I'M ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR A NATIONAL FAIR TAX IN THE FORM OF A SALES TAX TO REPLACE THE CURRENT INCOME TAX AND SOCIAL SECURITY TAX. THANK YOU
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| Posted: Oct 12, 2005 |
By: Myers Morton |
Subject: bureaucracy
Comment: I only superficially heard your recommendation. I can only assume that you are lazy or intellectually dishonest.
Where are the normal, hard working people on your committee.
I hope and pray the President ignores you.
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| Posted: Oct 12, 2005 |
By: jon jambor |
Subject: You failed
Comment: Did President Bush not make your mission clear? None of your recommendations encourage hoem ownership, savings, or investment. They do not reduce the burden to the taxpayer.
You have merely pandered to the K street, washington insiders.
Call it what you may, you call for a tax increase by suggesting limits to home mortgage interest caps. How dumb do you think we are?
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| Posted: Oct 12, 2005 |
By: Marian Smith |
Subject: tax retorm
Comment: I am so disappointed to hear that you are not really considering a real tax reform. Our one and only opportunity to put this country on a path to true prosperity.
A NRST would tap into the underground economy, bring money from offshore for investments, tax people fairly and more equally, get rid of the burden and huge expense of the IRS, liberate people to excell and prosper instead of watching deductions and income caps.
Please rethink. We need to eliminate the IRS, and do it now. While we have a chance to compete in the global economy.
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| Posted: Oct 12, 2005 |
By: Charles Zittin |
Subject: Recommendation of The Tax Panel
Comment: You guys are joke, and a total waste of time. The French Revolution was inevitable because of the aristocracy. This is no different.
I realize that all of you are intellectually-challenged individuals, but, I know some people are suffer from Downs Syndrome who more sense that all of you put together.
Your recommendations add total insult to injury and President Bush should totally ignore it as well as stupidity that comes from individuals who no common sense.
Get a life and get out of government before you destroy us all.
Assholes!
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| Posted: Oct 13, 2005 |
By: asdf |
Subject: Fair tax HR25
Comment: I am taking time out of my day to comment on the way you are leaning on the current tax reform. I respectfully request that you read HR25 and the fair tax book. It is unbelievable to me that we are actually looking at raising taxes AGAIN. Your recent ideas (if you step back and take a good hard look) discourage people from borrowing money and investing in the real estate market which in turn will not help the average home price go up in this country. Therefore people make less money and have less money to put into the economy.
If you think about how much a person works in a year and how much of that hard earned money is so frivolously spent, you would think that eventually someone would stand up for the American people. The American people may not have a say in how the tax money is spent, but we should be able to decide how our money is spent on a personal level. American people who strive to succeed and be above average are punished in this country. American people who do not have drive are taken care of in this country by those who do. All of the American people are taxed based on certain individuals personal interests. It takes leaders who are truely concerned with the American people and the morale of this country to take a stand and realize that they sometimes have to show leadership and make a big change. We the American people are the motor that keeps this machine running. You can go down in history as a couple of people who put new tires on a car with no motor, or a couple of people who decided that this vehicle is no longer serving its purpose, and invest in a new one. We the people are willing to take the chance.
This plan is fair to all people, and helps people meet their needs, example is no tax on the basic necessities. Although it seems like everything these days depends on whether you are republican or democrat, at some point that has to put aside and realize that we are all in the same boat and it doesnt matter who comes up with an idea, the fact of the matter is that if that boat sinks we will all go down together (most likely pointing fingers). What matters is whether it is implemented and will the masses benefit from it. i think if you will take the time to consider this as an option you will see the benefit and be a part of a historic decision. The fairtax plan has a lot of support by the American people and I ask that you consider and support it as well. Please do not take the easy way out again. The current system is ridiculously confusing and burdensom. People do not like to be confused or kept in the dark when it comes to being able to support their family. If you look at the current situation in this country the burden is clearly on you. When you confuse people to the point that our current tax system does people have no choice but to throw their hands in the air, give in, and rely on the government. you then become responsible for taking care of the public and that is clearly not what our founding fathers had in mind. America is the land of opportunity not the land of a free ride. It is easy to sit at the top level and try and squeeze a little bit more and a little bit more out of people until there is nothing left. People should have the opportunity to save for the future and not work 4 months out of the year just to pay their taxes. Take a look at the direction this country is heading. We have gone from a country that is proud and stands up for their fellow Americans to a country of finger pointers. Put us all on a level playing field and give people the opportunity to make the most of the American dream. I completely understand and enjoy the fact that the American people take care of America and it takes money to do such. The government will not be making less money. The American people have recently suffered multiple tragedies yet always find time or money to help out other countries in need. I think this is a noble stand to take and we should continue to do such, but we need to take care of oursleves as well or we will find ourselves in last place and talked about as the old superpower. It all Starts with the American people, not corporate America or special interest groups. Please for once stand up to the pressure of those special interest groups and look out for the American people.
thanks for your time and consideration.
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