Comments on: Tax System So Complicated, Congressmen Can’t Understand

By: Kent

Kent — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:26:52 +0000

As a Ph.D. astronomer, I figured I had the intelligence and math skills to do my own taxes, and I did for many years. I finally gave it up last year, and started using tax preparation software.

I still have no confidence that I'm doing them right. All I can claim is that I'm doing them as best and honestly as I can. I doubt that will save me from the I.R.S., but then I can't do anything about being hit by a giant meteor either.

By: LP Blog

LP Blog — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:07:20 +0000

Even Congressmen Don't Understand the Tax System...

In honor of tax filing season, there is a good story (via Outside the Beltway) about how even the some of the writers of our tax laws need help in filing their taxes. According to Yahoo News, three of the......

By: Herb

Herb — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 11:59:11 +0000

Akdfjo:

"The socialist left is practically non exist ant in this country:

I am not sure what planet you are on either. What do you think the Democrats are but "Socialist Lefties"

Gads man, get with it and wake up.

By: akdfjo

akdfjo — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 04:55:05 +0000

Congress is the biggest impediment to any meaningful tax reform.

The other hurdle is the socialist left

I love it Eneils Bailey! The Conservative Congress is the biggest impediment along with the "socialist left"? I am not sure what planet you are on, but the socialist left is practically non-existent in the country--they are certainly not in a position to influence challenges to the tax code.

By: Herb

Herb — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 04:19:29 +0000

One additional thought, I bet that about 99 percent of our wonderful members of the Senate and House who voted for the tax codes, didn't have a clew what they were voting into law and didn't give a damn to begin with.

By: bryan

bryan — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 03:39:54 +0000

The very fact that over 60 percent of americans use tax professionals will ensure that there will never be meaningful tax reform. There are too many jobs invested in deciphering the code.

By: Russell Newquist

Russell Newquist — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 00:26:26 +0000

I've long been ofthe opinion that the number one biggest reform we should impose on our tax code is an absolute requirement that members of congress MUST prepare their own taxes, and cannot hire anyone else to do it or use any software to help them.

You just wait and see how quickly the code gets cleaned up if we do that.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 20:54:53 +0000

I see Rick is still fighting the last decade's rhetorical battles...

By: Eneils Bailey

Eneils Bailey — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:10:39 +0000

Herb,
You got that right, Congress is the biggest impediment to any meaningful tax reform. Too much money and political influence there to lose if they pass a really simple tax schedule.
The other hurdle is the socialist left in this country who think their beloved progressivity schedule won't be there to soak the rich. Any serious reforms that I have read about protect the low income and lower-middle income families. High wage earners will continue, as they always have to shoulder most of the tax burden in this country.

By: floyd

floyd — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:10:13 +0000

it's really quite simple. to quote kingfish[from amos & andy]"yes suh amos, you know duh BIG PRINT giveth and the fine print taketh away"

By: Herb

Herb — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 16:10:32 +0000

The point is "That the tax code is far to complicated". Now, the question is "Why is the tax code so complicated" I submit that our wonderful members of the Senate and House have made the tax code what it is because it allows each member the opportunity to "take Care" of their favorite Person, company, Campaign Contributor, and self interest into account as a payoff for their selfish, self centered and financial self serving support. It doesn't take a "rocket scientist" to figure out the "Tax Corruption" that has and is taking place in Congress. Now as always, the IRS is and has been the "police Force" that supports this corruption brought on by both Democrats and Republicans and paid for by everyday hard working Americans.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 15:00:47 +0000

Rick,

The progressivity angle--if you simply mean graduated rates--doesn't add much complexity. It's just a matter of which table you look at.

I think even most flat tax advocates want to introduce some element of progressivity into the system, if nothing more than a fairly high standard deduction.

My preference would be to have no income tax at all but rather some sort of consumption tax. Even there, though, we could have some sort of progressivity by not taxing groceries, medicines, and the like.

By: Rick DeMent

Rick DeMent — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 12:44:05 +0000

Yeah, but if we just got rid of the ptogressivity it would be so much simpler ... right?