There should be an all of the above answer. Our tax code is an accumulation of laws, regulations, interpretations, precedents, and patchwork repairs attempting to address many circumstances that no longer exist. Hearing politicians talk about “loopholes” in laws that they previously wrote to some group an advantage sickens me.
Another missing point is real estate tax. They are controlled by individual states but the supposed definition of a free person is the right to own property. You never truly own property if the “state” at any level of government has the right to tax that property and seize it if taxes are not paid. If property ownership is truly a definitive characteristic of a free society, then government should have no more right to seize it than they do to remove your right to free speech.
Laura Cagle
5 years ago
Senior Citizens MUST have tax relief!
We live on a “fixed” income and when taxes, insurance, utilities, gas, medicines etc go up , we kept having less and less at the end of the month. Our income never goes up….yet everything in our life keeps going up and up!!!……and taking more and more from our fixed income resulting in us having far, far less to live on! Please, help the Senior Citizens!
Don
5 years ago
Everyone should have to pay something because we are all in this together. A fair and equal system would include all to pay for the governance of our country. Programs that add nothing need to be cut and an end to the gov/agencies getting a budget and then spending every dime so that the next your they will constantly get more of the tax payers hard earned money.
krackerhac
5 years ago
What’s wrong with all of the above? Had to pick other.
Nancy Mazzucco
5 years ago
It’s time YHE IRS Was disbanded ed and a simple tax applied acrross the board YHE same for everyone!
People should not be punished for either having children or not the same goes for having a business or being a worker!
It’s time government STOP REWARDING NONWORKERS and STOP ENCOURAGING NOT WORKING AND LEGALIZING OF DRUGS THAT BY THE WAY ARE BOTH RAMPENT AND KILLING PEOPLES DESIRE AND ABILITY TO WORK AND SUPPORT YHEMSELVES!
Another COMMUNIST/LIBERAL TACT OF CONTROL OF PEOPLE AND POWER!!!
Business
Texark
5 years ago
Flat tax with no corporate tax at all solves all the devious taxation problems. After that it is up to the American people to quit sending up reps that will use our tax money to buy votes.
Old Griz
6 years ago
Eliminate the IRS!!!!!!!!! What happened to the “Freedom Consumption Tax” that promises enormous benefits. Number one benefit; eliminate the IRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shirley Warrick
6 years ago
We could take a flat tax (my preference) or a consumption tax. We really need to “drain the swamp” of career politicians! They all need to be put on Obama Care! I think they would correct the errors quickly – all of them. I did not know that they did not have to pay FICA like the rest of us. They really should have to live by the rules they make for the rest of us!
Shirley Warrick
6 years ago
I have a PhD and my husband has a masters degree. We have to hire someone to do our taxes because they are so complicated. That is so ridiculous! Sorry, CPA’s, but I would really like a tax code that can be completed by those at a 7th grade reading level (apparently, this is about where we are at nationally). Also, can we get any hints about income levels in the three levels? Another question, How is it that some people who have not paid any taxes can get a tax refund? Another question…… How is it that people who have never paid into social security or medicare can receive its benefits? (I guess I am mainly referring to immigrants.
Angela Bryant
6 years ago
What if I want to say ALL OF THE ABOVE
ben
6 years ago
Don’t cut taxes. Just simplify them.
Dave Kaiser
6 years ago
Although taxes are important the government should not have uncontrolled capabilities to increase taxes without the majority’s approval. I am a proponent of the FAIR tax, in which taxpayers are taxes according to consumption. Current efforts to change the tax system should go a LOT farther and efforts should be made to cut back on the size and power of government spending.
Reggie Sorensen
6 years ago
No surcharge for the top 1 per cent, that would be a Democrat move.
Lyle
6 years ago
Everyone should pay income tax. As Ben Carson said, ” We should all have some skin in the game.” #1 A tax scale should be set up from 1% to 35%. #2 The budget must be balanced and work to pay off the debt. This means everyone must pay more taxes. The problem here is that no political candidate would be elected based on that platform. #3. Earned Income credit should not be part of the Income tax system. No one should get more $ than were paid in.
David
6 years ago
Put the Fair Tax in place which is better than the Flat Tax. The Fair Tax is a national sales tax to eliminate the IRS and corporate taxation. The Fair Tax allows families to not pay national sales tax on a certain amount of food and essentials.
Jack Williams
6 years ago
It is getting so hard to GIVE taxes when we see it stolen and wasted in too many ways ! 2.3 Billion missing from the Defense Budget announced, the 48 hours a 747 manned by Muslims flies it precisely at ground level and takes out THAT part of the Pentagon that was trying to find where it went !!!!!! Are ALL American stupid and blind ?????????????????
Jack Williams
6 years ago
oh yea taxes! WHY do we have to make everything so complicated? KISS….Keep It Simple Stupid ! The 10% system would be fair and simple ! Common Sense is NOT Common !
Jack Williams
6 years ago
The US is so divided now, we need a common enemy to fight and not each other. If California gets away with harboring Illegals for the purpose of fruit pickers, then they might as well fly the Rebel flag. Are we destined for another Civil War, history Does repeat itself! There will be wars and rumors of wars. SO FAR I approve of the President I never liked. It takes a think skinned, hard headed fool to go against all the well organised domestic enemies of “WE THE PEOPLE” and I don’t mean the Rich People ! Only GOD can help us help ourselves !
Charles Ellison
6 years ago
There is no such thing as corporate tax. All taxes on inaminate objects are paid by people who work either directly or indirectly.
Anne Woods
6 years ago
I prefer a simple flat tax for ALL , no cuts or passes, everybody pats the same 15% and no breaks on insurance for Congress. They should be under same policies as public-no special tax paid government health insurance–period!!!
Ricahrd Weise
6 years ago
In the long-run, the greatest benefit to all will be to lower-significantly-the corporate tax rate.
let’s get rid of the tax on social security as per the original law
Steve Miller
6 years ago
All the above , we at least need to do the first 3 if nothing else.
Jerry
6 years ago
FairTax, the only Real solution. Check into it.
Rob McKey
6 years ago
All of the above. Give us a Fair tax Or at least, a Flat tax Everyone pays a fair share. 10 % of Trumps’ 380 millon is the same as my 10% of 50 K.
Captain Frank L. Davis, Jr., MBA USN (Ret)
6 years ago
I support the FAIRtax for the following reasons:
FAIRtax Eliminates the Federal Individual and Corporate Income Tax
FAIRtax Lets You Keep What You Earn
FAIRtax Abolishes the IRS
FAIRtax Reduces Corruption & Cronyism in Washington, DC
FAIRtax Grows the Economy & Creates Jobs
FAIRtax Leads to Major Growth in U.S. Exports and Helps Reduce the Trade Deficit
FAIRtax Reduces Tax Evasion & Fraud
FAIRtax Increases Personal Freedom & Individual Control
With FAIRtax, There Are No More “Hidden Taxes”
With FAIRtax, There Are No More Gift or Estate Taxes
FAIRtax Truly “Untaxes” the Poor and Reduces Poverty
FAIRtax Restores “Fairness” to the U.S. Tax System
FAIRtax Discourages Illegal Immigration
FAIRtax Helps Save Social Security & Medicare
FAIRtax Helps Restore Religious Freedom of Speech
FAIRtax Restores Personal Privacy
FAIRtax Requires the Repeal of the 16th Amendment
Go to https://www.fairtax.org to find out how you can help us replace the income tax with the FAIRtax and abolish the IRS!
America WILL NEVER be a FRee country so long as the income tax and the IRS are in place!
Rob McKey
6 years ago
I agree. Scrap the IRS Tax code in favor of a FairTax or at least , a Flat Tax.
Gary Evans
6 years ago
At the age we belong to AMAC most of us have probably lost both parents. When you lose one parent the remaining parent absorbs the assets of the first, but when the second parent dies you feel the “DEATH TAX.” This is the most heinous of our taxes because it is at least the second time this money is being taxed. And why?!?!?!? This should be done away with in a hurry out of fairness to the American people.
Lanora Hankins
6 years ago
Eileen was right, all of the above.
Lyn
6 years ago
“The United States will fall from the inside”. That was the statement of a Russian dictator decades ago. Looking at the goal of highly placed people in Government, education, the media, the arts who believe that the U.S. Constitution is obsolete and work to remove the principles guaranteed by it. There is an obvious plan to remove individual freedoms one at a time. Then those “in charge” will determine how we should think, Look a North Korea now. This could be us.
G Roberts
6 years ago
Why would anyone care about the number of tax brackets? You figure out your taxable income and go to the right bracket on the chart – it matters not how many other brackets there were. The more tax brackets the better because more brackets make the progression smoother.
Lois E Scharfglass
6 years ago
All of the above! If Congress is serious about boosting the economy, reducing the debt and putting more money back into the hands of the middle class, all of these elements are essential.
Lois E Scharfglass
6 years ago
All of the above!
Mike
6 years ago
Reducing taxes paid in relation to gross income should be the goal. Tax rate lowering can result in more taxes paid for individuals and small businesses depending on the amount of deductions and allowable business expenses that may be eliminated.
DarleneWesbrook
6 years ago
Simplifying does not mean Lowering.
I’m for Lowering the 10, 15, & 35.
I’m for. Lowering Corporate, which equates to more jobs.
I’m for simplifying tax returns. If the above is accomplished, I believe it will lead to a more simple tax form.
Sue Lee
6 years ago
I am like most of those who feel all of the above should be changed to the benefit of the American tax payers; and also reduction to the benefits our politicians get after leaving office. How many previous presidents are alive and still getting benefits supported by tax payer money. How many Congressmen/women are retired and still enjoying benefits I am paying for. It is time to reign in our retired politicians’ benefits. Social Security has not gotten a sufficient increase in years but our Congress gives themselves raises each year.
Kae
6 years ago
I agree with Eileen. All of the above are important.
Bullroar
6 years ago
She spot-on with all of the above! Make the corporate tax lower than anyone else’s. Then get rid of ridiculous regulations and you’ll see a flood of businesses moving back to this country because it will no longer be profitable to go abroad.
Mike Kapic
6 years ago
We the People have the tools available to us. It was a gift from the founders inside the Constitution in the form of Article V. The ConventionOfStates.com has application in 12 states (of 34 needed) to cap the government on taxing and spending, limit terms of service for Congress and Judicial, and limit the power of the alphabet agencies in DC. Only you and I can make this happen. There’s no need for the president or government or court in this quest. Only We the People can save America from its government.
Nelson
6 years ago
Not only does Eileen make several good points on how this country has changed over the past 241 years.
Why isn’t anyone pushing the Fair Tax? If it is put into law and eliminate the current tax system everyone hates and is difficult to understand, so many different issues we currently have could be solved.
Edward
6 years ago
The fairest federal tax is the VAT. It assures every citizen pays some tax, even the under the table workers, but the tax is only applied to new items, and would not be applied to subsistence food items. The poor would pay only when buying new things like Autos, TVs, and toys, the poor could buy seconds forever and never pay a tax, and the people that constantly buy new high priced items would pay through the nose. All other taxes would be charged at the state, county and community level so you would know which politicians is screwing you over and they could be dump. There would be no payroll tax to hide all the screwing we get without knowing about it.
Jon
6 years ago
All of the above would be the choice I would take, but can’t find that choice.
Dave
6 years ago
Two systems: If personal income was flat-taxed, or at least have a flat tax option, might filings be able to be reduced to a post card? Then, could the government administrative costs (including IRS manpower and infrastructure) be significantly reduced? I suppose Corporate taxes might need to be more complicated, but if “Small Business” could opt to pay a Flat Tax, their overhead could be reduced too.
Lowering taxes is most important. Setting taxes at 10, 25 & 35 will cost most people more money. Complicated rules are a huge problem. Taxes were started to support the military but a bunch of crooks figured it was a good way to make a living by taxing Americans forever.
Kelli
6 years ago
I would rather see the tax structure change to a consumption tax, keeping our incomes between us and our employers. Exclude simple foods– produce/meat/dairy/grains. Would encourage saving, and better health with only unprocessed food being untaxed.
Davis Kay
6 years ago
I marked other on survey as I am for the Fair Tax. Whatever you can afford to buy you buy & the tax is included. If you can afford a Mercedes you pay sales tax or a Chevy you pay a sales tax. Every body pays on what they can afford. It’s fair for all. The rich pays there fair share just as I would. No more income tax (loop holes for the rich) no more payroll taxes. Buy the book. Takes the power of Congress away. Its a win, win for all
Bob Host
6 years ago
I support ALL of the above; reduce amounts given to welfare recipients. Give them a set amount; if you’re working you don’t automatically get more money from your employer if you have another child. The child is YOUIR responsibility. Stop rewarding welfare recipients for having more kids!
There should be an all of the above answer. Our tax code is an accumulation of laws, regulations, interpretations, precedents, and patchwork repairs attempting to address many circumstances that no longer exist. Hearing politicians talk about “loopholes” in laws that they previously wrote to some group an advantage sickens me.
Another missing point is real estate tax. They are controlled by individual states but the supposed definition of a free person is the right to own property. You never truly own property if the “state” at any level of government has the right to tax that property and seize it if taxes are not paid. If property ownership is truly a definitive characteristic of a free society, then government should have no more right to seize it than they do to remove your right to free speech.
Senior Citizens MUST have tax relief!
We live on a “fixed” income and when taxes, insurance, utilities, gas, medicines etc go up , we kept having less and less at the end of the month. Our income never goes up….yet everything in our life keeps going up and up!!!……and taking more and more from our fixed income resulting in us having far, far less to live on! Please, help the Senior Citizens!
Everyone should have to pay something because we are all in this together. A fair and equal system would include all to pay for the governance of our country. Programs that add nothing need to be cut and an end to the gov/agencies getting a budget and then spending every dime so that the next your they will constantly get more of the tax payers hard earned money.
What’s wrong with all of the above? Had to pick other.
It’s time YHE IRS Was disbanded ed and a simple tax applied acrross the board YHE same for everyone!
People should not be punished for either having children or not the same goes for having a business or being a worker!
It’s time government STOP REWARDING NONWORKERS and STOP ENCOURAGING NOT WORKING AND LEGALIZING OF DRUGS THAT BY THE WAY ARE BOTH RAMPENT AND KILLING PEOPLES DESIRE AND ABILITY TO WORK AND SUPPORT YHEMSELVES!
Another COMMUNIST/LIBERAL TACT OF CONTROL OF PEOPLE AND POWER!!!
Business
Flat tax with no corporate tax at all solves all the devious taxation problems. After that it is up to the American people to quit sending up reps that will use our tax money to buy votes.
Eliminate the IRS!!!!!!!!! What happened to the “Freedom Consumption Tax” that promises enormous benefits. Number one benefit; eliminate the IRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We could take a flat tax (my preference) or a consumption tax. We really need to “drain the swamp” of career politicians! They all need to be put on Obama Care! I think they would correct the errors quickly – all of them. I did not know that they did not have to pay FICA like the rest of us. They really should have to live by the rules they make for the rest of us!
I have a PhD and my husband has a masters degree. We have to hire someone to do our taxes because they are so complicated. That is so ridiculous! Sorry, CPA’s, but I would really like a tax code that can be completed by those at a 7th grade reading level (apparently, this is about where we are at nationally). Also, can we get any hints about income levels in the three levels? Another question, How is it that some people who have not paid any taxes can get a tax refund? Another question…… How is it that people who have never paid into social security or medicare can receive its benefits? (I guess I am mainly referring to immigrants.
What if I want to say ALL OF THE ABOVE
Don’t cut taxes. Just simplify them.
Although taxes are important the government should not have uncontrolled capabilities to increase taxes without the majority’s approval. I am a proponent of the FAIR tax, in which taxpayers are taxes according to consumption. Current efforts to change the tax system should go a LOT farther and efforts should be made to cut back on the size and power of government spending.
No surcharge for the top 1 per cent, that would be a Democrat move.
Everyone should pay income tax. As Ben Carson said, ” We should all have some skin in the game.” #1 A tax scale should be set up from 1% to 35%. #2 The budget must be balanced and work to pay off the debt. This means everyone must pay more taxes. The problem here is that no political candidate would be elected based on that platform. #3. Earned Income credit should not be part of the Income tax system. No one should get more $ than were paid in.
Put the Fair Tax in place which is better than the Flat Tax. The Fair Tax is a national sales tax to eliminate the IRS and corporate taxation. The Fair Tax allows families to not pay national sales tax on a certain amount of food and essentials.
It is getting so hard to GIVE taxes when we see it stolen and wasted in too many ways ! 2.3 Billion missing from the Defense Budget announced, the 48 hours a 747 manned by Muslims flies it precisely at ground level and takes out THAT part of the Pentagon that was trying to find where it went !!!!!! Are ALL American stupid and blind ?????????????????
oh yea taxes! WHY do we have to make everything so complicated? KISS….Keep It Simple Stupid ! The 10% system would be fair and simple ! Common Sense is NOT Common !
The US is so divided now, we need a common enemy to fight and not each other. If California gets away with harboring Illegals for the purpose of fruit pickers, then they might as well fly the Rebel flag. Are we destined for another Civil War, history Does repeat itself! There will be wars and rumors of wars. SO FAR I approve of the President I never liked. It takes a think skinned, hard headed fool to go against all the well organised domestic enemies of “WE THE PEOPLE” and I don’t mean the Rich People ! Only GOD can help us help ourselves !
There is no such thing as corporate tax. All taxes on inaminate objects are paid by people who work either directly or indirectly.
I prefer a simple flat tax for ALL , no cuts or passes, everybody pats the same 15% and no breaks on insurance for Congress. They should be under same policies as public-no special tax paid government health insurance–period!!!
In the long-run, the greatest benefit to all will be to lower-significantly-the corporate tax rate.
Go to the following link to understand how fairTax works;
https://fairtax.org/about/how-fairtax-works
let’s get rid of the tax on social security as per the original law
All the above , we at least need to do the first 3 if nothing else.
FairTax, the only Real solution. Check into it.
All of the above. Give us a Fair tax Or at least, a Flat tax Everyone pays a fair share. 10 % of Trumps’ 380 millon is the same as my 10% of 50 K.
I support the FAIRtax for the following reasons:
FAIRtax Eliminates the Federal Individual and Corporate Income Tax
FAIRtax Lets You Keep What You Earn
FAIRtax Abolishes the IRS
FAIRtax Reduces Corruption & Cronyism in Washington, DC
FAIRtax Grows the Economy & Creates Jobs
FAIRtax Leads to Major Growth in U.S. Exports and Helps Reduce the Trade Deficit
FAIRtax Reduces Tax Evasion & Fraud
FAIRtax Increases Personal Freedom & Individual Control
With FAIRtax, There Are No More “Hidden Taxes”
With FAIRtax, There Are No More Gift or Estate Taxes
FAIRtax Truly “Untaxes” the Poor and Reduces Poverty
FAIRtax Restores “Fairness” to the U.S. Tax System
FAIRtax Discourages Illegal Immigration
FAIRtax Helps Save Social Security & Medicare
FAIRtax Helps Restore Religious Freedom of Speech
FAIRtax Restores Personal Privacy
FAIRtax Requires the Repeal of the 16th Amendment
Go to https://www.fairtax.org to find out how you can help us replace the income tax with the FAIRtax and abolish the IRS!
America WILL NEVER be a FRee country so long as the income tax and the IRS are in place!
I agree. Scrap the IRS Tax code in favor of a FairTax or at least , a Flat Tax.
At the age we belong to AMAC most of us have probably lost both parents. When you lose one parent the remaining parent absorbs the assets of the first, but when the second parent dies you feel the “DEATH TAX.” This is the most heinous of our taxes because it is at least the second time this money is being taxed. And why?!?!?!? This should be done away with in a hurry out of fairness to the American people.
Eileen was right, all of the above.
“The United States will fall from the inside”. That was the statement of a Russian dictator decades ago. Looking at the goal of highly placed people in Government, education, the media, the arts who believe that the U.S. Constitution is obsolete and work to remove the principles guaranteed by it. There is an obvious plan to remove individual freedoms one at a time. Then those “in charge” will determine how we should think, Look a North Korea now. This could be us.
Why would anyone care about the number of tax brackets? You figure out your taxable income and go to the right bracket on the chart – it matters not how many other brackets there were. The more tax brackets the better because more brackets make the progression smoother.
All of the above! If Congress is serious about boosting the economy, reducing the debt and putting more money back into the hands of the middle class, all of these elements are essential.
All of the above!
Reducing taxes paid in relation to gross income should be the goal. Tax rate lowering can result in more taxes paid for individuals and small businesses depending on the amount of deductions and allowable business expenses that may be eliminated.
Simplifying does not mean Lowering.
I’m for Lowering the 10, 15, & 35.
I’m for. Lowering Corporate, which equates to more jobs.
I’m for simplifying tax returns. If the above is accomplished, I believe it will lead to a more simple tax form.
I am like most of those who feel all of the above should be changed to the benefit of the American tax payers; and also reduction to the benefits our politicians get after leaving office. How many previous presidents are alive and still getting benefits supported by tax payer money. How many Congressmen/women are retired and still enjoying benefits I am paying for. It is time to reign in our retired politicians’ benefits. Social Security has not gotten a sufficient increase in years but our Congress gives themselves raises each year.
I agree with Eileen. All of the above are important.
She spot-on with all of the above! Make the corporate tax lower than anyone else’s. Then get rid of ridiculous regulations and you’ll see a flood of businesses moving back to this country because it will no longer be profitable to go abroad.
We the People have the tools available to us. It was a gift from the founders inside the Constitution in the form of Article V. The ConventionOfStates.com has application in 12 states (of 34 needed) to cap the government on taxing and spending, limit terms of service for Congress and Judicial, and limit the power of the alphabet agencies in DC. Only you and I can make this happen. There’s no need for the president or government or court in this quest. Only We the People can save America from its government.
Not only does Eileen make several good points on how this country has changed over the past 241 years.
Why isn’t anyone pushing the Fair Tax? If it is put into law and eliminate the current tax system everyone hates and is difficult to understand, so many different issues we currently have could be solved.
The fairest federal tax is the VAT. It assures every citizen pays some tax, even the under the table workers, but the tax is only applied to new items, and would not be applied to subsistence food items. The poor would pay only when buying new things like Autos, TVs, and toys, the poor could buy seconds forever and never pay a tax, and the people that constantly buy new high priced items would pay through the nose. All other taxes would be charged at the state, county and community level so you would know which politicians is screwing you over and they could be dump. There would be no payroll tax to hide all the screwing we get without knowing about it.
All of the above would be the choice I would take, but can’t find that choice.
Two systems: If personal income was flat-taxed, or at least have a flat tax option, might filings be able to be reduced to a post card? Then, could the government administrative costs (including IRS manpower and infrastructure) be significantly reduced? I suppose Corporate taxes might need to be more complicated, but if “Small Business” could opt to pay a Flat Tax, their overhead could be reduced too.
ELIMINATE THE IRS
Support the FAIR TAX – National Consumption Tax
https://fairtax.org/about/how-fairtax-works
Lowering taxes is most important. Setting taxes at 10, 25 & 35 will cost most people more money. Complicated rules are a huge problem. Taxes were started to support the military but a bunch of crooks figured it was a good way to make a living by taxing Americans forever.
I would rather see the tax structure change to a consumption tax, keeping our incomes between us and our employers. Exclude simple foods– produce/meat/dairy/grains. Would encourage saving, and better health with only unprocessed food being untaxed.
I marked other on survey as I am for the Fair Tax. Whatever you can afford to buy you buy & the tax is included. If you can afford a Mercedes you pay sales tax or a Chevy you pay a sales tax. Every body pays on what they can afford. It’s fair for all. The rich pays there fair share just as I would. No more income tax (loop holes for the rich) no more payroll taxes. Buy the book. Takes the power of Congress away. Its a win, win for all
I support ALL of the above; reduce amounts given to welfare recipients. Give them a set amount; if you’re working you don’t automatically get more money from your employer if you have another child. The child is YOUIR responsibility. Stop rewarding welfare recipients for having more kids!
All of the above.