The Easy Case Against Tax Simplification

The Easy Case Against Tax Simplification PDF Author: Samuel A. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
There is growing political momentum to simplify the Internal Revenue Code. While the federal tax laws should be no more complex than necessary, this Article demonstrates that tax complexity is not as bad as political rhetoric leads us to believe. The Article makes four arguments in support of this thesis. First, the forces comprising tax complexity are either inevitable or net beneficial, so calls for simplification are ultimately pointless. Second, the alleged harms of tax complexity are either unproven or overstated, so the need for simplification is questionable. Third, significant proposals for simplification are flawed because they either overcorrect for the perceived problem or actually result in increased complexity. Finally, as a criterion of tax policy, simplicity is overrated. While many scholars use the criteria of equity, efficiency, and simplicity in conducting tax policy analysis, simplicity is best characterized as a component of the efficiency criterion. By elevating simplicity to a plan equal with efficiency and equity, therefore, one gives greater weight to simplicity than to equity and the other components of efficiency. To the extent equitable-but-complex laws are superior to inequitable-but-simple laws, the emphasis on simplicity is misguided.

The Easy Case Against Tax Simplification

The Easy Case Against Tax Simplification PDF Author: Samuel A. Donaldson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
There is growing political momentum to simplify the Internal Revenue Code. While the federal tax laws should be no more complex than necessary, this Article demonstrates that tax complexity is not as bad as political rhetoric leads us to believe. The Article makes four arguments in support of this thesis. First, the forces comprising tax complexity are either inevitable or net beneficial, so calls for simplification are ultimately pointless. Second, the alleged harms of tax complexity are either unproven or overstated, so the need for simplification is questionable. Third, significant proposals for simplification are flawed because they either overcorrect for the perceived problem or actually result in increased complexity. Finally, as a criterion of tax policy, simplicity is overrated. While many scholars use the criteria of equity, efficiency, and simplicity in conducting tax policy analysis, simplicity is best characterized as a component of the efficiency criterion. By elevating simplicity to a plan equal with efficiency and equity, therefore, one gives greater weight to simplicity than to equity and the other components of efficiency. To the extent equitable-but-complex laws are superior to inequitable-but-simple laws, the emphasis on simplicity is misguided.

The Flat Tax

The Flat Tax PDF Author: Robert E. Hall
Publisher: Hoover Press
ISBN: 0817993134
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 245

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Book Description
This new and updated edition of The Flat Tax—called "the bible of the flat tax movement" by Forbes—explains what's wrong with our present tax system and offers a practical alternative. Hall and Rabushka set forth what many believe is the most fair, efficient, simple, and workable tax reform plan on the table: tax all income, once only, at a uniform rate of 19 percent.

The Complexity of Tax Simplification

The Complexity of Tax Simplification PDF Author: Simon James
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137478691
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description
Simplicity in taxation has considerable potential advantages. However, attempts to simplify tax systems are only likely to be successful and enduring if they take account of the reasons why taxation is complex. There are strong pressures on tax systems to accommodate a range of important factors, as well as complex and changing national and international environments within which modern tax systems have to operate. This book explores the experiences of simplification in a range of countries and jurisdictions. The authors analyse a range of manifestations of simplification, including tax systems, tax law, taxpayer communications and tax administration. They also review the longer term or more fundamental approaches to simplification, suggesting that in order to strike the optimum balance between simplicity and the aims of a tax system in terms of efficiency and equity, a range of complex environmental factors must all be taken into account. With chapters reflecting on experiences from Australia, China, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the UK and the US, the authors illustrate differences between jurisdictions and the changing environment in which they operate. This book addresses the crucial balance between simplicity and the other objectives of tax design and reform, and suggests that reformers of the tax system should include simplicity as one of the key evaluators of any design or reform proposal.

A Proposal for Income Tax Simplification, Federal Tax Reform, Equality in Taxation, Congressional Legislation

A Proposal for Income Tax Simplification, Federal Tax Reform, Equality in Taxation, Congressional Legislation PDF Author: Glenn M. Walker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Income tax
Languages : en
Pages : 34

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Book Description


The Crisis in Tax Administration

The Crisis in Tax Administration PDF Author: Henry Aaron
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780815796565
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 420

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Book Description
People pay taxes for two reasons. On the positive side, most people recognize, even if grudgingly, that payment of tax is a duty of citizenship. On the negative side, they know that the law requires payment, that evasion is a crime, and that willful failure to pay taxes is punishable by fines or imprisonment. The practical questions for tax administration are how to strengthen each of these motives to comply with the law. How much should be spent on enforcement and how should enforcement be organized to promote these objectives and achieve the best results per dollar spent? Over the last few years, the U.S. Congress has restricted spending on tax administration, forcing the Internal Revenue Service to curtail enforcement activities, at the same time, that the number of individual filers has increased, tax rules have become more complex, and more business have become multinational operations. But if too many cases of tax evasion go undetected and unpunished, those who may have grudgingly paid their taxes may soon find it easier to join the scofflaws. These events in combination have created a genuine crisis in tax administration. The chapters in this volume evaluate the capacity of authorities to enforce the tax laws in a modern, global economy and examine the implications of failing to do so. Specific aspects of tax law, including tax shelters, issues relating to small businesses, tax software, role of tax preparers, and the objectives of tax simplification are examined in detail. The volume also builds a conceptual basis for future scholarship, with regard not only to tax administration, but also to such fundamental questions as whether taxpayers respond mostly to economic incentives or are influenced by their experiences with the filing process and what is the proper framework for evaluating the allocation of resources within the IRS.

OECD Tax Policy Studies Taxation of SMEs Key Issues and Policy Considerations

OECD Tax Policy Studies Taxation of SMEs Key Issues and Policy Considerations PDF Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
ISBN: 9264024743
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description
This publication examines the taxation of SMEs in OECD countries and covers a broad range of SME taxation issues, including possible effects of taxation on the creation and growth of SMEs, and considerations arising from a relatively high compliance burden.

Designing a Tax Administration Reform Strategy

Designing a Tax Administration Reform Strategy PDF Author: Ms.Katherine Baer
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1451980396
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 37

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Book Description
Building on previous FAD work in the tax administration field, this paper defines broad criteria for diagnosing the problems in a country’s tax administration and formulating an appropriate reform strategy. To be effective, this strategy should be based on the size of the tax gap and the country’s particular circumstances. This paper discusses some guiding principles which have provided the basis for successful reforms, including: reducing the tax system’s complexity, encouraging taxpayers’ voluntary compliance, differentiating the treatment of taxpayers by their revenue potential, and ensuring the reform’s effective management. Also discussed are specific bottlenecks that hinder the effectiveness of the tax administration’s operations.

Why People Pay Taxes

Why People Pay Taxes PDF Author: Joel Slemrod
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780472103386
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 361

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Book Description
Experts discuss strategies for curtailing tax evasion

Tax Policy Handbook

Tax Policy Handbook PDF Author: Mr.Parthasarathi Shome
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 9781557754905
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
Edited by Parthasarathi Shome, this Handbook was written primarily for economists who are responsible for analyzing and evaluating economic policies of developing countries at an applied level, and who would benefit from a comprehensive discussion of the concepts, principles, and prevailing issues of taxation.

A Good Tax

A Good Tax PDF Author: Joan Youngman
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781558443426
Category : Local finance
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
In A Good Tax, tax expert Joan Youngman skillfully considers how to improve the operation of the property tax and supply the information that is often missing in public debate. She analyzes the legal, administrative, and political challenges to the property tax in the United States and offers recommendations for its improvement. The book is accessibly written for policy analysts and public officials who are dealing with specific property tax issues and for those concerned with property tax issues in general.