Should we implement a smart tax system?

Not sure, but I am IRATE that Obamacare's MANDATE is going to be a TAX!

How great is that if you don't have enough money as it is, to get healthcare- you're unemployed, or on Medicare(which will be defunded by 8-80 billion), you're going to get TAXED if you don't buy healthcare!!!!

That IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!!!!

You can look through my other polls and posts on that topic.

Sounds good, but I would like to know more

I'll sketch out more as I have time; you can bookmark the blog page which will be updated in time; I think the facebook page has some more information too which I'll copy over.

Thanks

it took me 35 yrs to finally understand Algebra... I need to really review this more

At some point I'll put up examples; something like a a husband and a wife making etc etc etc would pay A under the current plan and B under the new plan.

smart, tax, government...3 words that are impossible to bring together...think "oxymoron"

Everyone just pay a "fair share".

Theft by force is not "smart".

Obviously you're under the notion that all taxes are bad then; that's reasonable in a way, but the idea is how a single bracket tax with a single deduction equaling the poverty threshold compares to our current system or other alternative systems.

User fees would be better. Or a sales tax. We need more local control. Eliminate ALL federal taxes.

I agree, but I'm trying to at least work within the bounds of what could actually happen.

LOL No "smart tax" or "flat tax" will ever happen. USGovt, federal reserve, and IRS will never let it happen.

We need to scrap the whole thing and start over.

First of all, this is *not* a progressive tax system. It is a *flat* tax system.

I'd prefer the FairTax system, but this one comes close. FairTax taxes *new stuff* that you buy, so that you need pay it only *once*. It is the tax that first-adopters, car leasing companies, and the "gotta have the new stuff" crowd pays.

But the central idea is the same: *one* tax rate, and a big standard deduction. It's smart because it's simple.

Do we need an income tax? The fairest way to fill the coffers is through a consumption tax. If you use the highways then building and maintenance are collected through fuel tax or tolls. Even if you don't own a vehicle you would still pay your share of moving goods about by the cost of the products you buy which would have the extra cost of the tax included in the product's price.

Income tax is the worse way to be taxed because the government says it owns what you have produced even before you have a chance to spend it. The IRS now takes your money in increments during the calendar year when in reality the tax isn't due until April, 15 of the following year. They not only get the money before it is due but they pay no interest on the same.

I both like and dislike the consumption tax idea; if all basic goods were tax free than I could definitely support it, but this may not end up being the case; either way, the issue is not whether or not I can support a consumption tax, it's whether or not the country as a whole will support it. I really can't see a consumption tax ever being passed in replace of the income tax system; the result most likely will be the opposite of what we are hoping and a consumption tax will be added on top of the income tax.

We are already paying a consumption tax. It is the fairest way to get money to run the government. A direct tax does not have to be placed on necessities. Indirect taxes have already been placed on them before you purchase them.

Another example of the fairness of consumption tax is the cost of what you can afford. If you can afford a 75,000 dollar luxury car you would pay more tax than a person who bought a 20,000 dollar economy car. And the great thing about this is many people who can afford the higher dollar item, but are not willing to put their money in a vehicle, would save on taxes by buying the cheaper one.

This would give us some of our liberty back which is what this country used to be about. And it would make the government live within its means and stop wasting "our money" because it never did not produce a product of value but is only a parasite on the backs of working citizens.

We are paying local consumption taxes; we are not paying a national consumption tax like the VAT. I am just warning you that attempting to add a VAT without constitutional revision to prevent future reinstatement of an income tax will create a double tax; also I'm not sure if a national sales tax would require a constitutional amendment in and of itself.

http://www.gaspricewatch.com/...

Guess again about the federal consumption tax. And it can be called anything you or the government likes but it is not a tax until you buy the product. Income tax is "double taxation" and is unconstitutional and was when it was implemented.

I cannot comprehend why Libs feel they must punish the successful for their efforts. With a flat tax, the more you earn, the more you pay---but the percentage is a constant. With a progressive tax, you are penalized more making more money. How is that fair ?

If we really need to start paying off our massive national debt, let's start but sending ALL illegals home. Then let's amend the Constitution so that "anchor babies" are also sent home. That reduces the drain they place on our economy while opening jobs for actual Americans (who WILL work if not given Welfare at the drop of a hat).
Next, stop rewarding "welfare queens" for popping out one baby after another. Pass a law forbidding ANY payments for more than two children. Why are we forced to pay while these loafers game the system ?

Want to call me a hater ? Fine. I HATE people who are willing to sit on their asses like a bunch of leeches while the government pays their way (meaning we who EARNED our money). I HATE people who come here illegally. Even more, I HATE the politicians who see these illegals as (1) cheap labor (Republicans) or (2) cheap votes (Democrats).

Most of all, I HATE the fact that other people wait all over the world in places like Germany, Poland, and dozens of other countries for years and years to LEGALLY come to America while millions of criminal INVADERS continue to pour into America --- all encouraged by a President and administration who encourage them.

And then send congress and reps home. Send all the alphabet soup agencies home.

The only thing I am opposed to is a system that taxes the working lower class to the point where "welfare" recipients are better off financially than the workers.

Yes.

Any tax which is progressive and fails to make ALL citizens pay in at an equal rate is only going to continue to perpetuate the current problems of class warfare and disinsentive to get off government rolls. A FAIR TAX is the ONLY way to force government to obey the people

I do not care if it is a smart tax system or a flat tax or 9,9,9. Just do something better than we have right now. Put the IRS agents on unemployment.

Your system has an inherent flaw. What composes a 'loss' The rich would still get over with this system. Flat tax everyone at 28% across the board, no deductions off of net income.

We aready have a smart tax system. It's called the Fair Tax. The problem is it won't get passed by Congress because the present system is used to keep the sheeple in line. Think of it as a way of pitting one class against another, which, the present administration is doing a super job of.

I twould be likely better than what we have now but does not address capital gains. I prefer a national sales tax coupled with severe spending cuts.
Taxing consumption, with no deductions instead of taxing production is much better. I know people that that do lots of spending on things they dont need because its a tax deduction-hence an attempt to bring down their adjusted income or business income.
Also; this would tax those earning cash like drug dealers, prostitutes and others that operate their business with some cash earning.

smart and fair. The very rich have too many tax shelters and loopholes which places a heavier burden on the rest of us

The Federal Government should abandon all manner of taxation, except what is necessary and constitution for programs which are inherently, and constitutionally Federal. Then it's up to the 50 states to figure out what taxes they need for their State programs. The most fair Federal Tax would be a straight, across the board sales and service tax of ?% on all goods and services purchased within the United States. No IRS. No loopholes. To tax season. No returns. No mistakes. No Tax liabilities, or audits, or prison, etc. No refunds. No withholding. You're taxed on what you consume. Period. When the budget is balanced, they can lower the rate to that which is needed for operations. When things are going poorly, they can raise the rate through Congress.

Finally some one else that see's the advantage of a Flat Consumption tax. I would also like to point out that this would prevent politicians from using the tax code to cater to their voter base. Every one would be paying their tax's every time they purchased something. So every one would have a stake in keeping the tax rate as low ass possible.

Tax lawyers would fight it because that would put them out of business, but just think of the saving by not needing the IRS.

Agreed.

Yes, I agree with others we need a Flat tax and get control of the IRS.

It might be better than what we have now, but I'd still prefer the "Flat Tax" or "Fair Tax" policy.

Why is it fair for someone who is below the poverty threshold--in other words does not have enough money to provide basic necessities--to be paying taxes? It also seems senseless with welfare programs--allow those under the poverty threshold to just keep that money and there will be less need for welfare programs.

The details need to be worked out, but there should be a standard rebate for anyone who is in the system. But at least with a VAT, nobody would be able to hide from their fair share. The more you buy, the more you pay (less the standard rebate). Those below the poverty level could end up paying zero.

But then there will the danger of creating a vast black market economy.

You're right ... there will be crooks no matter what :)