Tax Reform
Tax reform is the process of changing the way taxes are collected or managed by the government. Tax reformers have different goals. Some seek to reduce the level of taxation of all people by the government. Some seek to make the tax system more/less progressive in its effect. Some may be trying to make the tax system more understandable, or more accountable. Many organizations have been set up to reform tax systems worldwide, often with the intent to reform Income taxes or Value Added Taxes into something considered more economically liberal. Other propose tax systems that attempt to deal with externalities.
Joseph Biden on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports the Earned Income Tax Credit; Wants to fix Alternate Minimum Tax. |
| Description: |
From Biden's campaign site: Joe Biden helped millions escape poverty with the Earned Income Tax Credit. He would fix the Alternative Minimum Tax providing relief to millions of middle-income Americans. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Fiscal Responsibility (9/24/07)
Some of his tax ideas |
| 2. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"Warren -- Warren Buffett is right. I would eliminate the tax cut for the wealthy. They didn't ask for it, as someone earlier said. They don't need it. They're as patriotic as anyone else if you ask them, and we've asked nothing of them. The second point is, understand what happened this last election, in 2000. The first time in our history since we had the federal income tax, there was a fundamental shift of the burden from (sic) people who are wage earners away from people who are investors. For the first time in our history, we're in a position where those who are the wage-earners are paying a bigger chunk than they should. It's got to shift back, and the basis for them doing that is they really believe the wealthy know better. They think we don't know how -- average folks don't know how to make the economy work. It's all about their ideology. It's got to fundamentally change. You have to tax investment and you've got to give a break, a break to wage-earners." |
Sam Brownback on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports an alternative flat tax |
| Description: | Senator Sam Brownback supports an alternative flat tax option for people to choose instead of the current tax code system. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"I'd put forward an alternative flat tax and allow people to choose between the current tax code system, which doesn't work, which I'll be taking behind the barn and killing with a dull ax, and an alternate flat tax and let them choose." |
Hillary Clinton on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Increase taxes on the wealthy |
| Description: | Senator Hillary Clinton supports increasing taxes on the wealthy. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"Well, I clearly think that our economy was working a lot better in the 1990s. We had the creation of 22 million new jobs, a balanced budget and a surplus. And certainly when the Bush administration came in, they were determined to tilt the balance back toward the privileged. We are paying a very big price for this, because middle-class and working families are paying a much higher percentage of their income. That was Warren Buffett's position, that he pays about 17 percent, because don't forget, it's the payroll tax plus the income tax. And when you cut off the contribution at $90,000, $95,000, that's a lot of money between 95,000 (dollars) and the 46 million (dollars) that Warren Buffett made last year. And he's honest enough to say, look, tax me, because I'm a patriotic American and I want to make sure our country stays strong and is fair. So, yes, we have to change the tax system, and we've got to get back to having those with the most contribute to this country." |
John Cox on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Eliminate the IRS; Implement a fair tax |
| Description: | I want to eliminate the IRS. Taxing income is wrong.I support the Fair Tax. Eliminate the "death tax," and will veto all tax increase proposals. - John Cox |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Tax Policy (9/9/07)
I want to eliminate the IRS. Our tax system is counterproductive, too complicated and time consuming. Taxing income is inherently wrong, and stunts economic growth. That is why I support the Fair Tax, which has been introduced in the Congress as HR25 and S25. As president, I will seek to eliminate the "death tax," and will veto all tax increase proposals. |
John Edwards on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | increase tax rate to 28% for income over $250,000 |
| Description: | John Edwards supports increasing the capital gains rate for the wealthy. His plan calls for increasing the rate from 15% to 28% for individuals who make more than $250,000. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"Well, I think we have -- in fact, I've heard Warren Buffett himself talk about the genetic lottery that we have in America, where, you know, the family you're born into has an awful lot to do with what happens with your life. And what we want to do, I think, is live in an America where, no matter who your family is or what the color of your skin or where you're born, everybody gets the same chance to do well. And people who have done well ought to have more responsibility to pay back to the country and to the community and those around them. I think there are at least a couple things we need to do. First, we need to get rid of George Bush's tax cuts for rich people -- (applause) -- which have distorted the tax system in America. I would use that money to pay for universal health care, to make sure everyone's covered. But the second problem that he's talking about is, we have a capital gains rate, 15 percent, which is the rate that most pay on their investment income, like Warren Buffett, that's significantly lower than the tax rate that his secretary pays." |
| 2. |
John Edwards - Q&A: A Response for Giuliani (7/31/07)
John Edwards discusses how the capital gains tax taxes rich people less. So he proposes raising the capital gains tax to 28% from 15% for people who earn more than $250,000. |
| 3. |
John Edwards: Union Man (10/15/07)
"Our tax system needs to be such that it honors and respects work as well as capital, because that's the way most people earn their living." - John Edwards |
Rudolph Giuliani on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports adjusting the alternative minimum tax |
| Description: | Mayor Rudolph Giuliani supports adjusting the alternative minimum tax and has talked about eliminating the death tax. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"We have to adjust the AMT. That has to be reduced. We have to get rid of the death tax, which is going to go to zero in 2010, which is going to create an incentive -- I can't imagine what kind of an incentive it's going to create. It's going to go to zero in 2010. And then in 2011, it's going to go to 55 percent. And we have to make sure that the tax cuts that went into effect, that that level remains. Otherwise, we're going to have one of the biggest tax increases in history in 2011." |
Mike Gravel on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Implement the |
| Description: | "Our present income tax is corrupt, no one understands it, and lobbyists make sure their clients are taken care of by the expense of the individual. The Fair Tax has total transparency and fairness, and that's what we lack at our present system," said Gravel. "This will change the country from a consumer society to a savings society." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
U.S. Senator Gravel discusses campaign as Democratic Presidential hopeful (9/24/07)
"Our present income tax is corrupt, no one understands it, and lobbyists make sure their clients are taken care of by the expense of the individual. (The FairTax) has total transparency and fairness, and that's what we lack at our present system," said Gravel. "This will change the country from a consumer society to a savings society." |
| 2. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"I want to say that none of you are going to live in your lifetime to see our system of taxation change, based upon what you've heard here. I was -- (laughter) -- I was eight years on the Finance Committee -- none of them have served on that committee -- and I'll tell you, the code stands that high and there's not a human being alive that understands it. And it's with Democrats, with Republicans, they take care of the people. Do you think it's accident that all of a sudden we wake up, that the wealthy aren't paying a fair share? The only way they're going to pay a fair share is wipe out the income tax -- it is corrupt, it's corrupting our society -- (applause) -- and begin to put in place a tax that everybody will know what everybody's paying, and that's a retail sales tax. And you can make it as progressive as you want. Keep in mind, a tax where everybody will know what everybody is paying." |
Chuck Hagel on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports permanent tax cuts and eliminating the estate tax |
| Description: | Hagel supported the President's tax cut initiatives in 2001 and 2003 and supports making them permanent. He also has co-sponsored legislation for 10 years that would eliminate the estate tax. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Issues: Taxes (8/14/07)
Senator Hagel supported the President's tax cut initiatives in 2001 and 2003 and supports making them permanent. Senator Hagel has co-sponsored legislation for 10 years that would eliminate the estate tax. |
Mike Huckabee on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Close IRS and implement a fair tax |
| Description: | Governor Mike Huckabee supports closing the Internal Revenue Service an doing away with income tax. He instead supports a fair tax which in his words "would eliminate not just the alternative minimum tax, personal income tax, corporate tax, it would eliminate all the various taxes that are hidden in our system, and Americans don't realize what they're paying." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"Well, I cut taxes 94 times as governor, but I realize tinkering with it doesn't work. I'd overhaul it. I would work for the fair tax, which meets the four criteria: flatter, fairer, finite, family friendly. We'd get rid of the IRS. We're get rid of all capital gains, income, corporate. And we'd have a consumption tax. The fair tax proposal, I believe, offers the best opportunity for all levels of Americans." |
| 2. |
Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07)
"Well, the simplest way is an active fair tax. That's the first thing I'd love to do as president, put a "Going Out of Business" sign on the Internal Revenue Service and stop the $10 billion a year that it costs just for them to operate. If we had a fair tax, it would eliminate not just the alternative minimum tax, personal income tax, corporate tax, it would eliminate all the various taxes that are hidden in our system, and Americans don't realize what they're paying. It wouldn't be a revenue increase or a revenue decrease, revenue neutral. But it also enables people at the lowest end of the economic spectrum to have a chance to reach the next rung on the ladder. It's the best proposal that we ought to have, because it's flatter, it's fairer, it's finite, it's family-friendly. And instead what we've done is what Senator McCain has suggested. We've had Congress that's spent money like Edwards at a beauty shop. (Laughter.) And it's high time that we have a different kind of tax structure, and the fair tax would get us there." |
| 3. |
2008 DMR/ IPTV IA Republican Debate (Part 2) (12/20/07)
He claims the Fair Tax could make the poor people rich and keep the rich people rich. |
Duncan Hunter on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports eliminating manufacturing taxes and implementing the Fair Tax; also supports tariffs on imports from China |
| Description: |
Congressman Duncan Hunter supports eliminating manufacturing taxes for corporations that stay in the U.S. and hire American workers. He also supports tariffs on Chinese imports to keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Hunter wants to eliminate the IRS and implement a Fair Tax which would act as a national sales tax to replace the income tax. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Hunter on a mission to bolster defense (9/24/07)
On the campaign trail, Hunter also touts a roster of conservative positions, working to outlaw abortion and supporting gun rights, school vouchers, a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman and the so-called Fair Tax, a national retail sales tax to replace the income tax. |
| 2. |
Core Priniciples (9/24/07)
Changes in the tax code I would implement to help families: I believe our current tax code is full of antiquated policies that were installed for a specific reason and for a specific time, but never removed. For example, the Federal Telephone Excise Tax was first enacted in 1898 to help pay for the Spanish-American War when telephones were considered a "luxury." While this tax was initially applied to long-distance service, it was later extended to general phone service in 1941 and currently applies to all telecommunication services, which include standard and wireless telephone services, as well as computer Internet connections. This tax unfairly targets Americans that rely on telephone service as a primary means of communication. For those on fixed incomes, including our nation's elderly and disabled, it is often difficult to avoid excessive telecommunication charges, especially in today's information age. These types of taxes are indicative of a much larger problem; the current tax code is unnecessarily confusing and complicated, causing taxpayers to spend more than six billion hours every year on paperwork and other bureaucratic requirements. On average, $200 billion a year goes uncollected in federal taxes and taxpayers pay in excess of $5 billion a year to identify and prosecute tax evaders. Clearly, major tax reform is necessary. I have consistently supported efforts to reform the tax code, making it simpler, fairer, and more growth oriented. By replacing our current convoluted and fraud-ridden system with more simplified tax requirements, I believe we will be able to meet the dual goals of providing core government services and returning much needed income back to our families. |
| 3. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"Absolutely. Chris, you know, right now our manufacturers are getting killed. We're seeing manufacturing move offshore because a dumb trade deal that we signed with the rest of the world allows all of our exports to be taxed twice while their exports to us are not taxed at all. The only way that we can even come close to leveling that playing field is to eliminate manufacturing taxes. So eliminate all taxes on Americans who will stay in the United States and make products and hire American workers." |
Dennis Kucinich on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Increase taxes on the wealthy |
| Description: | Representative Dennis Kucinich supports increasing taxes on the wealthy. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"There's three questions involved here: What are we taxed? Who is paying? And how are our tax dollars spent? Right now we know that those who are in the highest brackets are not paying a fair share. We understand that. And we also understand that a lot of these corporations are taking their business offshore so they can offshore their profits and escape paying tens of billions of dollars in taxation. And we also know that our tax dollars right now are being spent overwhelmingly on war and military buildup. I want to see a new direction. (Applause.) I want to see the wealthy pay their fair sure. I want to make sure that these corporations have to -- if they have an American name, they have to pay taxes here, and I want to see the end of war as an instrument of policy." |
John McCain on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Make recent tax cuts permanent and "rein in spending" |
| Description: | Senator John McCain supports keeping President Bush's 2001 tax cuts and "rein in spending" to offset the decrease in revenue. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"I'd give the president of the United States the line- item veto on these bills as well as spending bills. The alternative minimum tax is obviously eating Americans alive, and it's got to be repealed. Another one -- another one I think is important is a $3,000 tax credit for people to be able to purchase health insurance. So low- income Americans will have access to health care, which is an amazing and difficult problem today. And a simpler, flatter, fair tax so that Americans don't have to spend $140 billion, as they just did last April, to prepare their tax returns." |
| 2. |
Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/4/07)
"Well, first of all, I didn't say that I was wrong. I said that the reason why I opposed those tax cuts was because we didn't rein in spending. And the fact is the tax cuts have dramatically increased revenues. If we don't make them permanent, then every business, farm and family in America will have to adjust their budgets to what is in effect a tax increase. In 2001, I proposed massive tax cuts, but I also proposed to rein in spending. Spending is out of control. We didn't lose the 2006 election because of the war in Iraq; we lost it because we in the Republican Party came to Washington to change government and government changed us. We let spending go out of control. We spent money like a drunken sailor, although I never knew a sailor drunk or sober with the imagination of my colleagues. By the way, I received -- (laughter) -- I received an e-mail not long ago from a fellow who said -- I repeat this story -- "As a former drunken sailor, I resent the way that Congress continues being compared to members of Congress." (Laughter, applause.)" |
| 3. |
2008 DMR/ IPTV IA Republican Debate (Part 2) (12/20/07)
"We need to reform the tax code. Nobody trusts it, nobody understands it, nobody believes in it, and we have to fix it." - McCain. |
Barack Obama on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Undo Bush tax cuts |
| Description: | Senator Barack Obama would like to undo tax cuts administered under the Bush administration to "pay for universal health care and other initiatives." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Obama Record May Be Gold Mine For Critics (9/24/07)
Even when he was in the political minority, Obama sometimes played a critical role. He helped write one of the rare ethics laws in a state known for government corruption and worked on welfare reform with Republicans. |
| 2. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"There's no doubt that the tax system has been skewed. And the Bush tax cuts -- people didn't need them, and they weren't even asking for them, and that's why they need to be less, so that we can pay for universal health care and other initiatives. But I think this goes to a broader question, and that is, are we willing to make the investments in genuine equal opportunity in this country? People aren't looking for charity, and one of the distressing things sometimes when we have a conversation about race in America is that we talk about welfare and we talk about poverty, but what people really want is fairness. They want people paying their fair share of taxes. (Applause.) They want that money allocated fairly. One of the distressing things about Katrina was the fact -- not only that the Bush administration did not -- (audio break from source) -- before the hurricane struck, and that is because we have not made systematic investments. And the only way we're going to make it is by making sure that those of us who are fortunate enough to have the money actually make a contribution for all the programs that we've been talking about tonight." |
Ron Paul on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Eliminate Income Tax |
| Description: | Representative Ron Paul would eliminate income tax. He has stated he would consider voting for a fair tax. His plan calls for reducing the government's role in foreign affairs to offset the reduction in taxes. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, South Carolina (8/5/07)
"Well, the lower the taxes the better, and I think cutting taxes would be beneficial. But we should find places where we could cut spending as well, because eventually a deficit can be very, very harmful to us." |
| 2. |
Ron Paul Rally, SC, 7/21/07 - Abolish Fed, Repeal Income Tax (7/30/07)
Repeal income tax |
| 3. |
Ron Paul on Taxes (7/30/07)
Wants to repeal income tax but would support fair tax. Possibly replace income tax with import tax and/or sales tax. |
| 4. |
Ron Paul on CNBC 2004 - UnConstitutional Income Tax (7/30/07)
Does not believe income tax is legal and that it should be changed. |
| 5. |
California Republican debate transcript (7/30/07)
"If you think that government has to take care of us, from cradle to grave, and if you think our government should police the world and spend hundreds of billions of dollars on a foreign policy that we cannot manage, you can't (ph) get rid of the IRS; but, if you want to lower taxes and if you want the government to quit printing the money to come up with shortfall and cause all the inflation, you have to change policy." |
| 6. |
California Republican debate transcript (7/30/07)
"Well, in my first week, I already got rid of the income tax. In my second week, I would get rid of the inflation tax. It's a tax that nobody talks about. We live way beyond our means, with a foreign policy we can't afford, and an entitlement system that we have encouraged. We print money for it. The value of the money goes down, and poor people pay higher prices. That is a tax. That's a transfer of wealth from the poor and the middle class to Wall Street. Wall Street's doing quite well, but the inflation tax is eating away at the middle class of this country. We need to get rid of the inflation tax with sound money." |
| 7. |
Final Vote Results For Roll Call 472 (7/30/07)
Voted yes to tax relief and simplification |
Bill Richardson on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Undo Bush tax cuts and give tax cuts to the middle class |
| Description: | Governor Bill Richardson would repeal tax cuts administered by the Bush administration and give tax cuts to the middle class. Furthermore, he would give tax credits to businesses who pay above the prevailing wage and "if they train people in the inner city." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Transcript of the Third Democratic Primary Presidential Debate (8/1/07)
"There's no question -- there's no question that there's tax unfairness in this country, but we have to rebuild the economy. Yes, the Bush tax cuts of 2 percent; that has to go. But I would replace those Bush tax cuts with tax cuts for the middle class. (Scattered applause.) I would reward companies that pay over the prevailing wage, that go into the inner cities, that go into rural areas. I would also have tax-free holidays for technology start-ups -- three years, if they train people in the inner city, if they hire people over the prevailing wage. We need to rebuild this economy by being pro-growth Democrats. We should be the party of innovation, of entrepreneurship, of building capital, getting capital for African American small businesses. We need to find a way in this country that we say that globalization must work for the middle class." |
Mitt Romney on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports zero rate on capital gains for middle-income Americans |
| Description: | Governor Mitt Romney supports a zero rate on capital gains for middle-income Americans. At the May 3, 2007 republican debate, Governor Romney said "I like middle-income Americans to be able to save their money and not have to pay any tax at all on interests, dividends or capital gains." |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"I like middle-income Americans to be able to save their money and not have to pay any tax at all on interests, dividends or capital gains. And by the way, we're all talking about... A zero rate on capital gains for middle-income Americans. And by the way, we're all talking about how anxious we are to veto overspending. I was a governor. I've done it hundreds of times. I can't wait to get my hands on Washington's budget." |
| 2. |
2008 DMR/ IPTV IA Republican Debate (Part 2) (12/20/07)
There is a large burden on the middle income bracket and that is what we need to work on reducing. |
| 3. |
Romney's Speech: Conservatives Take Heart (10/21/07)
"I went after taxes as well. The Legislature passed a $250 million retroactive capital gains tax increase. I knew my veto would be overridden by the 85% Democrat majority. So I had the Department of Revenue send every taxpayer a pro forma bill for their new higher taxes, and then I waited for folks to call their legislators. And did they ever. Then, I sent the Legislature an amendment that turned the $250 million tax increase into a $250 million refund. Amazingly, the Legislature now saw the error of their ways." - Mitt Romney |
Tom Tancredo on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Supports fair tax |
| Description: | Representative Tom Tancredo supports the fair tax. He also supports repealing the 16th Amendment to prevent a dual consumption tax and income tax. |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Republican Debate Transcript, Simi Valley California, May 3, 2007 (8/6/07)
"For all the reasons mentioned by some of my colleagues, I absolutely support the fair tax. It has to be accompanied, however, with the repeal of the 16th Amendment or we'd end up with a consumption tax and an income tax. And all this talk about vetoing spending bills and how that's going to solve our problem -- let me tell you, my friends, you can veto all the spending bills you want. You will not touch the deficit until you actually deal with the structural problem in mandatory spending. That's where all the money is. You can veto every one of the bills that come to you as discretionary funding, including the military, if you want." |
Fred Thompson on Tax Reform
More on this candidate
| Stance: | Abolish the IRS and implement a new tax code |
| Description: |
The U.S. tax code is broken and a burden on U.S. taxpayers and businesses, large and small. Today's tax code is particularly hostile to savings and investment, and it shows. To make matters worse, its complexity is a drag on our productivity and economic growth. Moreover, taxpayers spend billions of dollars and untold hours each year filling out complicated tax returns, just so they can send more money to Washington, much of it for wasteful programs and the pet projects of special interests. We need lower taxes, and we need to let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars - they know best where and how to spend them. And we need to make the system simpler and fairer for all. To ensure America's long term prosperity and economic security, I am committed to: 1. Fundamental tax reform built on the principles of simplicity, fairness, and growth. 2. A new tax code that gets the government out of our citizens pocketbooks, while enhancing U.S. competitiveness abroad. 3. Dissolution of the IRS as we know it. -From the Fred Thompson Campaign Website |
| Citations: |
| 1. |
Tax Reform (9/24/07)
The U.S. tax code is broken and a burden on U.S. taxpayers and businesses, large and small. Today's tax code is particularly hostile to savings and investment, and it shows. To make matters worse, its complexity is a drag on our productivity and economic growth. Moreover, taxpayers spend billions of dollars and untold hours each year filling out complicated tax returns, just so they can send more money to Washington, much of it for wasteful programs and the pet projects of special interests. We need lower taxes, and we need to let taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned dollars - they know best where and how to spend them. And we need to make the system simpler and fairer for all. To ensure America's long term prosperity and economic security, I am committed to: * Fundamental tax reform built on the principles of simplicity, fairness, and growth. * A new tax code that gets the government out of our citizens' pocketbooks, while enhancing U.S. competitiveness abroad. * Dissolution of the IRS as we know it. |
 |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|||||||||
Close Window
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||