"We can do things, here in this house today, that guarantee a better economy in years to come." - Rep. Rob Woodall

"Years" Until Tax Reform? Your Choice!

In his February 11, 2012 New York Times story, “A Year of Tax-Code Reckoning, “ author Jonathan Weisman details a worsening political struggle impacting every American taxpayer and the U.S. economy:

“Taxpayers struggling with their 2011 returns can take a little solace in the knowledge that change is coming — though it may be accompanied by increasing tax bills. For two decades, politicians have promised — and failed — to overhaul the tax code to make it simpler and fairer.”

The current tax code harms our nation in countless ways and nobody knows this more than hardworking Americans struggling with smaller paychecks and increasing taxes. In fact, “just 16% disagree with the idea of a simpler tax code replacing our existing one.”

“We the People” get it. But do the men and women we send to Congress to represent us? Well, they claim they do. 

Senator Orrin Hatch, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Finance Committee told Weisman, “Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, independents all believe our tax code is broken.”  

Yet the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Tim Geithner told the same Senate Finance committee that it would likely take “years” to reform our tax code.

Why? According to Weisman:  “…the two political parties remain far apart. Republicans say a simpler code should not bring in more revenue than the current one, except perhaps by spurring economic growth… Democrats want to preserve the progressivity of the tax code, ensuring that the rich pay a larger share of the total tax bill and that the poor and middle class pay no more…”

There is a tax replacement solution that will satisfy both the Republicans and the Democrats. It increases revenue through spurring economic growth and is voluntarily progressive!

As Americans for Fair Taxation Co-Founder and CEO Leo Linbeck, Jr. advised members of the Congressional “Super” Committee, “the FairTax is the one plan which best fulfills the promise of reform fit for economic recovery in the 21^st century. The FairTax did not emerge as a political level; rather, it was developed, researched and funded by American citizens who searched for an improvement to our tax system.”

The FairTax is the only tax plan that ensures that everyone pays their fair share in taxes; no exceptions, no exemptions, and no loopholes.

Best of all, it’s not just an idea but has actual legislation pending in the House (H.R. 25) and Senate (S. 13)!

So how do we move the most well researched tax reform legislation in history through an uncaring or unwilling Congress? That’s up to you.

Make sure you regularly tell your Representatives that you support replacing our tax code through passage of the FairTax. Make sure they clearly understand that it is important to you that your elected officials also support the FairTax.  Did you know that in election years your Representatives are especially sensitive to what you think? 

Your communication should include regular calls, letters, emails, and Twitter and Facebook messages.  Make sure your voice is heard and heard often!

Thank you!

The FairTax Picture of the Week

Grant Swanson writes: I have this magnet on the back of my truck. I am getting many readers in my rear view mirror at "red lights". Lots of "thumbs ups".

FairTax.org Staff Spotlight

We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Michele Driver for her service to the FairTax as our Comptroller. Even through long nights of work and short schedules, her cheerfulness and dedication were an inspiration. Our organization is stronger because of her efforts and we wish her the very best as she moves to a different career field. Thank you Michele!

The FairTax in the News

FairTax seems like a simple choice – PostBulletin

We all have to make tough choices in life. Choosing between the current income tax and the FairTax is not that tough. How would you like to get your entire paycheck, for an immediate 10 percent raise, maybe more?

How would you like to never have to file another income tax form for the rest of your life? How would you like to see a number for the cost of running the federal government on every cash register receipt?

How would you like to see trillions of dollars returned to the U.S. from Switzerland, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, etc. to jump start the economy and restore "Made in America?"…

- David Boone, Houston, MN

Federal tax system needs overhaul – Lacrosse Tribune

Our income tax system is the most fundamental interface we have with our government. Yet in this most fundamental interface with government, we don’t understand the tax system.

The tax code consists of some 70,000 pages. It has been estimated we spend $900 per person each year complying with the tax code. That’s a total of about $265 billion each year…

We can leave our children and grandchildren something better. The Fair Tax organization has drafted bills for both the House and the Senate, H.R. 25 and S.13. The Fair Tax organization has sufficient support that there have been committee hearings on these bills.

- Don Fiegen, La Crescent, MN

The February FairTax Webinar

With Special Topic: Actual Dollars the FairTax Puts in Your Pocket Compared to Our Current Tax Code

When: Thursday, February 23, 2012

Time: 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain,  5 pm Pacific

Where: At your personal computer anywhere!

Why: To provide an interactive forum for people who cannot get to local meetings to learn about the FairTax and to present special topics that are frequently misunderstood or not generally discussed.

Who: Join Marc Manieri, Americans for Fair Taxation Community Coordinator in the Greater Orlando, Florida area. In their third year now, Marc’s webinars draw national participation from seasoned FairTax supporters as well as those just getting introduced to the FairTax.