Research and analysis from influential think tanks… across the ideological spectrum
How high can it go? Form 1040 gains pages and complexity – but few fans, and that’s before many see their total taxes due. Ahead of the April 15th tax deadline, this article is a departure from our usual Think Tank Center report. It provides edited excerpts from a report by a quasi-think tank that specializes in tax payer issues. In fact it calls itself a “union.” Founded in 1969, the National Taxpayer’s Union is an “independent, non-partisan advocate for overburdened taxpayers.” As their website explains (www.ntu.org) their work goes beyond research, analysis, and reporting on a variety of tax matters and includes lobbying for tax reform on behalf of taxpayers. They are perhaps best classified as
a special interest advocacy group, but then again, what’s in a name? Their policy paper, A Taxing Trend: The Rise in Complexity, Forms, and Paperwork Burdens, excerpted on the next page, is a comprehensive look at how the federal income tax program, since the ratification of the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913, has grown increasingly complex and burdensome. It was originally just 4-pages long. Don’t believe that the 1040 form was ever just 4-pages long? Then ask the IRS. Or better yet, check out the copy they post online at: www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/1913.pdf.
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The “Tea Party” movement, for better or worse, is an example of just how dissatisfied many Americans are with the present situation. It’s estimated that 40% of the members of this growing movement are either Democrats or Independents, so it should not be considered partisan. As the NTU report, and the accompanying report by the Tax Foundation show, something will have to give, but meaningful and permanent tax reform is perhaps unlikely from today’s Congress. iStockphoto
Friday, April 09, 2010 www.topnewsandviews.com