If Republicans and pro-growth Democrats had their wits about them, they would push the flat tax. The need for a simple flat tax was underscored recently by the comprehensive tax reform plan released by the outgoing chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, Dave Camp (R–Mich.). The chairman decided to work with the existing tax code and has attempted to change this monster into something that encourages more economic growth. He deserves all the plaudits possible for his heroic effort. THE GOOD, THE BAD … Under Camp’s plan tax rates for individuals and corporations would be reduced; the hideous alternative minimum tax would be abolished; a lot of deductions would be swept away, phased out or modified; and the number of individual tax brackets would be reduced from seven to three. An estimated 95% of tax filers would be able to use the standard deduction form instead of having to itemize deductions. Much simpler! There are, however, flaws, especially regarding capital gains and dividends, where the federal tax burden—already far too high—goes up a tad. … AND THE REALLY UGLY But what you really need to know is that Camp’s impressive effort to simplify the tax code runs almost 1,000 pages. Lobbyists and trade associations are already lining up to amend the proposal. And given its complexity, this bill is ripe for mischief. One of all too many examples: S corps and limited liability companies, whose profits are passed through to their owners as personal income. Under Camp’s plan this income would be declared “production” income, with tax rates capped at 25%.
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