The nation’s chief tax collector made a rare plea for overhauling the nation’s tax laws, saying the Internal Revenue Service is eager ‘to do whatever we can’ to help Congress simplify the tax code.”
John Koskinen, who rarely discusses the nation’s tax policy, told reporters the IRS needs to be involved in tax reform discussion to make sure the “simplication really is simple.” According to Koskinen, the two issues most in need of an overhaul are the taxation of American companies doing business abroad and the alternative minimum tax.
Koskinen also said it was a mistake to attempt to reform the multitudes of tax credits, deductions, and exemptions one by one. He likened that approach to fighting a “guerrilla war” with special interests. He indicated he would prefer to tackle tax reform all at once. He said “the advantage of doing it all at once is that the lobbyists can’t all get in the door at the same time.”
The last major tax reform of the nation’s tax code occurred in 1986.
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Teaching Suggestions
You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to
- Point out how complex the IRS tax code is for both individuals and businesses.
- Help students determine if they should file their own tax return or pay a professional.
- Discuss the need for tax reform in order to create a simpler method of collecting the money needed to operate the government.
Discussion Questions
- Given your current situation, would you file your own tax return or would you use a professional?
- While everyone agrees the U.S. tax code is too complex and too confusing, major reform is unlikely. What are the obstacles to tax reform and why can’t Congress take steps to create a simpler tax code?
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