Federal Proposals For Tax Reform

This publication is intended to provide for the non-specialist a fresh look at provincial tax reform options and opportunities. Part I begins with the basic principles of tax reform, considering alternative objectives and general options in tax design. Part II examines the current differences among provincial economic circumstances and the tax structures. Part III deals with the process and implications of federal tax reform, from the 1987 proposals to the GST draft legislation.

The President and leading Members of Congress have stated that fundamental tax reform is a major policy objective for the 112th Congress. Some Members have said that fundamental tax reform is needed in order to raise a large amount of additional revenue, which is necessary to reduce high forecast budget deficits and the sharply rising national debt. Congressional interest has been expressed in both a major overhaul of the U.S. tax system and the feasibility of levying a consumption tax. Some proponents of reform argue that the tax base should be broadened by reducing or eliminating many tax expenditures. An alternative to increasing tax revenues is cutting spending. Thus, Members are faced with considering the best mix of tax increases and spending cuts in order to reduce deficits and slow the growth of the national debt. This book examines major fiscal reform proposals for tax reform with a focus on business tax reform and the extension of the "Bust Tax Cuts".

The 1987 tax reform package considered.

The official account of the advisory panel formed by Presi-dent George W. Bush to identify major problems in the U.S.Federal Tax Code and to recommend options to make the codesimpler, fairer and more conducive to economic growth. Thepanel's report was submitted to U.S. Secretary of the Trea-sury John W. Snow on Nov. 1, 2005. Chaired by Connie MackIII, the panel recommended 2 reform options: the SimplifiedIncome Tax Plan & the Growth & Investment Tax Plan.

The urgency to undertake reform has increased over the past decade, as most major industrialized countries embarked on reforms that lowered individual and corporate tax rates, broadened tax bases, and increased emphasis on sales or value-added taxes. The White paper proposes these basic reforms and this document reviews the tax reforms' impact on individuals, and on business. Also reviews the possible effects on Canada's tax competitiveness with the US, the impact on government finances, and sales tax reform.

This document contains two papers which address the process of tax reform and its fiscal impacts on families at different levels of income. The first paper, which examines the tax reform process, argues that of the government's three primary objectives in tax reform (efficiency or tax neutrality, equity, and simplicity), concern with efficiency was dominant. The second paper focuses on the concern for tax equity.