[The consumption tax idea is] at great odds with the political center of the country, ... How do we get to a system that better encourages savings and investment, without creating a system that can be characterized as benefiting the rich? |
But that's not where the revenue comes from, |
For every couple that wins, there's one that loses. |
I don't think it changes the long-term timing of (tax reform). This was going to be next year's issue in any event, ... sitting out there for five or six months. |
It's hard to see how they overcome some of the intrusions onto really pretty sacred territory. |
My guess is the panel is playing with a couple of different ideas. One is some...reform of the current income tax system and the second is a value-added tax. |
The other thing it does is allow him to keep the focus on Social Security in the waning days of this Congress, ... If you put this proposal out at the end of July, the conversation shifts. |
The political problem is that a lot of the people who will benefit from the AMT being repealed don't know they have the problem yet, |
The political problem is that a lot of the people who will benefit from the AMT being repealed don't know they have the problem yet. |
There is zero chance any member of the Fortune 100 would ever pay corporate taxes ahead of time. Corporations do not have the slightest interest in paying corporate taxes early. They're not going to volunteer money to the government. |
This is a very complicated puzzle to try to piece together. |
You can argue that we're not going to do a lot with fundamental tax policy. |