Tax Reform Recommendations

The Baldwin County Alabama Political Discussion Club (predecessor group to Citizens for Responsible Government), consisting of Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians, reached agreement on nine tax reform principles that should apply to the U.S. tax system:

 1. The federal tax burden should be distributed to taxpayers based on ability to pay.

 2. Federal taxes should not be designed so as to drive people who are in poverty further into poverty, or to take families who are above the poverty level and drive them down below the poverty level.

 3. To the maximum extent possible during good economic times, the costs of government should be paid out of current tax revenues, rather than borrowed funds.  

 4. If people object to the level of taxes, they should seek ways to reduce spending rather than cutting taxes and go on with the same level of spending using borrowed funds.

 5. There should be as few tax breaks and loopholes as possible.

 6. Taxation should not be used as a means to dictate behavior.  An example is high taxes on tobacco to discourage smoking.

 7. Everyone should be required to pay their fair share of taxes.

 8. The tax code should be uncomplicated.

 9. Income received from all sources (except inheritance) should be subject to the income tax.

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