“Rather than demanding that Senate conservatives violate their consciences and support distortions in the tax code that increase spending and maintain Washington’s power over taxpayer’s lives, your organization should assist our efforts. Calling for the elimination of tax earmarks without qualifications would be a good start,” Coburn wrote. “Continuing to issue blanket defenses of all tax expenditures is a profoundly misguided embrace of progressive, activist government and a strategy for tax complexity, tax deferment, excessive spending and unsustainable deficits.” [The Hill]
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Omaha Mayor Proposes Crappy Idea to Fund Sewer Improvements
- Caleb Newquist
- March 24, 2011
Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle was at the U.S. Conference of Mayors this week to brainstorm solutions to various problems with his fellow hizzoners. Omaha, for one, needs to make improvements to its sewer system to the tune of $1.7 billion. So it makes perfect sense for Suttle to suggest a simple way to get to the source of this problem:
Among the items on his brainstorming list: a proposal for a 10-cent federal tax on every roll of toilet paper you buy. Based on the four-pack price for Charmin double rolls Tuesday at a midtown Hy-Vee, such a tax would add more than 10 percent to the per-roll price, pushing it over a buck.
But just because Scuttle is throwing this out there doesn’t mean he’s on board with it; he’s just come up with solutions:
The idea came from a failed 2009 House measure by an Oregon congressman to help cities and the environment. “I heard about it and said, ‘Well, this is simple. Let’s put it on the table,’” said Suttle. “It doesn’t mean I endorse it.
Suttle unrolls toilet paper tax [OWH via TaxProf]
Memo to “I’m-not-a-good-test-taker” Tax Preparers: The IRS Asks That You Take Their Competency Exam Sooner Rather Than Later
- Caleb Newquist
- June 6, 2012
No one is saying that you can't pass this thing, but if tests aren't your […]
How Do You Like VAT?
- Caleb Newquist
- March 31, 2011
[A]s globalization increases demand for a more competitive tax system, the United States must consider shifting from a system that primarily relies on income taxation to one that relies primarily on consumption taxation. Most other major economies around the world depend more heavily on consumption taxation than does the United States. And all indications are reliance on consumption taxes is increasing. [Martin Sullivan]