[robertpaulsen]

"The critters will mess with the rates, the prebates, set up exemptions and all the rest."

They can increase the prebate 20% (in an election year, of course) without increasing the Fair Tax rate by simply declaring that the new poverty level is now 20% higher. Before you know it, poverty will be defined as income of $100,000 or less.

The proposed prebate is nothing more than a vote getter. As I demonstrated, it's not necessary to "offset" taxes for the poor. If they use it that way once, they'll use it that way again.

[xcamel]

All one would have to do is look at the SCHIP program for “children” - families > 250% of the poverty rate which is nearly $90 K, and “children” up to 25 years old qualify. (keep in mind there are places where 25 year olds are grandparents)

[Principled]

They can increase the prebate 20% (in an election year, of course) without increasing the Fair Tax rate...

Yes, they could - and I'd like that! But why would they?

If they increase the rebate everyone gets a tax cut...and so would everyone else!

...it's not necessary to "offset" taxes for the poor.

I agree - and the income tax does it, but the nrst doesn't. The nrst exempts ALL spending below poverty level for everyone rich and poor alike. Income is not related to the rebate on necessity spending.