[jessduntno]

If we don’t repeal the 16th Amendment first, we could end up with both an income tax and a national sales tax. The politicians in Washington would love to have both sources of money. Several European governments have added a national sales tax on top of their federal income tax. The same trick could happen in America if we aren’t careful.

Fair tax advocates claim that it would get rid of the IRS but it would likely be replaced with another agency by a different name. The proposal promises that individuals under a certain income threshold would get some money back at the end of the year. Who would administer this? Unlike the flat tax, the fair tax as a replacement for the income tax has never been implemented in any country. We have no real world examples of what a fair tax would look like in action. Perhaps the fair tax isn’t as politically feasible as the flat tax. It’s important to remember that repealing a constitutional amendment requires the approval of 290 House members, 67 Senators and a majority of the legislatures in three-fourths of the states.

[Durus]

I prefer a flat tax, but I would take the fair tax. I’ll vote for a candidate that supports either.

[Durus]

We have no real world examples of what a fair tax would look like in action.

We had no idea what a constitutional republic where the government had strictly limited powers and was subordinate to the people would like either. Not the best argument that can be considered. "The world" isn't the best place to derive ideas on government, taxation, or pretty much anything important.

[hosepipe]

Anyone that wants a flat or fair tax.. is just begging for a VAT... in the current environment..
In case one does not not know what a VAT is.. is begging for out of control taxation..

A VAT is taxation on everything that moves or doesn’t move..
AND after all taxation is done.. there will be a tax on completion..

The next stage is paying the goverment rent for everything making taxes obsolete..
LIKE: you know.. property taxes.. as an example..

[Tuketu]

Congress not IRS has the various tax brackets, loopholes, etc. IRS could be called XYZ and we would have the same brackets, loopholes and Congressional corruption as we have now. We need Congressional Reform more than a new tax system. There will be no new tax system because CONGRESS LINES THEIR POCKTH THIS SYTEM!

[taxcontrol]

Tax COLLECTION is not the bigger problem. Revenue is already 19% of GDP and according to the Laffer curve, is about as much as can be gained by taxation.

The bigger problem is SPENDING. We are currently about 24% of GDP for spending and that needs to cut back to 18%. Anything else is rearrainging deck chairs.

[so_real]

Assume a flat tax with a percentage set where you are comfortable --- and roll the hands of time forward.

Watch as exceptions are legislated for classes of individuals based upon their race, gender, income, needs, etc. Watch as the "rich" are encouraged to pay their share by kicking in a little extra. Watch as government overspends making it necessary to raise the rate on everyone. Watch as you end up exactly where we are today.

I've done the research. I've read the book. I've been to the meetings. A number of our Founders favored a consumption tax. That's what the Fair Tax is. It's the best way to fix a broken system.

[Roninf5-1]

This is a false choice. There should no Federal taxes period. Money equals power and FEDGOV has to much of it. They should be limited to the funds they raise from excises and duties. If they need more money they should hold a Jerry Lewis telethon or a bake sale. If the people think its worth it they’ll give their money voluntarily.

[KarlInOhio]

Of the two I like the Fair Tax because it puts US and foreign production on the same footing. Foreign and multinational companies can currently set up their pricing structure and US subsidiaries so that very few profits are made in the US on imports putting US companies at a disadvantage. The Fair Tax sets the same taxes for foreign and domestic products.

The Fair Tax's biggest weakness is that it hits people a second time who have already earned money and paid taxes on it but saved rather than consumed at the time. Those who borrowed and spent will be essentially untaxed when they earn and pay off their debts. Also I think that untaxed black markets will pop up all over the place unless the IRS's replacement is stalking everywhere looking for untaxed sales.

[zerosix]

I wish to eliminate the IRS and do not support starting "some agency similar to it that concerns its self with how much I make.

There are far, far too many temptations for elected leaders to promise "exemptions" or "exclusions" in return for their vote.

Nope, totally eliminate the 16th Amendment, then move to the flat tax, as it is now, almost (some would say more) people pay NO income tax, no matter how much they earn, others are taxed on monies that they've already paid taxes on!!!

Time to shut this door once and for all IMHO!

[taxcutisapayraise]

I'm pro-Fair Tax and I vote.

The reason for the massive pages of current tax code is defining various “incomes” (capital gains, wages, deferred, etc ...) and how to “report” and calculate with numerous exemptions and on, and on, and on to the point that the IRS and millions of private tax accountants come up with different scenarios and solutions.

Plus, Uncle Sam still has his giant bureaucracy into your so-called “private” affairs. The proposed Flat Tax does not solve these issues rather is simply flattens them which arguable is better than what we have today.

With the Fair Tax, defining a “sale” is nowhere as difficult. But the big bonus is Uncle Sam won't be all up in your personal affairs.

Most states already have sales tax collection systems in place. Without going into great detail about the Fair Tax, I encourage one to read the Fair Tax Book for the particulars. Granted, there is a lot to argue about, but for me, the restoration of some personal financial privacy moves in the direction of liberty.

There is no secure way to “trust” politicians from legally enacting more government “greed,” but reading the Fair Tax Book answers many of these type of honest objections. We are only mere citizens ruled by the governing class. (If you don't believe that, just ask them). Our only strength is in numbers.

I believe many US citizens are witnessing an American revolution of rejecting the statist status-quo. Me, I am participating. Here is how: I am a Tea Party of One! I work to help other Tea Party individuals to politically restore our Constitutional Liberty. I fight against statist tyranny. I financially support FreeRepublic and I support the Fair Tax.

[hellbender]

Other than Herman Cain, who is backing the Fair Tax, has a single one of the Republican candidates made fundamental tax reform a key part of his platform? If not, why not? Either the Flat Tax or the Fair Tax would kill the present corrupt system and deprive hack career politicians of their power over the economy.

[StraightDave]

The FairTax replaces the Income Tax and...

* Ends - Filing income tax returns!
* Ends - IRS audits and fines!
* Ends - IRS costs of $500 billion/year!
* Ends - Tax code abuse by politicians!
* Ends - Tax free underground economy!
* Ends - Tax on businesses (more jobs)!

——— www.FAIRTAX.org ———

[GLDNGUN]

It's a good discussion to have to determine once and for all what is the most fair and moral taxation method or system. The source of all fairness and morality is God himself, so why not look to the ultimate source of truth. God required the individuals of the nation Israel to tithe. The word "tithe" comes from "tenth", meaning the Hebrews were commanded to give 10% of their income to the church/government which was one and the same at that time. So if a FLAT TAX is good enough for God and His chosen people, it ought to be good enough for everyone else.

Now if God wants 10%, any government wanting more than that is implying that it is more important than God. Of course liberals certainly want us to believe that government IS God (and it's certainly theirs) but in a perfect system, government flat tax should not equal or exceed 10%.

This assumes that people are tithing as well, to a church. Of course not everyone does this, but if they did, the churches could provide the "safety net" of esssentials (food, clothing, shelter, basic health care, education, job training) for those in need. I'm sure they would do a superior job as well compared to the government.

So how to get people to "tithe" to churches (or non-profit organizations providing these essentials) in addition to paying a low flat tax to the government? Easy. Make the flat tax rate 25% for those who do not "tithe". For those that do "tithe", they reduce their flat tax rate by $2 for every $1 they tithe to a church (or priviate charity that is providing for the poor) up to a maximum of 20% of their income. In other words, if someone gave 10% of their income to church/charity, then their flat tax rate would fall by double that amount (20%), making their flat tax rate 5%. Ultimately, this would mean they are out of pocket 15% of their income (as opposed to 25% if they didn't want to bother with "tithing").

A couple of other notes. God didn't have "deductions". It was a true FLAT rate of 10%. So, there would no deductions in this system, either. No mortgage deductions and no deductions for dependants. If you want 10 kids, great, but you still get to pay the same rate as everyone else. Secondly, NOBODY gets off "scott free". There is no "minimum". EVERYONE pays the tax/tithe. This would have a number of beneficial aspects. First, you don't get rewarded for hovering just below the "poverty line", because there will be no such thing. If you have to pay no matter how little you make, you might as well try to make as much as you can, which is beneficial to society instead of a drain. It's also good for the soul to give and contribute, so why rob anyone of that? Jesus said the widow making a meager donation at the temple was more blessed than the wealthy giving huge amounts. If she had been told "hey, you are poor and helpless, so don't give us anything, someone else will pick up your slack", she would have been robbed of her blessing.

Also, if you are contributing financially to something you are more likely to be watchful of how that money is being spent. How many Americans pay NO tax today? And how many of those Americans have no concern or interest in their government, other than getting their next check? Now, if all those people had to contribute instead of being on the dole, a lot of them would be much more interested in how their government operated and how their money was spent.

[editor-surveyor]

The flat tax is the only fair tax.

All sales taxes are regressive and subject to manipulation is myriad ways.

[Taxman]

Jump in, FairTaxers!

Let the debate begin anew!

[Taxman]

Jump in, FairTaxers!

Let the debate begin anew!

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

If you study the 16th passage, it was a total fraud anyway. Why do we need to repeal a fraud?

[paul51]

fair tax...only way to go. Scrap the IRS and the code and eliminate reporting of income or any other personal information.

[EternalVigilance]

If you walk out in the pasture, find a big fat cowpie, and flatten it, it’s still cow manure, and it still stinks.

The income tax itself is fundamentally flawed from its inception. You can’t fix it. It must be done away with if our posterity is to live in freedom and prosperity.

[xzins]

It is none of the government’s business what my income is. Nor should the government have the power to pick winners and losers. Nor should they have the power to reward and punish.

All of the above lead to corruption.