[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              10 FOR 60 RESOLUTION REAL TAX REFORM IN 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the ``10 for 60'' 
Resolution. My resolution directs the Internal Revenue Service and 
Congress to begin this year the process of cutting in half the time 
that it takes the average taxpayer to file their tax returns. As the 
first step, the ``10 for 60'' Resolution calls for 10 changes in law or 
regulation this year to cut 60 minutes from tax preparation time. The 
``10 for 60'' Resolution intends that these proposals should be revenue 
neutral and should focus on changes that benefit as large a group of 
taxpayers as possible.
  Today, it takes too long for the average taxpayer to file their 
taxes. In fact, the American taxpayer is taxed twice. Not only do we 
pay our taxes, but our time is taxed as well. At this time of year, 
instead of spending time with our families, working around the home, or 
just taking a break, we spend hour after hour punching numbers into a 
calculator, trying to decipher IRS directions and tables, and searching 
through our financial records to find that last receipt for a 
charitable contribution that we made.
  According to the IRS, this annual spring exercise will take the 
average taxpayer 15 hours and 47 minutes to prepare and file a typical 
tax return (Form 1040 and Schedules A and B). Add in other forms, such 
as Schedule C, the business profit and loss schedule, and the total 
time for tax compliance can be in excess of 30 hours.
  There are plenty of examples of ways that we can simplify tax code 
now. The mileage deduction was intended to help not only those with 
business expenses, but individuals with medical, charitable and moving 
travel costs. However, the tax code contains three separate 
reimbursement rates for travel. Why should a taxpayer be required to 
keep three separate records for using the same car?
  The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), designed to help low income 
families and reward work, is good policy. In fact, an analysis by the 
non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, reveals that the 
EITC ``lifts more children out of poverty than any other government 
program.'' Yet, this single credit has been changed twelve times in the 
past 20 years. The credit contains nine eligibility standards and could 
require one checklist, two worksheets, one schedule and a normal 1040 
to complete.
  Congress has many ideas on tax reform or changes. At last count, over 
600 separate bills to amend the Internal Revenue Code have been 
introduced in this Congress. These proposals range from broad reform to 
very narrow modifications. The major proposals, a flat tax or a 
national sales tax, do have hidden repercussions. While some taxpayers 
may like the idea of simplifying the tax code, they do not support the 
elimination of crucial deductions, like the home mortgage interest 
deduction or the charitable contribution nor do they support the 
taxation of worker fringe benefits like health insurance coverage or 
taxing services like a free checking account. Furthermore, true 
simplification should make the tax law understandable and workable, 
deflecting wholesale, imprudent changes while retaining sound, proven 
tax policies.
  Congress should focus on what the taxpayers really need--true tax 
simplification. Concrete proposals already exist to simplify the 
existing tax code with minimal revenue changes. The House included in 
the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act the requirement that any new tax 
legislation include a complexity analysis before enactment. Why not 
apply such an analysis to existing provisions of law?
  Tax simplification this year is an achievable goal but not if 
Congress gets bogged down in debating unrealistic proposals to abolish 
the tax code or initiate other radical changes. These are Trojan horses 
being advanced as tax simplification. It is time to address real tax 
simplification as more than a rhetorical tool and to make it a policy 
priority. My ``10 for 60'' resolution places the American taxpayer, not 
politics, first by focusing on real, attainable tax simplification for 
this year. My resolution gives everyone something they need more of--
time. I hope that my Colleagues will join with me in making tax 
simplification a reality in 1998.

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