[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 TAXES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Madam Speaker, today, tax day, is the most stressful 
day of the year for taxpayers. April 15th is a day filled with 
aggravation and frustration as hard working Americans are confronted 
with piles of forms, confusing instructions, and the prospect of 
turning their hard-earned money over to the government. In 1935, the 
1040 tax form contained two pages of instructions, today it is 155 
pages, forcing Americans to devote a tremendous amount of resources to 
try to comply with this monstrosity. In fact, Americans will devote an 
estimated 7.7 billion hours complying with the tax code, and will spend 
an estimated $29.33 billion on tax software, preparers, and other 
expenses related to filing their taxes.
  Over the past year, we have seen citizens from around the nation 
express their frustration about this nefarious tax code. Taxpayers have 
pleaded with Congress to be better stewards of their money and reform 
our broken tax code. The tax code Americans are forced to comply with 
discourages savings and investment, and is impossibly complex. It has 
become all too clear that the current code is broken beyond repair and 
cannot be fixed so we must start over.
  I understand the frustrations of taxpayers and I have introduced H.R. 
982, the Tax Code Termination Act, which will force Congress to finally 
address fundamental tax reform. This legislation, with 115 bipartisan 
cosponsors, will abolish the tax code by December 2012, and call on 
Congress to approve a new federal tax system by July of the same year.
  While almost every Member of Congress would recognize that our tax 
code is no longer working in a fair manner for Americans, nothing has 
been done to create a more equitable tax code. Congress won't act on 
fundamental tax reform unless it is forced to do so. My bill will force 
Congress to finally debate and address fundamental tax reform.
  Once this bill becomes law, today's oppressive tax code would survive 
for only three more years, at which time it would expire and be 
replaced with a new tax code that will be determined by Congress, the 
President, and the American people. This legislation will allow us, as 
a nation, to collectively decide what the new tax system should look 
like. Having a date-certain to end the current tax code will force the 
issue to the top of the national agenda.
  Although many questions remain about the best way to reform our tax 
system, I am certain that if Congress is forced to address the issue we 
can create a tax code that is simpler, fairer, and better for our 
economy than the one we are forced to comply with today.
  Whichever tax system is adopted, the key ingredients should be: a low 
rate for all Americans; tax relief for working people; protection of 
the rights of taxpayers and reduction in tax collection abuses; 
promotion of savings and investment; and encouragement of economic 
growth and job creation.
  Taxes may be unavoidable but they don't have to be unfair and 
overcomplicated. I urge my colleagues to join me as a cosponsor of H.R. 
982, the Tax Code Termination Act and end the broken tax system that 
exists today.

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