Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Flat Tax.
Beth S. writes: Two words: flat tax.
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Eliminate Benefits For Having Kids
David Smith writes: If I could make one change in the tax code, I would eliminate any benefits for having children. I chose to be single. I chose not to have children. I am appalled to see how much our tax system subsidizes having children. It is welfare, just put forth another way. I already…
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Gay Marriage
Gideon Alper, who publishes the Gay Couples Law Blog, which discusses new developments in same-sex family law and estate planning, writes: The IRS should recognize gay marriages not just as a matter of equality, but also to encourage socially beneficial behavior in gay relationships. Fred Silberberg, a Los Angeles attorney that has practiced family law…
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Fix The AMT
Eric Satterley writes: An immediate need is to change the alternative minimum tax recapture law. On stock options you were forced to pay the alternative minimum tax even if you exercised any options (even if you did not sell the stocks). The law was that you could recapture/apply the tax paid toward the capital gains…
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Estate Tax & Dividends
Scott Lovingood writes: Two specifics that should be addressed immediately. Stop double taxation 1) Eliminate the estate tax. You pay taxes on everything you make and then you get taxed again when you die? Tell me that makes any sense. 2) Stop taxing Dividends on personal accounts- Companies have already paid taxes on the profit…
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Tax Bad Behaviors
Donna Peeples writes: I have seen a lot of articles in the paper about taxing sodas and foods that are bad for you. I say, “Why not?” I used to be a smoker. At one point, I was up to two packs a day. When New Jersey raised their cigarette tax, I stopped because my…
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Hey Congress, Why Don’t You…? Explain Our Taxes
Philip Miles, an attorney in Central PA and author of the employment law blog Lawffice Space, writes: Who the heck is FICA? In an early episode of the hit sitcom Friends, spoiled rich-girl Rachel Green (played by Jennifer Aniston) is forced to take a job as a coffee shop waitress. After a few days of…
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Hey Congress, Why Don't You…?
A few weeks ago, I asked my readers to chime in… What, I wondered, would you tell Congress that needed to be fixed, changed or eliminated when it came to taxes? Over the next few days, I’m posting your answers. Some short, some not, some predictable, some surprising… I hope you enjoy reading each other’s…
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Oops, He Did It Again: More Rangel Tax Blips
Last year, United States Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), who heads up the powerful Ways and Means Committee, found himself in hot water when it came to light that he “forgot” to report some rental income on his personal taxes. Apparently, Rangel’s memory hasn’t gotten any better. In an effort to comply with an ethics…
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Call For Guest Posts: What Would You Like To See Change In Congress?
As you probably know, 2010 is a key election year. In the Senate alone, there at least 36 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate up for grabs – talk about your shift of power! The rhetoric is ramping up already and, as you’d expect, many of the real issues are getting lost….