I voted flat tax. Our present system is way too complicated for the average citizen and most of them get ripped off because of it. It shouldn't take a CPA or tax consultant to figure out how much one owes in taxes or what all the 'deductions' are that one
may be able to take advantage of.
It should be this simple:
You earned 'this much' last year so you pay 'this percentage' of your earnings in tax.
And EVERYBODY pays the SAME PERCENTAGE. Little old me, you, and John Q Corporate owner.
Even Suzie Orman suggested a flat rate percentage based division for paying household bills and expenses to a couple with different income levels as the only fair way to divide those expenses.
The complicated BS like this needs to be done away with:
"You
may be eligible for a deduction on your income tax if you had a hangnail during the last year that affected your ability to scratch your own ass. You may be able to take a deduction based on the length of time the hangnail affected your ability to scratch your own ass provided you meet the following criteria:
1. The hangnail was not repairable using ordinary trimming/filing devices.
2. Physical immobility impaired you from seeking a manicurist to repair the hangnail or you could not afford those services due to your level of income.
3. The hangnail was on the actual hand you scratch your ass with.
4. You had a genuine need to scratch your ass with said hand and were impaired from performing this action for a period of not less than 1 month.
5. The hangnail was NOT on a toe unless you are able to scratch you ass with your foot.
If the answer to any of these criteria is "NO" you are not eligible to take any portion deduction. If you answered "YES" to all of the above criteria fill out FORM 1364A-7 to figure the amount."
In my opinion the present system is just silly and needs to be done away with. It has been designed to benefit the wealthy and place the heaviest tax burden on the little guy.