Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 1:57am

Happy Tax Day!

It takes me approximately eight hours each year to prepare my federal and state income tax returns.  This does not take into consideration the quarterly estimated payments I make which probably take 20 minutes each.  After a long and frustrating day preparing a fairly complicated tax return, I, Union loving Don McClarey, often end the day as I am writing the check to the Federal government by playing the song below:

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Blackadder
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 10:14am

Here’s an interesting counter-argument about the advantages of having a costly, complicated tax code:

it’s easy to overlook an important side-effect of tax complexity burdens — and the taxpayer anger created by them. Such aggravation helps sustain the sizable and energetic group of Americans who want their government to get by with less.

As President Obama’s head of the National Economic Council, Lawrence Summers, once wrote, “A better tax system may lead to more wasteful spending.” Even Professors Robert E. Hall and Alvin Rabushka, longtime advocates of simpler tax code, concede that a simpler tax makes it much easier for advocates of larger government spending programs to be successful.

j. christian
j. christian
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 11:27am

Paraphrasing Voltaire: If there were no complicated tax code, it would be necessary to invent one. A flat tax would probably inevitably drift toward complexity with incremental exceptions coming from myriad interest groups.

M.Z.
M.Z.
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 12:55pm

What is the etiquette regarding bring whine to a tea party?

John Henry
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 1:20pm

We should all be grateful on this day for the opportunity to contribute some of our earnings to the common good…and for the dedicated servants of the people in Congress who, in their wisdom, ensure those funds are put to the best possible use.

Art Deco
Art Deco
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 1:40pm

Too clever by half, Blackadder.

Blackadder
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 3:30pm

Art,

I’m inclined to agree.

ben
ben
Thursday, April 15, AD 2010 3:48pm

Since the Bush tax reforms, the US income tax code has become an excellent support for large traditional families. I’d say it is one of the most pro-child policies of the federal government.

Having a full time job, 9 children under 17 and owning a home gives me an effective tax rate of about -18%!

Kevin in El Paso
Kevin in El Paso
Saturday, April 17, AD 2010 9:32am

JH,
I have only three cautionary words for you…
mandatory drug testing

trackback
Thursday, May 13, AD 2010 5:35am

[…] to Ed Morrissey at Hot Air.  Another fine econ 101 video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity.   Government debt is rapidly […]

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Friday, August 27, AD 2010 5:41am

[…] Another fine econ 101 video from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity.   That government monopolies like […]

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