Jobs, Deficit Reduction, Revenues, and Fundamental Tax Reform

Abstract

This article argues that flat opposition to revenue increases has contributed to U.S. economic vulnerability and has had unintended effects, including contributing to increased deficits instead of smaller government. The article distinguishes fundamental income tax reform from raising revenues from tax expenditures and recommends that the Treasury Department spearhead fundamental income tax reform, within the context of an overall budget framework that includes revenue increases, and develop detailed proposals to make the individual and corporate income taxes fairer, simpler and more efficient.