A Progressive System of Mark-to-Market Taxation

Abstract

Under this mark-to-market proposal, large companies and wealthy individuals would pay tax on publicly traded securities and derivatives on the securities as if they had sold the position at year-end. No actual sales would be required.

The proposal is made as a part of the Shelf Project, a collaboration by tax professionals to develop and perfect proposals to help Congress when it needs to raise revenue. Shelf Project proposals are intended to raise revenue, defend the tax base, follow the money, and improve the rationality and efficiency of the tax system. The tax community can propose, follow, or edit proposals at http://www.taxshelf.org. A longer description of the Shelf Project can be found at ‘‘The Shelf Project: Revenue-Raising Projects That Defend the Tax Base,’’ Tax Notes, Dec. 10, 2007, p. 1077, Doc 2007-22632, 2007 TNT 238-37.

Shelf Project proposals follow the format of a congressional tax committee report in explaining current law, what is wrong with it, and how to fix it.

Copyright 2008 David S. Miller.

Keywords: tax reform,securities

JEL Classification: H20