logo

Sales Tax: Big Week For Tax Reform

image
Author: Jeff Powers
Created: 31 July, 2017
Updated: 21 November, 2022
2 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kHeki5yysw

Perhaps wanting to quickly pivot from the health care reform debacle, the administration is poised to roll out its plan for tax reform this week.

One of the biggest news items that went under the radar last week because of the health care debate was the elimination of the BAT, or border adjustment tax. House Speaker Paul Ryan made the announcement, perhaps clearing the way for sweeping tax cuts.

Retailers hailed the move, saying it puts more money in pockets of middle class Americans. Paul's statement read:

“While we have debated the pro-growth benefits of border adjustability, we appreciate that there are many unknowns associated with it, and have decided to set this policy aside in order to advance tax reform." - House Speaker Paul Ryan

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who has been the white house official spokesman on tax reform, noted in the release:

"The goal is a plan that reduces tax rates as much as possible, allows unprecedented capital expensing, places a priority on permanence, and creates a system that encourages American companies to bring back jobs and profits trapped overseas." - Steven Mnuchin

In April, Mnuchin and President Donald Trump proposed a new corporate tax rate and three individual tax brackets as a way to simplify the tax code. The brackets included a 15% corporate rate, down from the current 35%, and 3 individual tax brackets: 10%, 25% and 35%.

Expect Tuesday as the day we will begin hearing Tax Reform discussions in earnest. The White House is hosting a small business event where the president is expected to demand a historic overhaul of the tax code.

More Choice for San Diego

Trump is expected to use short remarks to attack the business tax rate and argue that the current tax code is one of the biggest obstacles to American workers and entrepreneurs. Then expect the president to take his tax reform sales pitch on the road in August — with some top aides looking to stage a series of speeches through the Rust Belt.

But just like the health care reform rollercoaster, don't expect Democrats to go along with the president's desired reforms.

One week ago, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote, "Old-fashioned capitalism has broken down to the detriment of consumers," laying the groundwork for the argument that there is nothing in the president's tax reform that helps the American people.

Schumer said he wants Democrats to show voters an agenda that appeals to everyday Americans, saying, "We Democrats can answer the call of millions of Americans...by offering them a better deal."

"A Better Deal" is the party's new slogan.

Latest articles

Vote
Leaders of Pro-Voter Movement for Better Elections to Meet in San Diego
The work to make elections better for voters never stops and no one knows that better than the organizations that put a historic number of systemic reforms on the 2024 ballot. And now, these leaders will gather in San Diego to plan for the future of this massive movement....
13 November, 2024
-
3 min read
money in politics
Maine Voters Reject Big Money in Politics Amidst Most Expensive Election Ever
The 2024 elections broke another spending record from independent political groups. Yet, amidst billions being used to influence voter decisions, Maine citizens voted to rein in this spending on Election Day....
12 November, 2024
-
5 min read
Arizona Government
Arizona Rejected Primary Reform in 2024, But Voters Don't Support the Status Quo Either
Election Day was mostly a rough night for election reformers across the board, from primary reform to new voting methods to gerrymandering. However, it would be a mistake to suggest that this means voters are okay with the status quo....
12 November, 2024
-
4 min read