Bills in Congress
(The following information is from the Thomas Web Site)
Thomas -- U.S. Congress on the Internet
http://thomas.loc.gov
"Bills may originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate with one notable exception provided in the Constitution. Article I, Section 7, of the Constitution provides that all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives but that the Senate may propose or concur with amendments. By tradition, general appropriation bills also originate in the House of Representatives."
"A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters "H.R." followed by a number that it retains throughout all its parliamentary stages. The letters signify "House of Representatives" and not, as is sometimes incorrectly assumed, "House resolution". A Senate bill is designated by the letter "S." followed by its number. The term "companion bill" is used to describe a bill introduced in one House of Congress that is similar or identical to a bill introduced in the other House of Congress."
107th Congress
H.R.2717
SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
Individual Tax Freedom Act of 2001
OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity for families by repealing the income tax, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national retail sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.
Sponsor: Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) (introduced 8/2/2001)
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2001 Referred to House committee.
H.R.2525
SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
Fair Tax Act of 2001
OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the States.
Sponsor: Rep. Linder, John (introduced 7/17/2001)
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2001 Referred to House committee.
H.R.2714
SHORT TITLE(S) AS INTRODUCED:
Date Certain Tax Code Replacement Act
OFFICIAL TITLE AS INTRODUCED:
To terminate the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Sponsor: Rep. Largent, Steve (introduced 8/2/2001)
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2001 Referred to House committee.
Please take a few moments to write and call your Representative, and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor to the above mentioned bills. Here are the addresses and phone numbers:
Rep. Shelley Berkley
U.S. House of Representatives
439 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-4708
Phone: (202) 225-5965
Phone: (Las Vegas) (702) 220-9823
Rep. Jim Gibbons
U.S. House of Representatives
100 Cannon House Office Building
Washington D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6155
Phone: (Las Vegas) (702) 255-1651
(Note: Rep. Jim Gibbons has already signed on as a cosponsor to H.R. 2714.)
Confused??
The subjects of taxes and tax reform are very confusing. No one person fully understands the income tax code; even the so-called "experts" come up with different answers for the same questions. Now that there is agreement that fundamental tax reform MUST take place, new proposals crop up on an almost daily basis. This may seem overwhelming at times -- how does one know which proposal is best and keep up with all the various plans?
Since 1990, CATS has been the leader in researching the impact of different taxes on individuals and society. CATS was instrumental in the creation of H.R. 2717, The Individual Tax Freedom Act of 2001, and fully supports this legislation. We honestly compare our proposal to each and every new plan that appears. If someone does come up with a better idea, we will be the first to acknowledge that fact. We have no 'hidden agenda' or vested interest in seeing a change in the way government collects taxes.
In order to give you some relief from all the conflicting information you are hearing regarding tax reform, here are some of the common myths in the area of taxes and tax reform:
Myth: Americans pay very little in taxes.
Fact: Figuring in federal taxes, state taxes, local taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, excise taxes, capital gains taxes, inheritance taxes... you get the point.
Then there is something that those who speak up against tax reform don't want you to know; you're also paying `hidden taxes'. What are these? Included in the price of EVERYTHING you spend money on are the costs of business income tax and compliance (estimated at between 15-25% of the final price).
One of the big three auto manufacturers recently did a study on the cost of the income tax and its compliance imbedded in the sticker price of a new car. How much do you think it was? Would you believe 24%? Almost one-forth of the sticker price!! That means a $20,000 car would only cost $15,200 without the income tax.
Multiply this across the board on every dollar spent and you can see why those in power hide this fact from you. Add all of the above to compute your actual tax liability. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 45-60% of every dollar you earn.
Myth: The 15% National Retail Sales Tax (NRST) will not generate enough money to fund government.
Fact: The Income tax is so horribly oppressive and inefficient, it costs society $600 Billion annually, yet the NRST costs relatively nothing to collect, places no burden on society and the Government is fully funded. Studies show a whopping 13% growth and probably much more the first year because capital is no longer taxed. This is close to $1 Trillion more to the economy and, since the federal government's take is about 25% of the economy, a $250 Billion increase in revenues.
Just add up the numbers above and the 15% revenue neutral retail sales tax will generate a $600 billion dollar surplus after the first year. We could pay off the national debt in 6 to 9 years and we could do it while paying no more for products with the sales tax built in than we do now with no sales tax but with our regressive hidden income tax.
Myth: The income tax is progressive and the NRST is regressive. The NRST will hurt the poor and those on fixed incomes.
Fact: First, it is important to note that the federal income tax is much more regressive than we think. The fact is the poor and middle class carry a substantial hidden income tax burden.
When a welfare recipient goes to buy a loaf of bread even though they pay no income taxes directly they will end up paying the income taxes and substantial compliance costs of the farmer, miller, baker, distributor, shipper and retailer that are hidden in the cost of that bread.
Second, the sales tax is much less regressive than is commonly believed. Ultimately, all income is consumed. Savings is simply a deferral of consumption.
The Tauzin-Traficant bill (H.R. 2717) provides a credit equal to the NRST rate times poverty level against a workers Social Security payroll taxes. Therefore, all workers will pay no taxes up to the poverty rate. Those below the poverty rate will pay no taxes at all.
We know the truth...the poor and those on fixed incomes will only stand to benefit from lower prices, more jobs, and the rebate system included in H.R. 2717; so that in effect NO ONE will pay sales taxes up to the poverty level.
The myths and lies surrounding tax reform have deep roots that need to be dug up and exposed for what they are. You will play a large part in this by helping others to understand these simple concepts and communicating this knowledge to your elected representatives.
Here is something else to ponder:
The NRST has benefits other than purely economic ones.
One: a return of freedom and privacy - try to put a price tag on those!!
Two: a tax system that does not punish people for being productive under the guise of 'progressivity' i.e., another lie promoting class warfare.
Three: a tax system that's EASY to understand.
Four: NO MORE IRS!!!
Please get the facts on the NRST. Contact CATS at
1-800-767-7577 or call me at (702) 454-5736.
2001 Taxpayers Defense Conference
Tax Help Online
Daniel J. Pilla, Tax Litigation Consultant, is holding his annual "Taxpayers Defense Conference in Las Vegas, NV, October 19 and 20, 2001.
Mr. Pilla's "Tax Solutions Network" can solve your IRS problems, show you how to avoid them in the first place, and cut your taxes in the process.
To find out more, visit the above web site, or call 1-800-346-6829.
Mission Impossible
(But Expensive)
"(T)he Internal Revenue Service is reportedly shopping around among New York, Los Angeles and Washington public relations firms, looking for someone to head up a rebranding campaign that will improve the agency's public image. The agency is supposedly ready to spend between $10 million and $20 million on the effort."
- UPI, 8/22/01
