Raising Taxes Won't Help The Economy

Having trouble reading this email? Click here to view in your browser.

Raising Taxes Won't Help the Economy   This year marks the 100th anniversary of the modern income tax, which was established through the 16th amendment to the Constitution. Over the years, our tax code has become bloated with loopholes, regulations and exemptions and now contains almost four million words. According to the Laffer Center, it costs up to $431 billion a year simply to comply with and administer our complicated tax system. Now is the time for tax reform that makes the tax code simpler and fairer, and the majority of Americans agree. A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC found that 85 percent of respondents approved of people doing all they could within the law to lower their taxes. That same poll found that 56 percent of those surveyed claimed to have an "unfavorable" impression of the federal income tax system. The sheer amount of a household's income that goes to taxes could explain why. According to the Tax Foundation, this year's Tax Freedom Day falls on April 18th. This means that 100 percent of the money earned by American workers during the first 108 days of the year, from January 1st to April 18th, goes toward taxes. Despite this burden, President Obama unveiled his budget blueprint that would raise taxes on nearly every American. A recent study conducted by the Tax Policy Center found that, contrary to the president's past commitments, some earning less than $100,000 would be hit with some sort tax increase. These tax, borrow, and spend policies will never get our country back on the right track.   Washington doesn't have a revenue problem, Washington has a spending problem. Raising taxes won't curb our spending addiction, and until we can be good stewards of tax dollars, I don't think we should ask Americans to pay more. We can and should simplify our tax code by closing loopholes; lowering taxes on individuals, families and businesses; and making it easier to file. Did you know it takes the average taxpayer roughly thirteen hours to file and pay their taxes each year? Similarly, 88 percent of all small business owners rely on outside help to prepare their taxes. Because the current tax system needs work, I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation that would get our fiscal house back in order and reject certain proposed tax increases. For example, I am a proud cosponsor of H.Con.Res. 24, a resolution introduced by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) that states a carbon tax—like the Cap and Tax proposal rejected in 2009—would be detrimental to the economy. Additionally, I have cosponsored H.R. 483, a bill introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) that would permanently repeal the death tax. I've also supported Republican budget proposals that would balance the budget while setting the stage for tax reform. Rest assured I will continue to push for commonsense, responsible reforms to our tax code, as well as the necessary spending cuts that will get our deficit under control. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you or your family. Our contact information can be found on our website, www.roe.house.gov. CONNECT WITH US E-News Sign-up Forward to a Friend Contact Phil TAKE A SURVEY Do you believe that Congress should pursue tax reform?  Yes, I believe that Congress should pursue tax reform.  No, I do not believe that Congress should pursue tax reform.  I am unsure at this time.          Choose Your Answer Washington, DC Office 407 Cannon House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6356 Fax: (202) 225-5714 Kingsport Office PO Box 1728 Kingsport, TN 37662 Phone: (423) 247-8161 Fax: (423) 247-0119 Morristown Office 1609 College Park Drive, Suite 4 Morristown, TN 37813 Phone: (423) 254-1400 Fax: (423) 254-1403