Can the Tax Code Become Simple?


          Most people would prefer simple tasks and activities over anything complex. Is the same true of taxes and finance? Most would give a resounding “Yes!” to that question. However, it has been said that over the past 30 years, that Federal Tax law has grown from 26,000 pages to 70,000 pages. Why has this taken place?

          One theory is that the Tax code is stuck in what can be called the “Rinse. Wash. Repeat.” cycle. In this situation, a law is passed, but Taxpayers and professionals do their best to comply with the law while paying as little in tax as possible. When this is observed, Congress will pass another law to prevent these tactics, and the process starts again. It highlights how complicated things can get when many different groups are trying to represent their own interests, including the US government. Perhaps a balance can be reached, but it will be difficult to say the least.

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