Congressman Buddy Carter has taken a bold step by introducing legislation aimed at fundamentally reshaping the U.S. tax system. His bill proposes the complete abolition of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the elimination of several major taxes including income, payroll, estate, and gift taxes. This move, if successful, would mark one of the most significant changes to the American fiscal policy in decades, potentially altering how the government funds its operations and how citizens contribute to the national coffers.
The idea of a world without income taxes might seem like a distant dream, but with this bill, it’s now a topic of serious discussion. Currently, the U.S. federal income tax system collects over $3 trillion annually, according to the IRS Data Book for the fiscal year 2022. Removing this revenue stream would necessitate a radical overhaul of government financing, possibly shifting towards consumption-based taxes or other forms of revenue generation.
The proposal to abolish the IRS itself would dismantle an agency that employs over 78,000 people and has been operational since 1862. The IRS not only collects taxes but also enforces tax laws, processes tax returns, and provides taxpayer services. Without the IRS, the administrative landscape of tax collection would need to be entirely reimagined, potentially leading to a more streamlined or decentralized approach.
Repealing payroll taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, would directly impact these vital social programs. In 2022, payroll taxes contributed approximately $1.3 trillion to these funds. The elimination of this tax could force a reevaluation of how these programs are financed, possibly through alternative funding mechanisms or significant restructuring.
Estate and gift taxes, although contributing less to the federal revenue with about $20 billion collected in 2022, play a role in wealth distribution and inheritance policies. Their removal could significantly affect wealth transfer strategies, potentially increasing wealth inequality if not offset by other measures.
This legislative proposal by Congressman Carter has sparked a wide array of reactions, from those who see it as a pathway to economic freedom and simplification of the tax code, to critics who worry about the loss of government services and the potential for increased deficits. The debate around this bill touches on fundamental questions of taxation, government funding, and economic equality in the United States.
As this bill moves through the legislative process, it’s important for citizens to stay informed and engaged. The implications of such a drastic change to the tax system are profound, affecting everything from personal finance to national debt management. While the journey of this bill from proposal to potential law is long and fraught with political challenges, its introduction alone has ignited a conversation about the future of taxation in America.
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-irs-data-book
https://wltreport.com/2025/01/09/congressman-introduces-bill-abolish-irs-federal-income-tax/
Congressman Buddy Carter just introduced a bill to abolish the IRS, repeal income, payroll, estate and gift taxes.
I read through his 132 page proposal so you don't have to.
Here's everything you must know:
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
I'm going over his proposals and review the data to understand the impact of it.
1. Repeal Subtitle A of the IRC of 1986.
This repeal covers:
> Individual taxes.
> Corporate taxes.
> Capital gains.
> Taxes on dividends and interest.
> Self-employment.— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
2. Repeal Payroll Taxes.
The proposal would eliminate payroll taxes, such as those supporting Social Security and Medicare, directly through payroll.
Social Security will be funded from a general revenue source (more on this later).
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
3. Repeal Estate and Gift taxes
Subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code, which governs estate and gift taxes, is repealed.
This effectively eliminates the federal taxes imposed on the transfer of wealth through inheritance (estate tax) or gifting (gift tax)
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
Then, instead of all income-based taxes, Section 201 of the proposal establishes a new national sales tax system.
For the year 2027, the sales tax rate is 23% of the gross payments for taxable property (basically goods and personal consumption) or services.
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
The person consuming or using the taxable property or service is liable for the sales tax.
So, if you go to the store and buy milk, you will pay a 23% inclusive national sales tax, along with any applicable state or local taxes.
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
Section 303 of the proposal also establishes a monthly rebate (family consumption allowance).
This ensures that all families are reimbursed for taxes on essential spending, up to the annual poverty threshold ($15,060 for a single individual).
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
Now, this proposal effectively shifts from income based to consumption based taxation.
In the book "The Flat Tax", the authors point out that the justification for consumption taxes rests on their built-in incentives to save and invest.
— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
I also reviewed the IRS data for 2021, which showed that people making:
$50,000 to $100,000 pay an average tax rate of 7.1% (tax/AGI)
$100,000 to $200,000 pay an average tax rate of 11%. pic.twitter.com/begR6LKMM3— The Money Cruncher, CPA (@money_cruncher) January 12, 2025
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