If Americans Really Understood the Income Tax

John Fox talked about his book If Americans Really Understood the Income Tax: Uncovering Our Most Expensive Ignorance, published by Westview Press. He suggested that the values of our government are represented in the tax system, saying that Congress has pursued social and economic programs through the tax system by using deductions and credits that amounted to 3 trillion dollars in 2000 of un-taxed income. Mr. Fox said the U.S. would have a stronger economy without these provisions and suggested doing away with all but the most essential special relief provisions, and implementing a simpler tax code that would reduce taxes for all brackets. Mr. Fox said that he wrote the book to empower taxpayers with useful information for times when political candidates propose additional tax reforms. He answered questions from audience members at the end of the program. close