If Americans Really Understood Income Tax: Uncovering Our Most Expensive Ignorance - Hardcover

A critique of federal individual income tax policy, and a proposalfor overhauling the system that will appeal to ordinary citizens, liberalsand conservatives, as well as to experts.. One hundred eighty million Americans file income tax returns, yet few understand the social and economic outcomes. This book carves open the belly of the income tax for Americans who never had the opportunity to learn about it. John Fox explains how income tax laws represent the most comprehensive expression of official government values. Fox also elucidates how special tax relief provisions far exceed in sheer dollars and importance programs funded directly through the federal budget, and why these special provisions typically fail to advance tax justice or economic growth. Fox presents a compelling argument for overhauling the system. Part primer, part manifesto, If Americans Really Understood the Income Tax is sure to open the eyes of tax-paying Americans, regardless of political party, and earn the respect of policy experts. One hundred eighty million Americans file income tax returns, almost as many complain about the system, yet few understand the underlying social and economic outcomes. This book carves open the belly of the income tax forAmericans who never have had the opportunity to learn about it, and empowersAmericans to make informed judgments about what income tax laws would be best.John Fox explains how the laws represent the most comprehensive expression of official government values. Fox also elucidates how special relief provisions far exceed in sheer dollars and importance programs funded directly through the federal budget, and why these special provisions typically fail to advance tax justice or economic growth. Fox presents a compelling argument that our nation's interests would be best served by overhauling the system through reforms that eliminate all but the most essential special relief provisions, while reducing tax rates across the board. Such reforms, he argues, are far more compatible with principles of liberals and conservatives than is today's system. Part primer, part manifesto, If Americans Really Understood the Income Tax is sure to open the eyes of tax-paying Americans and earn the respect of policy experts.

John O. Fox has engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C. since 1964, specializing in tax and business matters. He has been developing the arguments for this book over the past 15 years in conjunction with a course he teaches at Mt. Holyoke College entitled "Taxation and the Values of Democracy."