Progressive Income Tax: The Tax Policy America Needs

Date

2018

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Department of English and Writing, The University of Tampa

Abstract

Income tax has enormous implications on many aspects of American life. It is the main source of the government’s revenue and it dictates how much money will be deducted from every worker’s income. There has been a recent movement for a flat tax regime to take over the current progressive United States income tax code, especially by members of the Republican Party. This paper uses secondary research and evidence from private research institutions, such as the Tax Foundation and the Tax Policy Center, and government publications, such as IRS data and the federal budget from the Office of Management and Budget to argue that the progressive income tax code, with some improvements such as fixing loopholes and introducing a new tax rate for the super-rich, proves to be better than a flat income tax in the areas of tax revenue collection, reversing income inequality, and providing useful tax incentives. The results found prove that a progressive income tax, with modifications, is the best income tax policy for the United States and a flat income tax would be detrimental to the United States economy and the intrinsic values that American citizens hold dear.

Description

Recommended Citation: Oakes, Nicholas. “Progressive Income Tax: The Tax Policy America Needs.” Royal Road, 2018. https://doi.org/10.48497/6PW4-YG02.

Keywords

United States, IRS, Internal Revenue Service, Progressive taxation, Income tax

Citation

Oakes, Nicholas. “Progressive Income Tax: The Tax Policy America Needs.” Royal Road, 2018. https://doi.org/10.48497/6PW4-YG02.