OK, I'm looking for a little professional help here. And, no, not as in "a psychiatrist", though some of you may disagree ;-)>
I've found this link on the IRS web pages. It's a multitude of Excel spreadsheets with the statistics of incomes, returns and taxes submitted in prior years to the IRS.
Here's what I'm trying to figure out (and I'm not sure all of the necessary data is there to do this) ...
I'm trying to determine if a flat tax would save this country money and headaches.
(more over the fold)
What I believe, is that the IRS is mainly in existence to review each and every tax return submitted because the tax code is such a mess. I am under the impression that if we just had a uniform, fair and flat tax on income, we could overcome the IRS.
I'm wondering ...
- ... what is the actual "take" is by the Federal government from all income taxed paid by US citizens?
- ... by income ranges in increments of $25,000, what is the mean (not average) amount paid under the current tax code (per the stats last published)?
- ... what flat tax could be applied across the board that would net the same amount for the government in the end?
- ... what flat tax could be applied across the board that would net the same amount for the government in the end ... if incomes under $30k were tax exempt?
- ... by income ranges as stated in #2, what is the mean (not average) amount that would be paid under this flat tax as calculated per #3?
- ... by income ranges as stated in #2, what is the mean (not average) amount that would be paid under this flat tax as calculated per #4?
If you have statistical and accounting expertise, this is hopefully a 30- to 60-minute project for you to figure out.
If at all possible, I'd love to see the figures on this, as well as all the feedback by members of DKos.
If you do reply with figures (versus opinion), could you please include a tiny bio of yourself to show your background so that your response carries some integrity?
Thanks, in advance, to any "professionals" who take the time to carry out these calculations and reply. I'm just really curious to see the facts behind the viability of a flat tax.