Byron Dorgan: “for all the talk about taxes in this chamber, we often overlook one of the worst burdens of the current tax system. I'm…”

“for all the talk about taxes in this chamber, we often overlook one of the worst burdens of the current tax system. I'm talking about the monumental hassle that taxpayers face to file their tax returns each year. It is simply inexcusable that Congress has made it so expensive and complex for Americans to fulfill this basic civic duty. Taxpayers will probably spend somewhere around three billion hours and at least $75 billion next year in the effort to meet their federal income tax obligations. It's no wonder they barrage congressional offices with letters each spring imploring us to simplify the Tax Code. They are right. Each little provision in the tax code has a justification, but together they add up to a big headache for the American taxpayer. We can't blame the IRS for the misery endured this past year or in the years ahead. There's no way to truly simplify tax day unless Congress changes the underlying law. That's why I'm pleased to be joined by Senators Gregg and Durbin in introducing a tax reform proposal that we call the ``Fair and Simple Shortcut Tax'' (FASST) plan. Our plan would give most taxpayers the opportunity to pay their federal income taxes without having to prepare a tax return if they so choose. Some thirty countries already enable their citizens to pay their federal taxes in this way. We believe tax simplification along these lines can work in this country, too.”