Taxes

For what should be obvious reasons, it would be inappropriate for me not to write something this week about taxes - the publisher would throw me out if I missed the opportunity.

So given that, did you know that K-State coach Ron Prince scheduled his squad's spring football game on our state's "Tax Freedom Day"? Yep, Saturday the average Kansan is expected to have earned enough money to pay all the taxes he owes government this year - 112 days into it. A Washington think-tank called the "Tax Foundation" annually estimates this day for us. Prince obviously knew that ahead of time and thought we'd be happy enough to cheer even louder for our beloved Cats.

And I'll bet you didn't know that it takes us about 40 of those 112 days to pay income taxes; 30 to pay for insurance like social security; 15 for sales taxes; 10 for our property; with the rest for other stuff. Now, here in Riley County if our good commissioners don't do something appropriate with the mill levy, property taxes could approach sales receipts given how appraisals have skyrocketed this year. But that rant is for another day, because they surely will.

C-SPAN this morning claimed it takes millions of hours and billions of dollars to prepare and file our income tax forms, because the tax code is so complex. Personally, my family has not prepared the forms for years. I was never very good at higher math. The AP recently reported that, ".three of the four top (Senate) lawmakers.in charge of writing tax laws, pay a professional to file their annual tax returns." A whole industry has developed to help us figure it out. So preparation costs alone suggest there has to be a better way.

Perhaps it is time we consider a flat tax. Think about it. Exempt all income below the poverty line from taxation. Allow deductions for mortgage interest on "one" home and for charity. And tax the remainder. It would be simple and far more efficient in terms of compliance. Even I could do it. Additionally, it would be far less painful for the working poor who get hammered with payroll taxes like social security. And imagine the fun watching all those tax law lobbyists on K-Street looking for something productive to do with their lives.

George Washington said, "No taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant." But we can certainly make today's process more efficient, the rates fairer and the burden less onerous. It just takes a little common sense and a good dose of leadership to make that happen.

In the meantime, don't hold your breath and happy "Tax Freedom Day," Wildcat fans.

First published in the Manhattan Free Press, April 20, 2006.