Business Tax Reform Hearing Announced by Senate Finance Committee
Posted on Sep 12, 2017 in News
Senator Hatch, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced a hearing on business tax reform to take place on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Four executives from industry groups and think tanks will testify on policy options for reforming the taxation of U.S. businesses. The witnesses include: Scott A. Hodge, President, Tax Foundation; Donald B. Marron, Institute Fellow, Urban...
President Trump Advocates for Tax Reform
Posted on Sep 5, 2017 in News
In a speech intended to rally support for tax reform, President Trump outlined his commitment to simplifying the tax code, lowering corporate and individual rates and instituting a repatriation tax. The president reiterated that the corporate rate would “ideally” be lowered to 15 percent and referenced lowering taxes to help the middle class “afford childcare and the cost of raising a...
Republican Tax Reform Framework, but No Legislation, Reportedly Coming in September
Posted on Aug 14, 2017 in News
Sources indicate that the Trump administration expects the “Big Six” will release a short three- to five-page document in September outlining a plan for reforming the US tax code. The document will likely not be accompanied by legislation, previously targeted for September, but instead could serve to outline areas of agreement between the White House, Senate, and Congress. Neither the...
Meadows Cites Thanksgiving Deadline for Tax Reform
Posted on Aug 4, 2017 in News
House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows, speaking at an Americans for Prosperity event, stated that “if [the tax reform bill] doesn’t get to the president’s desk by Thanksgiving… it isn’t going to happen.” He explained that the timing is imperative in order to retroactively apply tax reform benefits to 2017 and to avoid the legislative slowdown often associated with midterm...
Senator Hatch Not Optimistic About a Significant Reduction in the Corporate Tax Rate
Posted on Aug 2, 2017 in News
Senator Hatch, Senate Finance Committee chairman, said in an interview that it would be “kind of miraculous” to reduce the corporate tax rate to 25 percent, much less President Trump’s goal of 15 percent, and that Republicans will be lucky to get the rate down at all. He also stated that tax reform success may require gaining Democratic support. Read more: U.S. Senator Hatch says 25...
Hatch Assigns Republican Committee Members to Specific Tax Reform Items
Senator Hatch, head of the Senate tax-writing panel, asked Republican members of the committee to provide input on specific tax areas: Senators Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Rob Portman of Ohio will focus on international business taxation; Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa will focus on taxation of individuals; Senator John Thune of South Dakota will focus on business and estate taxes;...Senator Hatch Requests Comments from the Public on Tax Reform
Posted on Jun 16, 2017 in News
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch has released a letter asking industry groups and other stakeholders for recommendations on tax reform. Comments must be submitted to taxreform2017@finance.senate.gov by July 17. Read more: GOP chairman seeks tax reform recommendations
Border Tax Adjustment Phase-In Not Popular with Senate Republicans
Posted on Jun 14, 2017 in News
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady’s proposal to introduce the border adjustment tax (BAT) with a five-year phase-in has not been well received by Senate Republicans. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch does not think there is enough time for the phase-in and Senator John Thune believes that a five-year phase-in will not make the BAT any more popular than it...
Senate Republicans Offer No Alternative to Proposed Blueprint Revenue Raisers
Posted on May 26, 2017 in News
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch has suggested that the three revenue raisers (i.e., the border adjustment tax, elimination of certain itemized deductions and elimination of business interest deductions) proposed in the House Republicans’ Blueprint do not have support in the Senate, and he does not believe they will pass. However, Senate Republicans have yet to offer an...
Former Speaker Boehner Does Not Believe Tax Reform Will Pass
Posted on May 26, 2017 in Energy Tax, News
During a keynote address at an energy conference, Former Speaker of the House John Boehner stated that his faith in the passage of tax reform was fading and referred to the House Republicans’ and Administration’s tax reform initiatives as a “bunch of happy talk.” Boehner also stated that he believes the border adjustment tax is dead and his odds for passage of tax reform, generally,...
Senator Mitch McConnell Believes Tax Reform Should Be Revenue Neutral
Posted on May 16, 2017 in News
Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated in an interview that tax reform must be revenue neutral given the current national debt of $21 trillion and due to the lack of support from Democrats which will require Republicans to use budget rules that allow pushing through permanent tax changes with only 50 votes. Read more: McConnell Wants Revenue-Neutral Tax Plan, at Odds With...
Tax Reform by End of Year Still a Goal
Posted on May 14, 2017 in News
House Speaker Paul Ryan cautioned against creating an artificial deadline but still described overhauling the tax code by the end of 2017 as a goal, with the House, Senate, and White House all working together on comprehensive tax reform. Despite previous hesitancy regarding the border adjustment from the Trump Administration, Ryan defended the House Republicans’ proposed border...
Mnuchin Talks Tax Reform at G7 Meeting
Posted on May 13, 2017 in News
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin discussed tax reform at the G7 meeting in Italy. Mnuchin told reporters that G7 finance ministers are open to, and understand, President Trump’s new trade policies, however the G7 ministers expressed concern that the trend towards less redistributive tax and transfer systems globally may lead to more inequality. Mnuchin responded to concerns that...
Pick for Treasury Tax Policy Post Announced
Posted on May 12, 2017 in News
The White House announced that President Trump will nominate David Kautter as the assistant secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy. Kautter, who has previously served as counsel for former Senator John Danforth on tax legislation, will likely serve as a key player in the coming tax reform process. Read more here: Trump names pick for top tax position at Treasury
Rep. Brady Declares Border Adjustability Still a Priority After Release of Trump’s Tax Proposal
Posted on May 6, 2017 in News
Representative Kevin Brady stated in an interview with WND/Radio America that despite the Trump administration not mentioning the border adjustment tax in its tax reform proposal released two weeks ago, border adjustability was “still a priority.” The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee characterized the tax as necessary since American “competitors,” including China, Japan...