Flat Tariff Amendment

[sratiug]

I believe it is time to promote a flat tariff amendment to the U.S. Constitution to replace all other federal taxes.

I would like help with drafting the amendment in the simplest possible language so that current federal tax revenue is replaced gradually over x number of years. If the phase over period were 5 years, total tax revenue would be divided by 5 for the first year, and a tariff rate calculated based upon current imports that would generate the same revenue.

 

[sratiug]

Bump to eliminate IRS.

 

[presence]

I stand with those who smuggle past your tariffs.

 

[Cutlerzzz]

You could tax all Imports at 100% and still wouldn't cover the revenue the income taxes brings in, and that's while pretending that imports wouldn't collapse.

 

[MallsRGood]

I believe it is time to promote a flat tariff amendment to the U.S. Constitution to replace all other federal taxes.

As others have said, that's not possible.

To finance the government exclusively on a tariff, the government would need to be much smaller (which it should be regardless).

Current federal spending is about twice the total value of US imports.

 

[sratiug]

I stand with those who smuggle past your tariffs.

Is that easier than evading the payroll tax?

 

[sratiug]

You could tax all Imports at 100% and still wouldn't cover the revenue the income taxes brings in, and that's while pretending that imports wouldn't collapse.

So make it 200%. The tax is here already, collapsing domestic production.

 

[sratiug]

As others have said, that's not possible.

To finance the government exclusively on a tariff, the government would need to be much smaller (which it should be regardless).

Current federal spending is about twice the total value of US imports.

The phase over period allows time for our multi-national corporate masters to lobby their politicians to make the government much smaller (which it should be regardless). That's the point.

 

[oyarde]

Just for fun , I would pass a large tariff on Chinese made US Flags .

 

[Anti Federalist]

Duties and tariffs, yes.

 

[Anti Federalist]

As others have said, that's not possible.

To finance the government exclusively on a tariff, the government would need to be much smaller (which it should be regardless).

Current federal spending is about twice the total value of US imports.

Why is it not possible?

 

[MallsRGood]

Why is it not possible?

...

As others have said, that's not possible.

To finance the government exclusively on a tariff, the government would need to be much smaller (which it should be regardless).

Current federal spending is about twice the total value of US imports.

 

[Anti Federalist]

...

Yeah, I saw that.

So, don't spend so much.

 

[MallsRGood]

Yeah, I saw that.

So, don't spend so much.

Agreed, but I was just responding to the OP, which doesn't say anything about spending cuts.

 

[Anti Federalist]

Agreed, but I was just responding to the OP, which doesn't say anything about spending cuts.

Got it...

 

[sratiug]

Agreed, but I was just responding to the OP, which doesn't say anything about spending cuts.

I would like help with drafting the amendment in the simplest possible language so that current federal tax revenue is replaced gradually over x number of years. If the phase over period were 5 years, total tax revenue would be divided by 5 for the first year, and a tariff rate calculated based upon current imports that would generate the same revenue.

I thought it might be obvious....

 

[sratiug]

Any help on drafts? I believe it is obvious this must be done now.

 

[Cutlerzzz]

So make it 200%. The tax is here already, collapsing domestic production.

If you raised taxes on imports by 200% you get virtually no revenue because nothing would be bought.