tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033270.post113902817090298252..comments2023-10-30T08:41:14.356-04:00Comments on Tax & Business Law Commentary: Deficits and National SavingsStuart Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04917401637732122101noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033270.post-1139253738577947272006-02-06T14:22:00.000-05:002006-02-06T14:22:00.000-05:00At one point last year, I had the opportunity to a...At one point last year, I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Minkiw about the concept of revenue neutrality with respect to tax simplification. I understand the administration's concern that a change in the tax code that increases revenue to the government does so by taking it from taxpayers, making it an effective tax increase, which the president wanted to avoid. However, I pointed out that the taxes paid were not the only cost to the taxpayers; that compliance costs were also borne by taxpayers. To the extent that tax simplification reduced compliance costs, the government could gain positive revenues, reducing deficits <I>cet. par.</I>, yet not making taxpayers worse off. Dr. Minkiw said the idea was "interesting," but offered no other comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com