Trump unveils sweeping tax reforms, stirs deficit concerns

Proposes to reduce seven tax brackets to just three, double standard deductions

Republicans welcome; Democrats oppose

WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Donald Trump has unveiled sweeping tax reforms which if passed by the Congress would bring down the business tax rate to 15 per cent, introduce territorial tax system that would offer level playing field to American companies.

However, it immediately prompted criticism that the plan favors business and the rich and could add trillions of dollars to the deficit. The proposal drew a swift, skeptical response from Senator Bob Corker, a leading Republican “fiscal hawk,” who vowed not to vote for any federal tax package financed with borrowed money.

Aimed at targeting the middle-class families, which constitutes the core of nation’s vote bank, Trump has proposed to reduce the current seven tax brackets to just three of 10, 25 and 35 per cent; double the standard deductions and provide relief for families with child and dependent care expenses.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and I guess it’s probably something I can say that I’m very good at. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We’re going to cut taxes for the middle class, make the tax code simpler and more fair for everyday Americans, and we are going to bring back the jobs and wealth that have left our country—and most people thought left our country for good,” Trump said in his speech in Indiana yesterday.

“We want tax reform that is pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-worker, pro-family, and, tax reform that is pro-American. It’s time to take care of our people, to rebuild our nation, and to fight for our great American workers,” he said.

Observing that for several months, his administration has been working closely with Congress to develop a framework for tax reform, Trump said over the next few months, the House and Senate will build on this framework and produce legislation that will deliver more jobs, higher pay, and lower taxes for middle-class families, and for businesses of all sizes.

Ruing that the total business US tax rate is 60 per cent higher than its average foreign competitors in the developed world, Trump said by doing so the US has surrendered its competitive edge to other countries.

“But we’re not surrendering anymore. We’re not surrendering anymore. Under our framework, we will dramatically cut the business tax rate so that American companies and American workers can beat our foreign competitors and start winning again,” he said.

“We will reduce the corporate tax rate to no higher than 20 per cent. That’s way down from 35 and 39 which is substantially below the average of other industrialized nations.

“This is a revolutionary change, and the biggest winners will be the everyday American workers as jobs start pouring into our country, as companies start competing for American labor, and as wages start going up at levels that you haven’t seen in many years,” he said. Trump said corporations have parked many trillions of dollars in foreign countries, and many have incorporated abroad in order to avoid the punitive tax system altogether.

Republicans have welcomed tax reforms. Paul Ryan, House Speaker said, “Today, we move one step closer to fixing our broken tax code so that it puts Americans first. This is our best opportunity in a generation to deliver real middle-class tax relief, create jobs here at home, and fuel unprecedented economic growth”.

Democrats, on the other hand have opposed the idea. Indian-American Democrat Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said, “As the details of the plan have been trickling out, I’ve been disappointed that the House Republican leadership has taken the same secretive approach to taxes that they brought to healthcare”.

(Source: PTI)