WASHINGTON - Raymond J. Keating, chief economist of the Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) testified recently before the House Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs about the government paperwork burden on small business, particularly the paperwork burden related to the tax code and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Keating presented an array of statistics and trends about the costs of the current tax system, and called for a variety of reforms. These proposed reforms included making the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent to reduce complexity and uncertainty; further exploring moving to a fair, simpler, less costly, and more pro-growth tax code; repealing the individual and corporate alternative minimum taxes; opposing the National Taxpayer Advocate's recent recommendation for Congress to "implement a mechanism to withhold on certain categories of non-wage workers;" and urging the IRS to find ways to alter the way it presents its booklets, instructions, and forms to make them more friendly.

According to the SBSC, the hearing offered a solid exchange of ideas, with Subcommittee Chairman Doug Ose (R-Calif.) and Rep. Edward Schrock (R-Va.) leading the way.

Publication date: 05/03/2004