Tax Reform
Our taxes are too high and too complicated. The individual and corporate tax codes distort the financial decisions of individuals and businesses, leading them to base spending, investment, and saving on tax considerations, not economic benefits. I will work in Congress to reduce our taxes and simplify our tax code to return power from Washington to taxpayers.
I will fight to stop the many tax increases looming over our economy. The so-called “fiscal cliff” legislation extended the Bush tax cuts for most American families and businesses, but thousands will see their taxes increase substantially in 2013. I will vote to repeal ObamaCare and its $500 billion in tax increases. And I will stand up to President Obama’s obsession with raising taxes on small businesses and entrepreneurs—the very people America needs most to help create jobs and grow the economy.
I will also work for fundamental tax reform of our individual and corporate tax codes. One reason our tax rates are so high is the countless special-interest carve-outs and loopholes that reduce the overall tax base, which are offset by higher rates. These complicated deductions primarily benefit the richest individuals and businesses, which have the ability to take advantage of them. By eliminating these loopholes, we can lower tax rates, reduce tax-compliance costs, make the tax code fairer and more competitive, and ignite economic growth and job creation. A growing economy will produce more tax revenue under the lower rates than our current complicated system, just as happened after President Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
Finally, I will fight against unfair and counterproductive taxes on savings and investment. The death tax must be eliminated once and for all. This unfair tax hits small businesses and family farms particularly hard and penalizes Americans for a lifetime of economic innovation, hard work, and frugal living—and a lifetime of paying taxes. We should also reduce the capital-gains and dividend taxes, with the ultimate goal of eliminating them. These taxes discourage saving and investment, which impedes economic growth and job creation.
More on Tax Reform
Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 225-3772
Cotton: "Arkansans can rest assured I will pursue real changes to our tax code in the years ahead"
Last week, I joined 226 of my colleagues in supporting the Student and Family Tax Simplification Act—legislation that simplifies current education tax benefits to ease the cost burden of a college education. This bill consolidates four current tax benefits for higher education into a reformed American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), a simplified and expanded credit. It also includes strong anti-fraud provisions, reduces credit overpayments, and excludes Pell Grants from being considered as normal income.
Contact: Caroline Rabbitt: 202-225-3772
Cotton Votes to Hold the IRS Accountable
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tom Cotton (R-Dardanelle) released the following statement after voting to hold former IRS Director of Exempt Organizations Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress and to ask Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special counsel to investigate the IRS’s targeting of conservative groups:
Contact: Caroline Rabbitt: 202-225-3772
Arkansas House Delegation Votes to End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion
- Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel: This week I had the opportunity to visit the McGeorge family at Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel. Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel is a great local business rich with Arkansas history. In fact, this year they are celebrating the anniversary of their 100th year in business! I want to congratulate them on this important milestone! I look forward to hearing about their continued success and the important contributions they make to the community.
- District Meetings: I had several great meetings across Arkansas this week.
- Telephone Town Hall: This week, I spoke with thousands of Arkansans directly from my office in D.C. via a telephone town hall. As usual, it was great to hear your concerns and opinions.