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Internal Tax Code

Decent Essays

The tax code, officially known as the Internal Revenue Code, is a major issue in today’s American society. There are many proponents of reforming our tax code who make the argument that we cannot just keep raising the “debt ceiling” and call it good. The opponents of tax reform argue that more and more taxes are needed to run the country. This paper will be looking at what elements of the American political system have influenced and shaped the tax code, and how changes in the tax code can compromise some of our constitutional ideals.
Congress has probably the single most influence on the formation of the tax code and its provisions. The Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes for the collection of revenue. Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution reads, "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States." However, income tax as we know it didn't exist …show more content…

Most recommendations for new tax legislation come from the President (U.S. Department of the Treasury). According to the Treasury Department’s website, it takes not only the President, but many more people to help shape a recommendation. Months of preparation will go into the new proposed legislation even before the President make his formal recommendations to Congress. The President can send tax recommendation to Congress any time he so chooses. However, in general, he will only propose one new tax change per year. The President’s responsibility doesn’t just end there, however. When Congress has voted and passed the new tax plan the President must either sign the plan or veto it. If he vetoes it, he will send it back to the House along with a statement of what he doesn’t like in the plan. If the President does sign it, all the necessary agencies must take some action towards carrying out the

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