A Few Simple Snarky Rules to Make Life Better
A Quick Bible Study Vol. 306: ‘Fear Not' Old Testament – Part 2
The War on Warring
No Sanctuary in the Sanctuary
Chromosomes Matter — and Women’s Sports Prove It
The Economy Will Decide Congress — If Republicans Actually Talk About It
The Real United States of America
These Athletes Are Getting Paid to Shame Their Own Country at the Olympics
WaPo CEO Resigns Days After Laying Off 300 Employees
Georgia's Jon Ossoff Says Trump Administration Imitates Rhetoric of 'History's Worst Regim...
U.S. Thwarts $4 Million Weapons Plot Aimed at Toppling South Sudan Government
Minnesota Mom, Daughter, and Relative Allegedly Stole $325k from SNAP
Michigan AG: Detroit Man Stole 12 Identities to Collect Over $400,000 in Public...
Does Maxine Waters Really Think Trump Will Be Bothered by Her Latest Tantrum?
Fifth Circuit Rules That Some Illegal Aliens Can Be Detained Without Bond Until...
OPINION

A Flat Business Tax

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.

As an economist, businessman, and financial advisor, I have not only studied the subject of job creation, but have also created hundreds of jobs during the course of my career. 

Advertisement

I recognize that every business owner knows the exact number of employees required in order to ensure their business can operate. 

It’s important to understand this simple concept because no amount of cajoling, incentives, or wishful thinking will force employers to hire if they don’t need to. 

It’s very clear-cut, if more employees are not needed, people will not be hired. 

It would appear the politicians of both parties, from Obama to Pelosi, and from Romney to Perry, are lost in what is really happening today and just don’t understand the concept of job creation in this environment. 

This week, I’ll detail the only solution for the creation of American jobs in this country today.  Any candidate is welcome to adopt this strategy as their own policy, and I welcome it.  (No royalty fees necessary.)

The first step is to get all corporations on a level playing field by lowering taxes. 

(Yes, I know, you’ve heard that before.) 

However, everyone is also saying “close the loopholes.” 

The difficulty of closing loopholes is agreeing on the definition of a loophole.  Who makes that decision, and how are they influenced by lobbyists?  Taking a so-called loophole and doing away with it is usually not that simple. 

Advertisement

The norm is to rewrite the loophole using different words and phrases, but to the eyes of a well paid tax attorney the rewording only serves to create an additional loophole.  That’s right, one loophole replaced by another. 

This results in the corporation remaining in the same situation as before, with the government receiving no additional income. 

The solution is simple; lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to a flat 20% across the board, and eliminate tax loopholes. 

Whether you’re GE (currently paying an outrageous 0% income tax), a doctor’s group, or the local bar, if you’re a corporation, it’s 20% of profit.  (Publicly traded companies announce their earnings every quarter, so the exact amount of taxes paid would be known to all.) 

Applying a flat corporate tax would take incredible fortitude by politicians because the pressure would be enormous just from those same corporations alone.  However, in order to create jobs, it will require thinking outside the box and resisting all outside pressure. 

In addition to creating equal opportunity for all corporations, the corporate flat tax should be implemented immediately because it eliminates the ambiguity and confusion regarding tax loopholes.           

Advertisement
In my next column, I’ll discuss the second step: Putting America back to work.    

John Ransom | Create Your Badge

See more top stories from Townhall Finance. New Homepage, more content. Be the best informed fiscal conservative:

John Ransom Obama's Solyndra Loans "Number One Priority" for House Investigating Committee Since Feb.
Political Calculations Projection: Hard Landing for Obama Next Fall
Mike Shedlock Taxing the Dead
Bill Tatro A Flat Business Tax
Bob Goldman Happiness Is Now a Requirement at Work
Jeff Carter Groupon, Zynga and Krugman's Frothy Valuations
Jack Bouroudjian 9/11 Hit Financial Markets Hard, Personally
Email Ransom thfinance@mail.com
Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/bamransom

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement