Rep. Buddy Carter
Legislation sponsored on Jan. 9 by U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) would abolish the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and repeal a slew of taxes in an effort to “promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity,” according to the bill’s text.
The Fair Tax Act, H.R. 25, which has 11 original Republican cosponsors, also would enact a national sales tax that would be administered primarily by the states, the text says.
“Instead of adding 87,000 new agents to weaponize the IRS against small business owners and middle America, this bill will eliminate the need for the department entirely by simplifying the tax code with provisions that work for the American people and encourage growth and innovation,” Rep. Carter said. “Armed, unelected bureaucrats should not have more power over your paycheck than you do.”
If enacted, H.R. 25 would replace the current tax code with a national consumption tax known as the Fair Tax, which was first introduced in 1999 by former U.S. Rep. John Linder (R-GA), who served in Congress from 1993 to 2011. The Fair Tax is a leading tax reform movement, according to Rep. Carter’s office.
“Cosponsoring this Georgia-made legislation was my first act as a member of Congress and is, fittingly, the first bill I am introducing in the 118th Congress,” said Rep. Carter.
H.R. 25 also would eliminate all personal and corporate income taxes, the death tax, gift taxes, and the payroll tax, thereby eliminating the need for the IRS, according to a bill summary provided by his staff.
The measure has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.