Flake demands reforms to ‘burdensome’ tax code

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) called for reforms to the U.S. tax code on Tax Day.

“Tax day is another unfortunate reminder of the need to reform our burdensome tax code,” Flake said. 

{mosads}Flake said Congress should do more to simplify the tax code to make it easier for people to file.

Flake also said the corporate tax rate should be reduced and the “death tax” should be repealed to drive economic growth.

“Too much time, money and effort is spent complying with a tax code that is jam-packed with special-interest carve-outs and disincentives for economic growth,” Flake said. “Congress should make it a priority to construct a simple and efficient pro-growth tax system.”

Flake wasn’t the only lawmaker who used the filing deadline Tuesday to highlight their tax priorities.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) again voiced her opposition to a bill that would require online retailers to collect state taxes since not all states have sales tax.

“As people all across the country complete the annual task of filing their tax returns, Washington ought to be considering ways to cut red tape and bureaucratic obstacles,” Shaheen said. “Online sales tax legislation would impose new and unnecessary burdens … and I will continue fighting to make sure the online sales tax bill never becomes law.”

The Senate passed an online sales tax bill last year despite Shaheen’s opposition, but the House didn’t debate or vote on the issue.