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Ted Cruz on Tax Reform

Republican Texas Senator

 


Tax returns on a postcard

We've got to get people back to work. We all agree on that but it's not going to be solved with magic pixie dust. Every time we lessen the burden of Washington on small business owners, on job creators, we see economic growth. My plan is this: typical family of four, first $36,000 earned, no income taxes, no payroll taxes. Above ten percent, everyone pays the same simple flat ten percent income rate. You can fill out your taxes on a postcard and we abolish the IRS.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina , Feb 13, 2016

There are more words in the tax code than in the Bible

The current system isn't fair. Washington is fundamentally corrupt. There are more words in the IRS code than there are in the Bible and not a one of them is as good. Every one of them reflects a carve-out or a subsidy, and it's all about empowering the Washington cartel. My simple Flat Tax says that, for a family of four, for the first $36,000 you earn, you pay no taxes whatsoever. No income taxes, no payroll taxes, no nothing. Above that, every American pays 10 percent across the board.
Source: Fox Business/WSJ Second Tier debate , Nov 10, 2015

Eliminate payroll tax, death tax, business tax, and IRS

PAUL [to Cruz and others]: Much of the discussion is centered over whether or not the different tax plans help the middle class. Mine is unique in the sense that my tax plan actually gets rid of the payroll tax as well. It shifts it to the business, and it would allow middle class people to get a tax cut. If you just cut their income tax, there isn't much income tax to cut. Mine actually cuts the payroll tax, and it would spread the tax cut across all socioeconomic levels.

CRUZ: Rand is exactly right. His plan is a good plan, and I will note that my 10% plan also eliminates the payroll tax; eliminates the death tax; eliminates the business income tax; the 10% flat rate is the lowest personal rate any candidate up here has; and what it would also enable us to do is for every citizen to fill out their taxes on a postcard so we can eliminate the IRS.

Source: GOP `Your Money/Your Vote` 2015 CNBC 1st-tier debate , Oct 28, 2015

Abolish the IRS

In a word association game, Cruz said the phrase "Hillary Clinton" brought to mind "Washington" and the name of Bill Clinton was "youth outreach" in a dig at the former president's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Cruz described Obama as "lawless."

But it was the question about what Cruz would do as president that drew the most raucous response. "Repeal every blasted word of ObamaCare," Cruz said as he ticked off a list that included "abolish the IRS," "restore America's leadership in the world," get rid of "amnesty" in the immigration system, and reduce the "alphabet soup" of regulations.

Source: USA Today on 2015 Conservative Political Action Conf. , Feb 26, 2015

Permanent Washington elite protects the tax code

Dewhurst: "I am in favor of a fairer tax, a flatter tax."

Dewhurst: I've been involved in repeatedly cutting spending by billions and taxes by billions.

Cruz on Dewhurst income tax: In 2006, he told the Associated Press "I think I'd rather see a tax that's based on income."

Cruz: "It's interesting when people try to run away from their records. Dewhurst was dragged kicking and screaming to cut the budget."

Source: KVUE coverage of 2012 Texas Senate debate , Apr 1, 2012

Adopt a single-rate tax system.

Cruz signed the Contract From America

The Contract from America, clause 4. Enact Fundamental Tax Reform:

Adopt a simple and fair single-rate tax system by scrapping the internal revenue code and replacing it with one that is no longer than 4,543 words--the length of the original Constitution.

Source: The Contract From America 10-CFA04 on Jul 8, 2010

Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death tax.

Cruz signed the Contract From America

The Contract from America, clause 10. Stop the Tax Hikes:

Permanently repeal all tax hikes, including those to the income, capital gains, and death taxes, currently scheduled to begin in 2011.

Source: The Contract From America 10-CFA10 on Jul 8, 2010

Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

Cruz signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge against raising taxes

[The ATR, Americans for Tax Reform, run by conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist, ask legislators to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in each election cycle. Their self-description:]

In the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, candidates and incumbents solemnly bind themselves to oppose any and all tax increases. Since its rollout in 1986, the pledge has become de rigeur for Republicans seeking office, and is a necessity for Democrats running in Republican districts. Today the Taxpayer Protection Pledge is offered to every candidate for state office and to all incumbents. More than 1,100 state officeholders, from state representative to governor, have signed the Pledge.

The Taxpayer Protection Pledge: "I pledge to the taxpayers of my district and to the American people that I will: ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rate for individuals and business; and TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates."

Opponents' Opinion (from wikipedia.com):In Nov. 2011, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) claimed that Congressional Republicans "are being led like puppets by Grover Norquist. They're giving speeches that we should compromise on our deficit, but never do they compromise on Grover Norquist. He is their leader." Since Norquist's pledge binds signatories to opposing deficit reduction agreements that include any element of increased tax revenue, some Republican deficit hawks now retired from office have stated that Norquist has become an obstacle to deficit reduction. Former Republican Senator Alan Simpson, co-chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, has been particularly critical, describing Norquist's position as "no taxes, under any situation, even if your country goes to hell."

Source: Taxpayer Protection Pledge 12-ATR on Jan 1, 2012

Opposes increasing tax rates.

Cruz opposes the CC Voters Guide question on tax rates

Christian Coalition publishes a number of special voter educational materials including the Christian Coalition Voter Guides, which provide voters with critical information about where candidates stand on important faith and family issues. The Christian Coalition Voters Guide summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Increasing federal income tax rates"

Source: Christian Coalition Voter Guide 12-CC-q11a on Oct 31, 2012

Supports eliminating the inheritance tax.

Cruz supports the CC Voters Guide question on the inheritance tax

Christian Coalition publishes a number of special voter educational materials including the Christian Coalition Voter Guides, which provide voters with critical information about where candidates stand on important faith and family issues. The Christian Coalition Voters Guide summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: "Permanent elimination of the "Death Tax""

Source: Christian Coalition Voter Guide 12-CC-q11b on Oct 31, 2012

Replace income tax and IRS with FairTax.

Cruz co-sponsored H.R.25 & S.155

Congressional Summary: This bill imposes a national sales tax in lieu of the current income and corporate income tax, employment taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The rate of the sales tax will be 23% in 2017, with adjustments in subsequent years. U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon family size and poverty guidelines. No funding is allowed for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2019. Finally, the FairTax terminates if the 16th Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within 7 years.

Supporters reasons for voting YEA: Rep. MORAN: I am all on board on tax reform, but the best solution is not tinkering with the current system; it is an overhaul of the current Tax Code. The FairTax, in my view, brings two goals front and center: to pass on to the next generation of Americans the freedoms and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution, and the opportunity for every American to live the American dream.

Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (by FairTaxWarrior.com):

Source: FairTax Act sponsored by 6 Senators and 64 Reps 15_S155 on Jan 13, 2015

Other candidates on Tax Reform: Ted Cruz on other issues:
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Page last updated: Jun 02, 2019