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Nikki Haley on Tax Reform
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Reduce tax burden every single year: eliminate 6% bracket
We cannot rest on our laurels when it comes to our tax rates. You've long heard me say that South Carolina needs to reduce our tax burden every single year.
Never has that been more important than now, with our citizens opening their paychecks this month and seeing that, low and behold, Washington's tax hikes on the rich somehow got them too.
This year, I propose that we eliminate the six percent tax bracket. This reform cuts taxes for the overwhelming majority of people who pay income tax, and not a single South Carolinian will pay more. Other states have seen the successes we've had in
South Carolina and are nipping at our heels. Look around the nation and see all the governors, the legislators, the states that are proposing slashing or even eliminating their income taxes. We have to keep up.
Source: 2013 State of the State address to S. C. Legislature
, Jan 16, 2013
Flatten individual income tax from six brackets to three
Tax reform is critical to our state--every conversation we have with CEOs at some point drifts to our tax structure. Our budget includes almost $140 million in tax cuts for the people and businesses of South Carolina. These cuts will flatten the
individual income tax from six brackets to three, reduce taxes for the citizens of our state by almost 80 million dollars, and phase out the corporate income tax over a four year period, injecting much needed dollars back into our businesses
and giving us an unbelievable economic development tool. The tax relief we ultimately adopt must be broad-based, offering relief to as many South Carolinians as possible. And these tax cuts should mean lower rates--not more credits, exemptions, and
loopholes that only benefit a chosen few. Together, I believe we can agree to a set of tax cuts that make South Carolina more competitive and send more dollars back where they belong--in the pockets of the people and businesses of our state.
Source: 2012 S.C. State of the State Address
, Jan 18, 2012
29 taxes out of 32 create little revenue but add bureaucracy
While the Department of Revenue administers 32 taxes, only three of those taxes generate over 90% of General Fund revenue: the individual income tax, the corporate income tax, and the sales and use taxes. The remaining taxes add layers of bureaucracy,
while garnering little revenue for the state. Simplifying the tax structure will help businesses understand and comply with tax codes, while simultaneously shrinking South Carolina's tax bureaucracy.
Source: 2010 Gubernatorial campaign website, nikkihaley.com "Issues"
, Nov 2, 2010
Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.
Haley 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
Page last updated: Mar 11, 2019
