How Can the Tax Code be Reformed to Promote Economic Growth and Sufficient Revenue?

Please join the Mercatus Center for an in-depth expert panel discussion grounded in academic expertise and practical know-how on how the tax code can be reformed to foster economic growth and fairness—and provide sufficient revenue to meet our commitments.

Who: Donald Marron, Director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center; Bruce Yandle, Dean Emeritus, Clemson College of Business and Behavioral Sciences and Mercatus Center Professor of Economics; and Jason Fichtner, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center

The principle aim of the tax code is to raise enough revenue to meet the government’s spending requirements while providing the structure and incentives for sustained economic growth. But the current tax code fails on both counts: by severely distorting market decisions, it impedes both potential economic growth and potential tax revenue. It is also overly complex, inefficient, inequitable, and ultimately, unsustainable.

This discussion will focus on the following questions:

• What are the key distortions in the current tax code? 
• Is it better to reform the current tax code or scrap it and start over?
• How can the tax code be crafted to provide the proper structures and incentives to promote economic growth and increase revenue?
• How should we measure and consider fairness in the context of tax reform?

This event is the second of a four-part series, "How the Debt Committee Can Significantly Improve Our Fiscal Course." Don't miss the other three events addressing fundamental budget reform, budget process reform, and spending reform.

This event is not open to the general public. Due to space constraints, please no interns without prior approval. Food will be provided. For any questions, please contact Julie Burden at jburden2@gmu.edu or 703-344-3219.