If you want to change a tax law, know who holds the reins. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) might be the first entity that comes to mind, but they’re merely the enforcers, not the lawmakers. Your actual target should be Congress, the body that crafts and enacts tax legislation. Similarly, if you’re aiming to influence state taxes, set your sights on the state legislature, the entity responsible for making those decisions. And for changes in county or city taxes, look towards county commissions or city councils. They’re the ones you need to persuade.
So, rather than expending your energy voicing concerns to the IRS, channel your efforts toward your elected representatives. They’re the ones who can initiate real change. Sharing your innovative and original ideas on tax reform with them is a step in the right direction. Engaging in thoughtful dialogue and presenting well-reasoned arguments can make all the difference. Remember, the power to influence tax policy lies in proactive engagement with those who have the authority to amend it.
In the realm of federal policies, engaging with the Joint Committee on Taxation can be a strategic move. This committee assists elected officials with the intricate tasks of researching, estimating, and crafting tax proposals for Congress to consider. A prime example of its importance came to light when, during the debates over the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I was made aware of the discussions to potentially remove the tax-free withdrawal benefit from Roth accounts.
Another avenue for deepening your understanding and influence on tax policy is through opportunities at the Tax Foundation. This organization delves into tax policy research and produces insights that directly reach policymakers, taxpayers, and lobbyists alike. The Tax Foundation prides itself on being nonpartisan. However, if you’re inclined to align with a particular viewpoint, there are countless groups on both sides of the spectrum where you can contribute to advocating for changes in tax legislation.
Lastly, a more direct route to influencing U.S. tax laws is to consider a career in politics by running for a seat in the Senate or the House of Representatives. This path allows you to have a hands-on role in shaping the tax legislation that affects millions of Americans.
To run for the House, the requirements are:
To run for the Senate, the requirements are:
Regardless of your opinion on taxes—whether you feel they’re too low, too high, or should be abolished altogether—if you’re truly committed to addressing what you perceive as a problem with taxes, you now have the knowledge to take meaningful action. Remember, it’s the action that counts.
If you don’t know how the work actually gets done, your proposed improvements are unlikely to have the effects that you expect
— Lorin Hochstein