just like small businesses.
Instead of your employer withholding federal and state income tax, and social security and Medicare taxes, every employee gets a full paycheck. Every quarter, the employee must send quarterly estimated taxes. At the end of the year, he or she either gets a small refund or pays a little extra.
Of course, under the current system, these are automatically deducted at an ever-so slightly higher than needed level so that the employee is used to his normally low paycheck and tax time is celebration with a much needed refund. But the math works out the same either way.
I only propose this so that all taxpayers can actually see what is leaving his or her pocket to pay for government. You may say that in doing so, I am attempting to lower taxes. I confess that you’ve got me there. But whether you support higher, current level, or lower taxes, shouldn’t the payer at least be aware that he is actually paying the taxes? It would be sort of a “truth in advertising” proposal that lets everyone see just how much each level of government takes and they can ask to pay more, be happy, or demand lower taxes as each person sees fit. Sole proprietors already do this with little collection problems.
If you don’t like this proposal, I would ask that you at least consider that you oppose it on the grounds that you are afraid that people will be up in arms demanding lower taxes and that you like the idea that it is somewhat hidden from the middle class so you can continue with big government.