Having promised "the biggest tax cut in history," and seemingly desperate for a win (given his folding on the funding of the wall), one wonders why President Trump has delegated the announcement of his Tax Reform plan to Treasury Secretaty Steven Mnuchin and Chief Economic Advisor Gary Cohn. Reduction, repatriation, simplification, and de-itemization appear to be the cornerstones.
2017 Tax Reform for Economic Growth and American Jobs
The Biggest Individual And Business Tax Cut in American History
Goals For Tax Reform
- Grow the economy and create millions of jobs
- Simplify our burdensome tax code
- Provide tax relief to American families—especially middle-income families
- Lower the business tax rate from one of the highest in the world to one of the lowest
Individual Reform
- Tax relief for American families, especially middle-income families:
- Reducing the 7 tax brackets to 3 tax brackets of to%, 25% and 35%
- Doubling the standard deduction
- Providing tax relief for families with child and dependent care expenses
- Simplification:
- Eliminate targeted tax breaks that mainly benefit the wealthiest taxpayers
- Protect the home ownership and charitable gift tax deductions
- Repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax
- Repeal the death tax
- Repeal the 3.8% Obamacare tax that hits small businesses and investment income
Business Reform
- 15% business tax rate
- Territorial tax system to level the playing field for American companies
- One-time tax on trillions of dollars held overseas
- Eliminate tax breaks for special interests
Process
Throughout the month of May, the Trump Administration will hold listening sessions with stakeholders to receive their input and will continue working with the House and Senate to develop the details of a plan that provides massive tax relief, creates jobs, and makes America more competitive—and can pass both chambers.
Of course the crucial question is - With The White House targeting deductions to help pay for tax plan (but mortgage/charitable are protected), how does this not blow up deficit?
We look forward to Steve Mnuchin and Gary Cohn explaining it all (with as many superlatives as possible we are sure).
Perhaps the most concerning aspect is the apparent expectations management that is being undertaken this morning:
The White House's presentation will be "pretty broad in the principles," said Marc Short, Trump's director of legislative affairs.
In the coming weeks, Trump will solicit more ideas on how to improve it, Short said. The specifics should start to come this summer.
Short said the administration did not want to set a firm timeline, after demanding a quick House vote on a health care bill and watching it fail.
But, Short added, "I don't see this sliding into 2018."
Live Feed (due to begin at 1330ET)
The biggest question is - will this be enough to satisfy the market?
For now it's disappointed...