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Haggling over the U.S. corporate tax rate makes little sense | Letters
Here’s what readers are saying in Monday’s letters to the editor.
 
How many corporations actually pay the maximum corporate tax rate?
How many corporations actually pay the maximum corporate tax rate? [ LM OTERO | AP ]
Published Sept. 20, 2021

Empower the IRS

Democrats seek corporate, wealthy tax hikes for $3.5T rebuilding plan | Sept. 13

Once again, Congress is haggling over the corporate tax rate, as if the decision actually mattered much. There is ample evidence that very few corporations pays taxes approaching the maximum corporate tax rate, and even more evidence that some huge corporations, pay no federal income taxes whatsoever.

The real problem is that Republicans have neutered the Internal Revenue Service, starving it of the personnel and technology necessary to assure that all of us — corporations and individuals, alike — pay what we should. If the Republicans are truly concerned about the taxes corporations pay, they need to fund the IRS to do its job, not quibble over meaningless tax rates.

Stephen Phillips, St. Petersburg

Collect the taxes already owed

Memo to Democrats: Lean into ‘soaking the rich’ | Column, Sept. 16

I am so tired of hearing, “Tax the rich! Tax the rich!” We need to tax everybody — fairly. First lets start with the corporate tax. We need a minimum tax payment rate of 22%. That means we don’t care what corporations write off; they pay 22% minimum in federal tax.

Next we need to raise the gas tax by $0.25 to pay for infrastructure. The gas tax hasn’t increased since 1993. The infrastructure projects will create more — and better paying — jobs. In turn, those workers will pay more federal payroll taxes and pay into Social Security.

But wait! The middle class and lower classes would be paying more. Lower the tax rates for them, but at the same time, Congress also has to support the Internal Revenue Service with collecting the money that is owed by the wealthy. Those not paying the required taxes are tax criminals and should be dealt with properly. The money is there; we just need to get it.

Fred Grunewald, Land O’ Lakes

Wasting tax dollars

Judge finalizes ruling upholding school mask mandates; DeSantis appeals order | Sept. 2

When I voted for our current governor, I was encouraged over his early performance. But after the last few months, I am convinced he will never get my vote again. He only seems concerned with protecting his opinions instead of the scientific evidence staring him in the face. I only have one question for him now. How much of taxpayer money is going into legal fees to support all the motions to overturn sound decisions made by the courts?

Jack Summers, MD, PhD, Sun City Center