Column: Tax Reform Making Real Difference for All
By: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. 
April 20, 2018

In 1986, our phones had cords, Ronald Reagan was president and a copy of the Denton Record-Chronicle cost 25 cents. It also was the last time Congress passed comprehensive tax reform -- until last fall.

This spring, as attention turned to W2s and 1099s, North Texans have filed their 2017 taxes using the old, outdated tax code for the last time. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is making the tax code simpler and more competitive for hardworking American families. When Americans file taxes for 2018, they will keep more of their hard-earned money.

Each Congress, I introduce legislation to enact a flat tax, an idea that was popularized by my predecessor, former Majority Leader Dick Armey. For me, a flat tax, where all Americans are taxed at a single rate, is the simplest and fairest way to raise revenue.

While Congress has yet to achieve Armey's vision, the significant simplification of the tax code enacted by the tax law is a big win for middle-class taxpayers. It moves our complicated system in the right direction -- fast, simple and fair taxes.