Senators seek public input on taxes

The Senate’s top tax writers want the public to weigh in on their tax reform efforts.

{mosads}Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and the panel’s top Democrat, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), say that individuals, businesses and outside groups alike should give their opinion to the tax reform working groups they set up.

“By opening up our bipartisan working groups to public input, we hope to gain a greater understanding of how tax policy affects individuals, businesses, and civic groups across our nation,” Hatch and Wyden said in a joint statement.

“In doing so, we will also equip our working groups with valuable input, and we hope these suggestions will help guide the groups through the arduous task of putting forth substantive ideas to reform the tax code in each of their areas.”

Hatch and Wyden have created working groups to delve into five separate areas – individual taxes, business taxes, savings and investment, international tax and community development and infrastructure. Leaders in both parties have said they want to overhaul the tax code, but have had a difficult time making progress over the last four years.

Former House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) also set up working groups has he sought to spur momentum for tax reform in the last Congress.