In 2005, Americans paid about $2.1 trillion in combined federal taxes, including income, payroll, and excise taxes, or about 16.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These taxes fund the services provided by government. As taxpayers, we balance the costs of taxes with the benefits of government. The goal of tax policy is to design a tax system that produces the desired amount of revenue and balances the minimisation of compliance and efficiency costs with other objectives, such as equity, transparency, and administrability. This book examines the detail which is where vested interests do their damage.

Numerous fed. programs, policies, & activities are supported through the tax code. As described in statute, tax expenditures are reductions in tax liabilities that result from preferential provisions, such as tax exclusions, credits, & deductions. They result in revenue forgone. This report is part of an effort to assist Congress in reexamining & transforming the gov't. to meet the many challenges & opportunities that we face in the 21st century. This report describes: (1) how tax expenditures have changed over the past 3 decades in number, size, & in comparison to fed. revenue, spending, & the economy, & (2) the amount of progress made since 1994 recommend. to improve scrutiny of tax expend. Includes recommend. Charts & tables.

This book presents an array of carefully selected current important business issues which have been carefully selected for this book.