Tax Reform

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) believes we need a simpler, fairer tax code that protects working families, encourages economic growth and domestic job creation, and is fiscally responsible.

In February 2013, Ranking Member Levin (D-MI) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced the formation of 11 separate Ways and Means Tax Reform Working Groups. The working groups were responsible for compiling feedback on its the designated topic from: (1) stakeholders, (2) academics and think tanks, (3) practitioners, (4) the general public and (5) colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Click here for more information about the tax reform working groups.

Stakeholders, advocacy groups and the public have shared comments, information, facts, and data relevant to the Committee's review of current federal income. Click here to read the comments submitted.  

In June 2011, Ranking Member Levin gave a speech at the Center for American Progress that laid out his principles for reform and cautioned against setting irresponsible tax rate targets. A full copy and excerpts of the speech are available below, as is an analysis of how various tax deductions and credits are distributed across income brackets and a fact sheet highlighting the cost of the Bush tax cuts for upper-income taxpayers.

All comments submitted to the tax reform working groups are available here.

Press Release:

Levin, Camp Statement on Release of Joint Committee on Taxation Tax Reform Working Group

Click on any of the following links for more information:

Ranking Member Levin’s Speech on Tax Reform – June 3, 2011 Center for American Progress

Excerpts of the speech

Read the full text of the speech 

Distributional Analysis of Selected Tax Expenditures
Learn more about how some tax programs affect middle-class families.

Fact Sheet on Bush Tax Cuts for Upper-Income Taxpayers
Learn more about how the Bush Tax Cuts disproportionately help millionaires.