Phase-outs

Eliminate or rationalize phase-outs. Many Code provisions confer benefits on individual taxpayers in the form of exclusions, exemptions, deductions, or credits. These provisions, many of which are complex in and of themselves, are further complicated because the benefits are specifically targeted to low and middle income taxpayers. The targeting is accomplished through the phasing out of benefits for individuals or families whose incomes exceed certain levels.

There is no consistency among the phase-outs in the measure of income, the range of income over which the phase-outs apply, or the method of applying the phase-outs. Phase-outs are, in fact, hidden tax increases that create irrational marginal income tax rates for affected taxpayers, add significantly to the length of tax returns, increase the potential for error, are difficult to understand, and make it extraordinarily difficult for taxpayers to know whether the benefits the provisions are intended to confer will ultimately be available. Affected taxpayers understandably react in anger upon discovering that they have lost – either wholly or partially – itemized deductions, personal exemptions, or credits. Simplicity would be achieved by (a) eliminating phase-outs altogether, (b) substituting cliffs for the phase-outs, or (c) providing consistency in the measure of income, the range of phase-out, and the method of phase-out.