Rating: 
Summary: My wife took my copy and I will have to buy another.
Review: A more timely book could not have reached booksellers this spring than John O. Fox's If Americans Really Understood the Income Tax-Uncovering Our Most Expensive Ignorance. It's an amazingly perceptive and well-written analysis of America's tax policy or rather our lack of any coherent one. Given the Bush Administration's emphasis right out of the box on a major tax cut and Congress's seemingly receptivity, Fox must be clairvoyant in terms of timing publication of this very important book. Not only is Fox's book a must read for the current Administration and Congress, but it also will go a long way toward enhancing taxpayers' understanding of how we got into the current tax mess and what needs to be done to achieve meaningful reforms.Bill Levit Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rating:
Summary: The Tax Connection
Review: Fox gets right down to two essential questions: "First, can the income tax be made reasonably fair, simple and economically efficient?" and "Second, are its flaws worth repairing, or would it be preferable to adopt a very different tax system?" He explains, in the clearest - non-polemic - way, what the tax picture really is. Early on he gives an example, the taxes of the Gepetto and Anton families - an example that lights up the rest of the book. The exposition is very clear and yet detailed enough to illustrate the nitty-gritty of several issues, including homeownership (where I got a tip or two) and the capital gains controversy. Fox is broadminded and flexible in his approach - perhaps an endangered species writing about such a hot topic. There is immediacy about his writing making the book a gripping page-turner rather than pedantic.
Rating:
Summary: The Tax Connection
Review: Fox gets right down to two essential questions: "First, can the income tax be made reasonably fair, simple and economically efficient?" and "Second, are its flaws worth repairing, or would it be preferable to adopt a very different tax system?" He explains, in the clearest - non-polemic - way, what the tax picture really is. Early on he gives an example, the taxes of the Gepetto and Anton families - an example that lights up the rest of the book. The exposition is very clear and yet detailed enough to illustrate the nitty-gritty of several issues, including homeownership (where I got a tip or two) and the capital gains controversy. Fox is broadminded and flexible in his approach - perhaps an endangered species writing about such a hot topic. There is immediacy about his writing making the book a gripping page-turner rather than pedantic.
Rating:
Summary: Send a Copy to your Senator
Review: How timely! Read this while you're still hurting from your April tax payments. This devastating book explains in simple terms why most Americans lose big-time from all the special exemptions and provisions in the income tax that benefit mainly the wealthiest. Fox shows how much lower tax rates could be for everybody if these special benefits were capped. This book is clear and informative but the bottom line is that Congress has created an incredible set of entitlement programs for those who don't need them, at our expense.
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Summary: Tax Made Simple
Review: I don't know about you, but the whole tax snarl is getting me down. John Fox's book shows the way to a better system. This is a good read right now (April 13)or as soon as you emerge from the annual dither and can stand to comtemplate That Subject again. Legislators should read it; voters should read it and e-mail their legislators. The sooner the better.
Rating:
Summary: every person should read this book!
Review: john fox has written a very important book published at a most critical time. as a nation we have begun a national dialogue on the income tax. most often, the dialogue is reduced to soundbites and simplistic reference to 'reducing tax rates stimulates spending'. our ignorance about the impact of the current and proposed schemes on social and economic policy gives politicians sole jurisdiction over this subject. we all must become more knowledgeable about the relationship between tax policy and national values. I encourage everyone to read and learn from mr. fox's outstanding book.
Rating:
Summary: Must read
Review: John Fox's take on taxes is a must read for anyone who cares about tax equity and the well-being of the body politic. When I first studied taxes as an employee of the California Legislature -- now nearly four decades ago -- we learned that simple equity -- equal treatment of equals -- was the first principle of a fair and just tax system; absent equity the system would be manifestly unfair and eventually would lose its legitimacy, the greatest danger a democratic republic can face. As Fox points out,that's exactly what's happening with modern tax policy -- regressive, unfair, unjust are the attributes that leap out at you. But Fox does more than point the finger of blame; he offers constructive suggestions to get the system back where it belongs, to restore fairness and legitimacy.
Rating:
Summary: Must read
Review: John Fox's take on taxes is a must read for anyone who cares about tax equity and the well-being of the body politic. When I first studied taxes as an employee of the California Legislature -- now nearly four decades ago -- we learned that simple equity -- equal treatment of equals -- was the first principle of a fair and just tax system; absent equity the system would be manifestly unfair and eventually would lose its legitimacy, the greatest danger a democratic republic can face. As Fox points out,that's exactly what's happening with modern tax policy -- regressive, unfair, unjust are the attributes that leap out at you. But Fox does more than point the finger of blame; he offers constructive suggestions to get the system back where it belongs, to restore fairness and legitimacy.
Rating:
Summary: A Rare Understandable Book on the Income Tax
Review: Mr. Fox has made clear and understandable the relationship between Washington, politics, and our pocketbooks. Every taxpayer who wants a fair shake should read this book and remember its lessons when we go to the polls. Even someone without background in economics (and count me in) can find this explanation of our taxes and what has happened to them easy to follow and informative. I'm really glad I read this.
Rating: 
Summary: Income Tax Ignorance
Review: Plain and simple, the Amercan people know nothing when it comes to Income Taxes.They know nothing about their Constitutional Rights with regards to the Income Tax and they do not know how to use the three Internal Revenue Code Sections in the Prvacy Act Notice in the 1040 instruction booklet. An old saying is quoted by judges; "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse". The very first IRC section in the Privacy Act Notice is 6001. Most people would not know where to search for the information of this code section. The very first sentence implies Liability. In looking in the Index of the IRC under Liability for Tax, you will find all of the subjects that are taxed. Income is NOT one of them. For tax purposes, Income is defined by the Supreme Court as a Gain or Profit earned by Privlege. Every citizen of the USA has a Right to work for compensation. I rated this book low and the little bit of expose offered is proof that the author does not know or implies he does not know the Truth about the Income Tax.
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