Quote from bigarrow:
Removing accelerated depreciation of machinery and equipment wouldn't save any money except in the first few years, the equipement will be depreciated fully over time any way. Home mortgage deduction probably makes sense to phase out and taxing most capital gains and dividends as ordinary income also makes some sense, this might have to be offset with a reduction of corporate taxes. Removing of charitable contributions also makes sense. The employeer deductions are legitmate business expenses and should be kept as should the 401K deductions.
I agree that the employer deduction for health insurance is a business expense and therefore deductible. But the loophole is the employee receiving health care insurance tax free.
I think we will see a standard deduction for health insurance. EG, a $10k deduction. So if you receive health insurance valued at $12K you will have $2K of taxable income.
Same idea for the mortgage interest deduction. Maybe allow it for your primary residence, but reduce or eliminate this deduction for your vacation home or boat.
The 401K must stand no matter how hard both parties covet the extra revenue created if this loophole is eliminated.
It's interesting that the oil company and corporate jet loopholes don't appear in the top ten list.
Seneca
