The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is an onerous tax that I have long opposed. It was originally enacted to make sure that all taxpayers, especially high-income taxpayers, paid at least a minimum amount of federal taxes.  Because the AMT is not indexed for inflation, many more hard-working folks will be subject to increased taxes and Congress needs to change that.

After not addressing this problem for months, the Democratic leadership finally introduced and passed the Temporary Tax Relief Act which would provide temporary relief for some taxes and permanent increases for others.  The Senate took up this same bill, the tax increases were removed and a “clean” AMT fix was passed. The House passed the Senate’s version with my support and the President signed it into law.

Unfortunately, this bill is only a temporary fix to a problem that needs a permanent solution. That’s why I am a co-sponsor of the Taxpayer Choice Act which would permanently repeal the AMT and establish the Simplified Tax for individual income. This bill would give taxpayers the option of either paying taxes under the new Simplified Tax or under the existing code. Hardworking Americans deserve tax relief and I will continue fighting for real tax reform.