National sales tax - wouldn't that require a Constitutional Amendment?

[Hugabear]

It took a constitutional amendment to institute the income tax. Does Congress have the power to levy a national sales tax, or would that also require an amendment?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Nope... Congress has that authority

Not that I am in favor. But the authority is in there.

[MFrohike]

2. I wouldn't think so

The commerce clause should be broad enough to cover it. After all, all products have to be transported on roads at some point in their lifespan. That should provide the jurisdictional hook, given that Congress has absolute mastery over the roads.

That being said, I don't want one. It's a terrible idea.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. You are likely confused by the constitutional amendment authorizing the income tax

The constitution originally specifically forbade an income tax. So it was emended to allow an income tax. There never was a provision prohibiting a sales tax.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Article 1 Section 8 of the constitution empowers the congress to collect excises...

"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;"

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A1Sec8.html

excise: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excise

[TheWraith]

5. Unfortunately no. Commerce clause, or excise allowances.

Although there should be an amendment, which says that anyone who suggests such a goddamn moronic thing should be kicked in the nuts.

[JDPriestly]

6. I favor a VAT or national sales tax. It would equalize the tax burden

between imports and exports just a tiny bit.

Right now, companies do not have to pay, for example, payroll taxes, on the wages they pay to workers in other countries. But they have to pay that here. If we could replace some of the current taxes we have with a VAT, the advantages of outsourcing would be far fewer.

Actually, although businesses will argue that unions' demands make it unattractive to employ Americans, our long, long history of social peace and stability more than makes up for our protections of workers' rights -- even of the lower wages in third world countries.

The most important advantages of doing business overseas and producing goods are financial, but the risk of social upheaval overseas is much greater than here -- or at least was before our multinational corporations shafted American workers.

[PoliticAverse]

7. The prime objection to VAT/Sales Taxes is that they are 'regressive'. n/t

[JDPriestly]

8. Couldn't be more regressive than what we have.

And we could have more jobs with a VAT.