WASHINGTON, D.C. – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), America’s largest taxpayer advocacy group, today marked Tax Day by calling for reforming and reducing the nation’s taxes.  Specifically, CAGW called for across-the-board tax relief, a moratorium on Internet taxation, and a simple flat tax.

“How can three little letters – I R S – so consistently strike fear into the hearts of law-abiding Americans?” asked CAGW President Tom Schatz.  “Nobody wants to part with their hard-earned money, but most Americans are willing to pay their fair share.  However, Uncle Sam is taking far more than his fair share.  Taxes are just too high.”

Schatz noted that the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has calculated that the average household will overpay $5,307 in taxes over the next 10 years if projections for budget surpluses for that period are accurate.  “Leaving hundreds of billions of dollars in Washington will only lead to more government waste and abuse.  When you overpay your electric bill, your water bill, or your gas bill, you get a rebate.  Americans are being overcharged on their government bill, and they deserve a rebate,” Schatz continued.  “It’s time for a tax cut that is both broad and deep.”

In calling for a simple flat tax, Schatz warned against the dangers of politically attractive but economically harmful “targeted” tax cuts.  “The tax code is just too complex,” Schatz said.  “Too many Americans can’t do their taxes without paying for professional help.  President Clinton’s targeted tax cuts have only compounded the problem.  More targeted tax cuts will just make the situation worse, and won’t lower the tax burden for many Americans.  Anything less than an across-the-board tax cut and a flat tax is not real tax relief – it’s just death by a thousand tax cuts.”

CAGW is a 600,000 member group dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.