By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

**Click here to download the audio recording of this week’s column**

Millions of Americans are filing their taxes this month. Each year, people procrastinate as they dread the April 15th deadline. Due to the observance of Emancipation Day this year, Americans will have an extra three days to file their 2015 tax returns. Having three extra days is convenient, but the filing process remains tedious, complicated, and unnecessary in many respects.

Nebraskans spend a great deal of time and stress filling out complicated documents, meeting with expensive accountants, and digging through cupboards and shoeboxes to find receipts. Because our tax code is riddled with arcane rules and fine print, it’s nearly impossible for anyone without a degree in tax law to fully understand. This process causes frustration and financial hardship for families in Nebraska and across the country. 

Tax Day is an annual reminder that our tax code is not working. As your Senator, I am fully committed to promoting a tax system that provides more certainty for families and helps boost our economy. I believe tax reform should focus on the principles of competitiveness, simplicity, and economic growth. 

The United States has the highest combined corporate tax rate in the developed world. At nearly 40 percent, this rate is stifling economic growth and compelling businesses to move jobs and revenue overseas. Any comprehensive reform should seek to lower this rate to a competitive level, one that will not only encourage businesses to stay, but also incentivize new businesses to set up shop.

Fundamentally, any plan to reform the tax code must spur economic growth. By eliminating loopholes and carve outs, we can broaden the base of taxpayers and produce new revenue. This will result in lower rates across the board and put more money back in the pockets of hard-working Americans.

Another goal of comprehensive tax reform should be simplicity. Taxpayers and businesses alike spend billions of hours each year completing their taxes and a disproportionate share of this burden is shouldered by small businesses.

Our work does not stop there. I am also focused on several legislative proposals to lessen the economic burdens created by ObamaCare, which has made the process of filing taxes more challenging. Americans began answering ObamaCare-related questions on their tax forms last year and I am fighting the costly tax provisions buried in the law’s fine print. That is why I joined Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming as an original cosponsor of the Jobs and Premium Protection Act. This bill would repeal the annual tax on health-insurance plans created by ObamaCare. 

While we have made some progress in reforming the tax code, there is more work to do for the American people. I will continue to push for common-sense solutions that lead to comprehensive tax reform. Additionally, I remain committed to working on legislative proposals to bolster economic growth across this nation. 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.