MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Monday, January 26, 1998 

MEDIA ADVISORY: NCPA Expert To Testify on Marriage Tax Penalty

Click for Testimony Transcript

Washington, D.C. - National Center for Policy Analysis Senior Fellow Bruce Bartlett will testify on the marriage tax penalty at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing Wednesday, January 28, 1998. A marriage tax penalty results when a married couple pays more taxes by filing jointly than they would pay if each spouse could file as a single. Marriage penalties only apply when both spouses have earned incomes - an unfair occurrence considering that single-earner couples never pay a penalty. In fact, single-earner families always get a bonus from the Tax Code.

Bartlett will testify that the marriage tax penalty may be the most persuasive argument for a flat tax or national sales tax. The penalty could be eliminated by allowing couples the choice of filing as singles or jointly. But Bartlett will testify that this solution and almost any other solution will increase the complexity of the Tax Code.

Bruce Bartlett is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policies at the U.S. Treasury Department. In 1987 and 1988 he served as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Policy Development at the White House.

WHO:

Bruce Bartlett NCPA Senior Fellow

WHAT:

Marriage Tax Penalty Testimony Before The House Ways and Means Committee

WHEN:

10 a.m., Wednesday

January 28, 1998

WHERE:

1100 Longworth House Office Building

*Bruce Bartlett is available for media interviews. To schedule an interview contact Joan Kirby at NCPA's Washington office (202/220-3082).

# # # #

The National Center for Policy Analysis is a public policy research institute founded in 1983 and internationally known for its studies on public policy issues. The NCPA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with an office in Washington, D.C.

For more information:
Katy Meaker Menges, Dallas, TX 972-386-6272
Joan Kirby, Washington, DC 202-220-3082
Internet: http://www.ncpa.org



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