A Fine Mess - Kirjakasa

Paperback, 304 pages

Published April 3, 2018 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-311114-6

(1 review)

The U.S. tax code is a total write-off. Crammed with loopholes and special interest provisions, it works for no one except tax lawyers, accountants, and huge corporations. Not for the first time, we have reached a breaking point-- in fact, we reach one every thirty-two years. T.R. Reid crisscrosses the globe in search of exact solutions to the urgent tax problems of the United States. With an uncanny knack for making a complex subjects not just accessible but gripping, he investigates what makes good taxation (no, that's not an oxymoron) and brings that knowledge home where it is needed most. Reid presses the case for sensible root-and-branch reforms that will affect everyone. Doing our taxes will never be America's favorite pastime, but it can and should be so much easier and fairer. --

3 editions

Thom reviewed A fine mess by T. R. Reid

Review of 'A fine mess' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Interesting and relevant, Reid writes about some alternatives for a tax system that is due for an overhaul. He explores history, ways to measure the effects, and how various ideas (flat tax, VAT, progressive and simple) have worked in other countries around the world. He also examines various schemes to avoid taxes, some for individuals but mostly for companies (Apple, Starbucks).

For a (relatively) dry subject, the author injects humor at times, and the history is very well done. His approach isn't partisan, and uses clear measures to see the impacts of various taxes on different earners and spenders. The best system is known as BBLR - broad base, low rate - and any exemptions or credits just narrow the base (and therefore increase the rate).

Some of the most interesting ideas are automated taxes (just check a postcard or email to see if they are right - 99+% are) …

Interesting and relevant, Reid writes about some alternatives for a tax system that is due for an overhaul. He explores history, ways to measure the effects, and how various ideas (flat tax, VAT, progressive and simple) have worked in other countries around the world. He also examines various schemes to avoid taxes, some for individuals but mostly for companies (Apple, Starbucks).

For a (relatively) dry subject, the author injects humor at times, and the history is very well done. His approach isn't partisan, and uses clear measures to see the impacts of various taxes on different earners and spenders. The best system is known as BBLR - broad base, low rate - and any exemptions or credits just narrow the base (and therefore increase the rate).

Some of the most interesting ideas are automated taxes (just check a postcard or email to see if they are right - 99+% are) and a combination broad base low rate tax and VAT. The anecdotes are also great reading. The audio book is read by the author, but lacks some of the graphics and footnotes. While this falls short of 5 stars, it is clearly more than 4. Check it out!