Tax Fairness
A married working American woman must pay taxes at the same rates as those of her husband, regardless of the gap between her salary and his, even if she earns only the minimum wage. She must also pay Social Security payroll taxes up to the same maximum as her husband, even if he has maxed out on his. In return, she gets few, if any extra benefits. After considering all taxes and all costs (including child care and other services she had previously provided as a homemaker), she only receives 35 cents out of every dollar she earns. Current tax laws, written in the middle of the last century, continue to favor single-income households and seemingly punish all other configurations.
Why can't we have a fairer tax system for two-earner couples? At a minimum, both spouses should be able to file completely separate tax returns, if that helps them in terms of tax liability and economic equity. Why should we punish those who choose to contribute to the financial stability of their homes as well as economic strength of our nation? Further, why can't we receive tax relief in return for purchasing benefits typically granted to full-time employees of large corporations, such as retirement plans, health insurance, and daycare?
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