Question

In recent years, has Congress been relatively successful in simplifying the Internal Revenue Code?

1) Yes
2) No

Answer 1

In recent years, Congress has not been relatively successful in simplifying the Internal Revenue Code.

Step-by-step explanation:

In recent years, Congress has not been relatively successful in simplifying the Internal Revenue Code. The tax code remains complicated and has undergone revisions with the aim of making it simpler, but the overall effectiveness of Congress in achieving this goal has been limited.

For example, the Tax Reform Act of 1986, passed during Ronald Reagan's second term, made significant changes to the tax code, but it did not result in a complete simplification. The highest tax bracket was lowered, and various tax brackets were eliminated, but complex provisions and tax shelters for corporations remained.

In recent years, Congress has been less effective in general, passing fewer pieces of legislation, including tax-related bills. The total number of substantive legislation passed has decreased, indicating a decrease in effectiveness when it comes to tax reform and simplification.