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To the editor:
Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled legislature want to lower the State's 9.99% corporate income tax rate. Should they do this? If yes, by how much should it be lowered?
Anytime new legislation is being proposed, it should be to address a need or correct a problem. For example, are too many corporations leaving Pennsylvania only because the tax rate is too high or are there other reasons?
If it is determined that a tax-rate reduction is needed, should the reduction be the same for all corporations, or should size, number of years in operation, locations, etc. be considered?
Presently, Pennsylvania has a similar problem with its personal income tax rate for individual taxpayers. A sliding scale, a graduated income tax rate, based on a taxpayer's ability to pay taxes, is not legal here like it is in all of our surrounding states and the federal government.
Taxes should be based on a taxpayer's ability to pay, and this should apply to businesses as well as individuals. Flat-rate taxes, like the state's personal income and sales taxes, and local taxation on the earned income of workers, occupational and per capita taxes burden working and middle class taxpayers and reward wealthy taxpayers.
Tax reform in Pennsylvania, based on a corporation's or individual's ability to pay is needed more than flat-rate tax cuts for all corporations.
Shoes and taxes have something in common. People with bigger feet need larger sizes, and taxpayers with larger incomes should have higher tax rates. One shoe size (tax rate) does not fit all.
David L Faust
Selinsgrove