Posted: May 19, 2005 By: glenda barth

Subject: web page presentation and use

Comment: In order to facilitate response by taxpayers, a list of the ideas under consideration should be compiled and listed rather than requiring the commenter to read the text of each meeting.

The method currently used discourages participation because a reviewer who is familar with tax issue discussion cannot efficiently review what the panel is considering. Is this deliberate?

My second issue addresses the entire process. A regular review of federal tax policy is beneficial, however, we Americans now number approximately 300 million persons attempting to live under one legal umbrella. While simplicity is appealing, it may not be fair. I think fairness is a more compelling and necessary goal than simplicity.

Ease of use of the tax code could be created by using simple English construction. The manner of writing in the tax code is very different than in other codes in the federal body of law. Read the anti-discrimination testing rules in ERISA. They are convoluted and anything but straight forward. This is good place for simplicity.

Thank you for your effort.

Glenda Barth