PRESIDENT'S TAX REFORM PANEL INVITES COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC TAX REFORM PROPOSALS

WASHINGTON , DC - Senators Connie Mack and John Breaux, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, today announced that the Panel is inviting interested parties to submit comments on the various tax reform proposals that have been presented to the Panel. These comments should be submitted by June 10, 2005 . The presentations from last week's meetings, as well as other written submissions, are available at www.taxreformpanel.gov.

"At our two-day public meeting last week, 27 witnesses presented ideas and specific proposals for reforming the tax code," stated Senator Connie Mack, Chairman of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. "The Panel is now beginning to evaluate these ideas as well as other proposals that have been submitted to the Panel. We look forward to hearing the views of individuals, businesses, and associations about the potential benefits and problems with reform proposals that we have received."

"Our goal is to provide tax reform options that are simpler, fairer, and pro-growth, and so it is important that we continue to hear from Americans about the kind of tax system they want," said Senator John Breaux, Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

This is the Panel's third specific request for comments. In connection with its first two requests, the Panel received thousands of comments describing complexities and burdens, unfair aspects and distortions in the current tax system, and specific proposals for reforming the tax code.

Information on how to submit comments as well as details on the format for comments are available at www.taxreformpanel.gov/contact/ . Comments submitted in connection with this third request should be received by the Panel no later than June 10, 2005 . Comments should be limited to 5 pages (excluding a one-page summary) of double-spaced written text in 12 point font. All comments submitted will be made available to the public.

The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform was established by President Bush on January 7, 2005 . President Bush has charged the bipartisan panel with recommending reforms to the tax code that will make the U.S. tax system simpler, fairer and more growth oriented.

Further details are available on the Panel's website at www.taxreformpanel.gov .

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