What's the difference between a flat tax and a fair tax?

Most agree that America's current tax code isn't perfect. Many point to tax policy in other nations, saying they have been more effective and the United States is lagging behind. Two alternatives that claim to improve the system have come to the forefront in American politics: the flat tax and the FairTax.

You've probably heard talk of these plans in the media. In the 2000 presidential campaign, Green Party candidate Ralph Nadar supported the flat tax, and in the 2008 campaign, Republican Mike Huckabee threw his favor behind the FairTax. But as you hear names thrown around and see bumper stickers promoting one or the other, you may have been confused about what exactly the differences are between the two.

To better understand how each plan would change things, we first have to know the basics of the current system and the major criticisms of it. As it stands, Americans pay a progressive income tax -- meaning that higher incomes get taxed at higher percentages than lower incomes. Specifically, the current system uses margins -- also known as tax brackets, or ranges of income -- to determine what percentage a person pays. Taxable income can also depend on how much you've earned in capital gains or on specific deductions and exemptions that apply. The federal government taxes a corporation's profits in a similar way.

Many critics consider the tax code confusing and impossible for the average taxpayer to decipher -- often requiring a hired professional. Even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner has admitted that complexity of the tax code contributes to both honest mistakes and tax evasion [source: IRS]. Others go further, saying that the progressive tax system is inherently unfair, as it puts an excessive burden on the wealthy. In relation to this criticism, opponents claim that this burden discourages behavior that would promote economic growth. Were the government to revamp the system to change this, the argument goes, all would benefit from a more prosperous economy in the long run.

Although they both have similar goals and would entail significant overhaul of the current system, the plans differ is some fundamental ways. Whereas the flat tax would tax all income at the same percentage, the FairTax wouldn't tax income at all -- it would instead institute a national sales tax. Next, we'll explain the differences in more detail.

Flat Tax vs. FairTax

Neither the flat tax nor the FairTax plans are radically new ideas. The U.S. implemented a flat income tax for a short time after the Civil War. Many states and countries use a flat tax today, but the specific plan for the FairTax is relatively new and dates back to the mid-1990s. Did you know that the U.S. federal government relied on sales tax before the income tax was fully enforced with the passing of the 16th Amendment in 1913? To understand how radically different the two ideas are, let's delve into how each would work.

Supporters of a flat tax believe that the only fair income tax would apply an equal percentage to all taxpayers. Specifically, many supporters advocate a rate of 17 percent. In other words, if one person earned $50,000 a year and another earned $300,000 a year, both would pay 17 percent of their income to the federal government. Although flat tax plans do away with most of the exemptions, loopholes and deductions that result in much of the complexity of the current system, many versions include an exemption for families [source: Mitchell]. Advocates say that, with a flat tax, most people could figure their annual taxes on a simple postcard.

The most notable element of the FairTax is that it would completely abolish Federal income and corporate taxes as well as the Internal Revenue Service. Instead, it would institute a national sales tax that would pull in enough to cover all government programs -- taking revenue from what is spent rather than what is earned [source: FairTax.org]. To make sure that the poor don't suffer the brunt of these sales taxes, the government would send a monthly check called a prebate to families that would cover taxes on necessary expenses. The idea is that "no American pays tax on necessities" [source: AFT]. The check amount would be up to the poverty level; a family doesn't need to fall below the poverty line to receive one.

Mike Huckabee speaks at a rally for supporters of the FairTax during his run for president in 2008.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

The two plans have a lot in common: They both eliminate many forms of taxes and claim to be fairer than the current system. Proponents of both the flat tax and the FairTax say that their plan will improve everyone's situation because it will promote economic growth by eliminating the capital gains tax and double taxation that currently discourages productive activity like saving, investing and job creation [source: Mitchell].

Critics point to many potential transition problems with these tax plans. For the flat tax, people expecting a tax advantage won't get it. For instance, homeowners can no longer expect a tax deduction for the interest on their mortgage [source: Weisman]. For the FairTax, some argue that immediately before we switch over, consumers will buy items on credit without the tax and then pay for the credit for years to come with untaxed income.

In response to these accusations, the Tax Foundation group -- which aligns itself with neither plan -- argues that any problems with transition to the new system are worth the benefits each would produce [source: Hodge].

Neither plan has yet gained enough support in Congress to overhaul the existing system. Time will tell if Americans will see one of these, or perhaps some other plan, take over the unpopular tax code.

Flat Tax FAQ

Which countries have a flat tax?

Many countries have a flat tax. These include Russia, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Greenland, and Mongolia. This tax system is quite popular in Eastern Europe as well, with countries like Hungary, Romania, Lithuania, and Georgia adopting a flat tax approach.

Is a flat tax a good idea?

There are pros and cons to a flat tax rate. Having a flat tax rate simplifies taxation, imposing the same percentage on absolutely everyone, and that means more people are likely to comply (and pay their taxes). It's also perceived as a more fair system. However, it also comes with disadvantages, including the loss of quite a lot of tax revenue.

Does Russia have a flat tax?

Yes, in 2001 Russia switched from a progressive tax to a flat tax of 13 percent.

Do flat tax rates work?

Flat tax rates do work -- and they're thought to encourage more individuals to pay their taxes because they dramatically simplify the taxation process. But there are advantages and disadvantages to a flat tax, just like there are to a progressive tax.

What kind of tax is a flat tax?

A flat tax is a single tax rate that's applied to all individuals regardless of their income or any other factors.