PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Flat Tax Act of 1995

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 14, 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Flat Tax Title II: Reductions in Federal Spending Flat Tax Act of 1995 - Title I: Flat Tax - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 15 percent tax on the income of every individual. Establishes a basic standard exemption of $20,000 for a joint return and $10,000 for an individual return, with an additional $5,000 exemption for each dependent. Sets forth provisions for a transition rule for home mortgage interest deduction with respect to existing mortgages. Imposes on every person engaged in a business activity a tax equal to 15 percent of business taxable income. Repeals all specific exclusions from gross income, all deductions, and all credits against income tax to the extent related to the computation of corporate and individual income tax liability. Repeals estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes. Title II: Reductions in Federal Spending - Directs the President to reduce the discretionary spending limits the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for each of FY 1996 through 1998 to reflect a reduction of 15 percent in budget authority and budget outlays for each fiscal year. Specifies that notwithstanding the above, the amount of budget authority provided for foreign aid payments not required by law shall not exceed: (1) for FY 1996, 60 percent of the amount provided for FY 1995; (2) for FY 1997, 50 percent of the amount provided for FY 1995; and (3) for FY 1998, 40 percent of the amount provided for FY year 1995. Requires that notwithstanding discretionary spending limits above, the amount of budgetary authority provided for the Defense Department for payments not required by law for each of FY 1996 through 1998 shall not exceed the amount provided for FY 1995. Directs that the amount of budget authority provided for the administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and Medicare for payments not required by law for each of FY 1996 through 1998 shall not be reduced. Provides that a reduction in the level of direct spending for FY 1996 through 1998 shall not exceed 85 percent of the level for FY 1995, except for: (1) Social Security; (2) Medicare; and (3) veterans's programs. Abolishes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and transfers the functions of the IRS to the Department of the Treasury. Transfers the functions of the IRS Commissioner to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R–NC

Committees

  • Finance Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

    A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

    1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

    2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10009-10010)

    3. Introduced in Senate

    Bill text & related measures

    Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

    Related bills identified by Congress.gov

    No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

    Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

    Explore the bill from different angles

    Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

    Neutral evidence review

    Objective

    Analyze S.1038 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

    View full prompt & sources
    Fairness and public impact

    Progressive lens

    Examine S.1038 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

    View full prompt & sources
    Institutions and government scope

    Conservative lens

    Examine S.1038 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

    View full prompt & sources
    Individual rights and government power

    Liberty lens

    Examine S.1038 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

    View full prompt & sources