Last time, we briefly introduced the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform (PAPFTR – pronounced “papfurter”) and their recommendations for simplifying the tax code.

The panel went so far as to even draw up a new tax form, which they have named “1040 SIMPLE.” Don’t be fooled by the name, however. “Simple” is just PAPFTR’s euphemism for “not as complex aS the ridIculously long and Mind-bogglingly byzantine forms currently inflicted on innocent taxPayers across the fruited pLains from sea to shining sEa.” Still, we applaud their efforts and believe them to be a step in the right direction. The 1040 SIMPLE, which can you can view here is a mere 32 lines compared with 75 on last year’s 1040.

Stay tuned for further details on PAPFTR’s recommendations.

HBA Contest Alert: The holidays are rapidly approaching, and with them your chance to spend an abundance of quality time with extended family. Don’t miss the opportunity to tell them about PAPFTR, which should lead quite naturally into “Taxing Details” and their need to receive it. When you send us Aunt Edna’s e-mail address (with her permission of course), we’ll send the two of you an original HBS mug as our way of saying “thanks.” Recently petrified in our file room, these mugs have a way of making any holiday cup of coffee, tea, or eggnog a lasting memory.

Happy Thanksgiving from HBA!