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An Inconvenient Tax sheds light on one of America’s messiest problems — a fundamentally broken tax code that affects every part of people's lives. With the U.S. Congress making over 16,000 changes to the tax code in the last two decades alone, many Americans want something better, but few know where to start. This feature-length documentary film reveals the many ways Congress uses the tax code to achieve political goals that have nothing to do with raising revenue. It also tackles the controversial issue of tax reform through a non-partisan presentation of U.S. tax history and current proposals to fix the code. In a time when America faces fiscal crisis, An Inconvenient Tax brings a crucial exploration of the tax code to the big screen.

Full Synopsis

Taxes affect the lives of every American. Since the founding of the United States, there has been an ongoing debate over the proper way to tax and the role the tax code should play in people’s lives. These debates shows no signs of resolution as Americans currently must deal with the country’s most complicated tax system ever - the Federal Income Tax.

The product of 95 years worth of additions, subtractions, deductions, and exclusions, the income tax has become such a headache that many are calling for it to be drastically simplified or even removed all together. Despite the obvious need for reform, the tax code remains one of the most controversial subjects of our time. From political handouts for corporate contributors to vote-buying gimmicks, the income tax is no longer simply a means to raise revenue but a proxy war over the country's social and economic goals.

Also, most would agree that the tax system should at least raise enough money to pay for government spending, but even that is not being accomplished. With a looming fiscal crisis on the horizon, and a growing dread of tax consequences, April 15th seems more like a scene from a B-horror movie than a day to contribute to the common good of the nation. But how can Americans decide the best way to change the income tax when few people even understand the code or the many startling effects it has on the country.

“An Inconvenient Tax,” a feature-length documentary film, explores the history of the income tax and brings to light the causes of its many complexities. The film follows the tax through wars, economic booms, and the most significant presidencies in U.S. history. This whirlwind tour includes everything from early IRS propaganda films to the tax reform campaigns of Ronald Reagan whom historian Steven Weisman describes as “the poet laureate of capitalism.” The film uncovers redefinitions of income, the creation of corporate loopholes, and even a brief moment in 1986 when Congress actually tried to simplify everything. But with over 16,000 changes to the tax code in the last 20 years alone, Americans find themselves in a more dire situation than ever.

To help crack the code, the film employs the country’s top economic experts, commentators, and political voices. Noam Chomsky, Steve Forbes, Joseph Thorndike, Mike Huckabee, Charles Rossotti, Dave M. Walker, Neal Boortz, Michael Graetz, Daniel Shaviro, Leonard Burman, and others discuss the problems America faces in the tax code and give valuable insights on how to move forward. The film then gives a voice to the creators of several potential tax reform solutions who claim to have found a better way. In a time when many Americans are concerned about the future of the economy, rising deficits, and unfair tax treatment, “An Inconvenient Tax” provides a critical, honest look at the income tax. For the first time ever, Americans can finally engage in the tax debate with confidence and perhaps discover a new way to tax. As Joseph Thorndike, one of the film’s experts, says, “We face fiscal problems in this country right now that are so serious, we should all fear for the safety of our children. Americans are going to have to deal with the topic of tax reform because it’s just too important.”

Filmmakers

Vincent Vittorio - Writer and Producer

Nathaniel Thomas McGill - Producer and Director of Photography

Christopher P. Marshall - Director

Nathan Padgett - Assistant Director and Lead Designer

Lewis Hurrell - Composer

Interviewees

Noam Chomsky - Professor of Linguistics, M.I.T

Steve Forbes - Chairman and CEO, Forbes

Joeseph Thorndike - Director of the Tax History Project

Mike Huckabee - Former Governer of Arkansas

Charles Rossotti - Former I.R.S Commissioner

David M. Walker - Former Comptroller General

Neal Boortz - Radio Talk Show Host

Michael Graetz - Professor of Law, Yale University

Daniel Shaviro - Professor of Law, New York University

Leonard Burman - Director of the Tax Policy Center

John O. Fox - Professor of Taxation and Author

Steven R. Weisman - Award Winning Journalist and Author

Herman Cain - Radio Talk Show Host

Daniel Mitchell - Senior Fellow, CATO Institute

Lee Shepard - Contributing Editor, Tax Analysts

Bob S. McIntyre - Director of Citizens for Tax Justice

Dick Armey - Former House Majority Leader

Steven Entin - President of the Institute for Research on the Economics of Taxation

J.D. Foster - Senior Fellow, Heritage Foundation

Scott Hodge - President of the Tax Foundation

John Linder - U.S. Congressman from Georgia's 7th District

Allen Buckley - Tax Attorney and Author

Richard Rahn - Chairman of the Institute for Global Economic Growth

Kelly Phillips Erb - Tax Lawyer and Blogger

Company

Life Is My Movie Entertainment began creating feature films in 2001. The company has produced a slew of documentary, television and feature film programs that have aired on television, been featured at festivals and picked up for distribution.

www.lifeismymovie.com