Proponents of the so-called, 'Flat Tax' often argue that their plans

Question

Proponents of the so-called, 'Flat Tax' often argue that their plans for simplified tax laws will save money through the elimination of much of the complex apparatus currently devoted to enforcing the collection of income taxes. This is a preposterous suggestion since it is obvious that any tax, no matter how simple, will require an enforcement and collection agency to ensure that citizens comply with the law and contribute their required amounts.

The conclusions above would be most strongly supported by which of the following facts, if true? .

The conclusions above would be most strongly supported by which of the following facts, if true?

(A) In a survey of present and historical taxation agencies, it is found that there is little relationship between the size of the tax collection agency and the complexity of the tax code it enforces.

(B) some flat tax advocates suggest a fixed percentage of an individual' income be collected annually whereas others focus on a value-added tax that is collected at each retail purchase the individual makes.

(C) though described as flat, some of these alternative tax proposals actually incorporate considerable complexity.

(D) many flat tax proposals depend on the cost savings of a projected reduction in tax collection costs in order to maintain a balanced budget.

(E) polls indicate that despite the initial appeal of a simplified tax code, voters are skeptical of flat tax proposals.

KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

Question Stem: The conclusions above would be most strongly supported by which of the following facts, if true?

It is a strengthen question. You need to look for the option that strengthens the conclusion of the argument.

What is the conclusion?

Conclusion: "This is a preposterous suggestion since it is obvious that any tax, no matter how simple, will require an enforcement and collection agency to ensure that citizens comply with the law and contribute their required amounts"
Any tax, simple or complicated, will require an enforcement and collection agency so costs will not go down.

What will strengthen this conclusion?
Something that says that any kind of tax will have similar agency costs.

Look at the options:

A. In a survey of present and historical taxation agencies, it is found that there is little relationship between the size of the tax collection agency and the complexity of the tax code it enforces.

If the size of the tax collection agency stays the same, chances are that the cost will stay the same too. Hence, the cost may not depend on the complexity of the tax code. It does strengthen the argument. Answer.

B. some flat tax advocates suggest a fixed percentage of an individual' income be collected annually whereas others focus on a value-added tax that is collected at each retail purchase the individual makes.

Irrelevant to the argument how the flat tax is calculated.

C. though described as flat, some of these alternative tax proposals actually incorporate considerable complexity.

Again, irrelevant. We need to figure out whether simplified tax laws will reduce cost.

D. many flat tax proposals depend on the cost savings of a projected reduction in tax collection costs in order to maintain a balanced budget.

Irrelevant to the argument. The structure of flat tax doesn't concern us.

E. polls indicate that despite the initial appeal of a simplified tax code, voters are skeptical of flat tax proposals

Irrelevant. It doesn't matter how voters feel.

pritish2301 · Answer

hi Himanshu,

The question is asking for...
The conclusions above would be most strongly supported by which of the following facts, if true?

The conclusion of the argument is..."no matter how simple, will require an enforcement and collection agency to ensure that citizens comply with the law and contribute their required amounts."

A. In a survey of present and historical taxation agencies, it is found that there is little relationship between the size of the tax collection agency and the complexity of the tax code it enforces.
 This is going against the argument saying there is no relation between collection agency and complexity. 
B. some flat tax advocates suggest a fixed percentage of an individual' income be collected annually whereas others focus on a value-added tax that is collected at each retail purchase the individual makes. 
 Clearly Irrelevant 
C. though described as flat, some of these alternative tax proposals actually incorporate considerable complexity. 
 Out of scope since it is clear that the argument agrees that Flat tax will be simple. Alternative tax proposals out of scope 
D. many flat tax proposals depend on the cost savings of a projected reduction in tax collection costs in order to maintain a balanced budget. 
 Weakens the argument 
E. polls indicate that despite the initial appeal of a simplified tax code, voters are skeptical of flat tax proposals
Could be the answer

Waiting for expert opinion. Let us see what others have to say!

govols · Answer

A. The main argument here is that the flat tax won't save any money because you still need a way to enforce it. A is the only answer that directly addresses the argument and shows that there would be little to no savings involved in a flat tax system.

Nevernevergiveup · Answer

Argument in simple terms

1. Proponents of the so-called, 'Flat Tax' often argue that their plans for simplified tax laws will save moneythrough the elimination of much of the complex apparatus currently devoted to enforcing the collection of income taxes.

2. Argument says that suggestion is ridiculous or stupid.

Reason: Since any tax, no matter how simple, will require an enforcement and collection agency.

Analysis: Irrespective of complexity of tax laws, still collection agency is required and as per the argument usage of this fact to counter claim of cost savings indicate that possibly costs cannot be saved even if we go with Flat tax proposal.

It would definitely seem useless to invest in something(to follow new regulation) which serves no purpose right.
So major amount of regular costs regarding taxes may exist with agency and not with laws.
We need to find whether there is a change in agency costs w.r.t complexity of tax code.
Since if it agency costs reduce with complexity then conclusion is weakened. So we need to ensure the removal of any such possibility.

Strengthen question

A. In a survey of present and historical taxation agencies, it is found that there is little relationship between the size of the tax collection agency and the complexity of the tax code it enforces.

This is inline with our reasoning above. Let Karishma words help us.................

If the size of the tax collection agency stays the same, chances are that the cost will stay the same too. Hence, the cost may not depend on the complexity of the tax code. It does strengthen the argument.

B. some flat tax advocates suggest a fixed percentage of an individual' income be collected annually whereas others focus on a value-added tax that is collected at each retail purchase the individual makes.

This focus on the flat tax calculation........are we bothered by collection method and
also notice the danger word some...........what if the number behind this some advocates is really small or almost negligible. We cannot consider this option important anyway.

C. though described as flat, some of these alternative tax proposals actually incorporate considerable complexity.

Again some word ruins it. What if this complexity is harmless?

D. many flat tax proposals depend on the cost savings of a projected reduction in tax collection costs in order to maintain a balanced budget.

OFS. After procedures of cost savings is not our point of concern.

E. polls indicate that despite the initial appeal of a simplified tax code, voters are skeptical of flat tax proposals

OFS. It doesn't matter how voters feel.

I struggled a lot because of this question and could not decipher it still after going through two expert replies. If this post helps someone please add kudos to notify the same. Do not give up for its smart word play. :idea:

Mahamudul608 · Answer

Why C is out of scope? Some flat tax s are complex so these will require more apparatus. More explanation on A please.

XavierAlexander · Answer

I'll try to help with the analysis of this question and why option A is right.

Conclusion -    This idea that "Flat Tax" will save money, as tax collection dept. would not be needed anymore, is NOT right.  
 Premise -    Because any form of tax needs tax collection dept. so that people have fear of law and pay taxes

Restatement of correct option A in simpler words::

A. Based on history, there is no relation b\w varieties of tax and the size of the tax collection dept. In other words, in past, even when the tax is simplified or complicated, there had not been any change in the size of tax collection dept. size.

So this statement is a strengthener as it is saying that even with the simplifying form of tax, "Flat Tax", we should not eliminate tax collection dept.

Restatement of incorrect option C in simpler words::

C. Other forms of tax, such as "Flat Tax", actually increase complexities.

So this statement is a out of scope because conclusion is NOT concerned about tax complexity. Rather conclusion is dependent on the facts whether removal of tax collection department is correct, and whether the removal of dept., in case it's right, will save money.

Helium · Answer

This argument lacks a connection between the idea of simplifying the tax code and a reduction in the complexity of the agency required to implement it. While this seems like a reasonable assumption, it is an assumption nonetheless and therefore vulnerable to criticism. Answer choice A suggests that there is little relationship between tax code complexity and collection agency size, exactly fitting this assumption. A is therefore the correct answer. Answer choices B and E are out of scope with information that is peripheral to this assumption. Answer choice C might imply that some flat tax proposals require larger collection apparatus than others, but the fundamental connection between tax complexity and collection agency size remains missing so this answer is not correct. Answer choice D brings up a criticism that could be used against a flat tax law if the argument was proved incorrect, but does not itself prove the argument incorrect.

Crytiocanalyst · Answer

(A) In a survey of present and historical taxation agencies, it is found that there is little relationship between the size of the tax collection agency and the complexity of the tax code it enforces. 
THis definitely strengthens as framework of collection and implementation was creating complexity which is eleminated with the given argument therefore let us hang on to it

(B) some flat tax advocates suggest a fixed percentage of an individual' income be collected annually whereas others focus on a value-added tax that is collected at each retail purchase the individual makes. 
This is thoroughly out of context and doesn't have any impact therefore out

(C) though described as flat, some of these alternative tax proposals actually incorporate considerable complexity. 
Some complexity is part of the new proposal as they only propose to eleminate most and not all therefore out

(D) many flat tax proposals depend on the cost savings of a projected reduction in tax collection costs in order to maintain a balanced budget. 
Similar reasoning as B

(E) polls indicate that despite the initial appeal of a simplified tax code, voters are skeptical of flat tax proposals
we have no clue as of why the people are skeptical as the reasons can be plenty and these reasons may not be associated with complexity therefore out

Therefore IMO A

VerbalBot · Answer

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Proponents of the so-called, 'Flat Tax' often argue that their plans

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