During the upcoming election cycle, expect a lot of discussion about “fixing” the income tax code and “alternatives” to the income tax.  It is obvious that the United States needs to either reduce spending or find better way to fund current spending.  An excellent article in the March 30, 2015, Wall Street Journal discusses one of the “alternatives”, the consumption tax (Tax Proposals Would Move U.S. Closer to Global Norm http://www.wsj.com/articles/tax-proposals-would-move-u-s-closer-to-global-norm-1427659773?mod=WSJ_hp_RightTopStories ).  The consumption tax has some similarities to Europe’s VAT (Value Added Tax) as well as our existing State Sales Taxes.  The consumption tax is a tax on spending (consumption) rather than our current tax on income.  Proponents point out that it causes much of the “shadow” economy (illegal drugs and gambling and unreported income) to be taxed.  While this new theory is far from new (it has been under consideration for over 20 years), it may allow politicians the smoke screen necessary to eliminate the plethora of tax incentives plaguing the Income Tax Code.  Only time will tell if we are finally ready for a change, but with the addition of ObamaCare’s 21 new tax provisions, it would seem that we may be reaching the end for our bloated tax code.  Stay tuned for developments.