News Releases

KU Accounting Students Compare Tax Proposals from Presidential Candidates

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Like everyone, Joe Isaac and Carlie Bittel, accounting majors in the KU School of Business, are interested in the tax proposals being presented by Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. As Isaac accurately observed, "The complexity of the tax law poses a substantial burden on taxpayers, and for many individuals, the subject proves quite frightening."

Isaac decided to do something to help increase understanding of the candidates' proposals. He enlisted Bittel's assistance in developing a brochure that compares
the two proposals. The publication "2008 Presidential Debate - Income Tax Plans," answers the question ÔWhat do these plans mean for your income tax bill?' by providing a discussion of each candidate's plan highlights, objectives and rationale; a comparison of today's rates to plan rates; and general income tax information.

Tax professor Raquel Alexander credits Isaac with taking the initiative on this project. "This was Joe's idea and Carlie was a tremendous help researching the candidates' plans and wading through the rhetoric. It is difficult to present complicated tax information in an understandable and meaningful way, but they clearly succeeded in doing this!" said Alexander. She also noted that Bittel and Isaac worked hard to balance the information on both candidates.

Bittel enthusiastically assisted with this project and commented that "this publication was created to help voters make an informed decision on November 4. The subject matter is of interest to everyone at KU as well as the community-at-large."

Copies of the brochure are available in the AIS Office #350 and the Koch Commons in Summerfield Hall or it can be viewed on-line at http://www.business.ku.edu/_FileLibrary/PageFile/959/08.Election.Brochure.pdf .

"The candidates' tax plans are the backbone of their economic visions. The brochure was intended to provide clarity regarding this important issue, and we hope that it begets some healthy discussion in the weeks to come." said Isaac. This brochure is an outstanding example of how KU Business students can help Kansans deal with the important issues of the day.