This may come as a bit of a surprise, but the U.S. Government (if not the Internal Revenue Service) is listening and wants to receive proposals from people who have ideas about how to reform the tax code. Heck, there's even a press release and an entire Web site devoted to this topic, though I haven't seen any link from the IRS Web site. The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform request for proposals is explained in the following:

WASHINGTON , DC - Senators Connie Mack and John Breaux, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, today announced that the Panel is inviting interested parties to submit ideas for reforming the tax code. These proposals should be submitted by April 29, 2005.

"At our six public meetings that were held all over the country, we learned about the complexities of the tax code and its impact on taxpayers," stated Senator Connie Mack, Chairman of the President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform. "This request for ideas to reform the tax code marks a shift of our focus from defining the problems in the current code to considering options for reform. We will be reviewing specific proposals for reform that have been offered in the past as well as new ideas that are submitted. We expect to hold more public meetings in the coming months to discuss these options and alternatives."

"It is important that we hear from Americans about the kind of tax system they want," said Senator John Breaux, Vice-Chairman of the Panel. "We look forward to receiving comments from all interested parties."

This is the Panel's second specific request for comments. In connection with its first request, the Panel received thousands of comments describing complexities and burdens, unfair aspects and distortions in the current tax system.

Information on how to submit comments as well as details on the format for comments are available at www.taxreformpanel.gov/contact/. Comments submitted in connection with this second request should be received by the Panel no later than April 29, 2005 . All comments submitted will be made available to the public.

The President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform was established by President Bush on January 7, 2005 . President Bush has charged the bipartisan panel with recommending reforms to the tax code that will make the U.S. tax system simpler, fairer and more growth oriented.

Further details are available on the Panel's website at www.taxreformpanel.gov.