ATR opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle.

We believe in a system in which taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today.  The government's power to control one's life derives from its power to tax.  We believe that power should be minimized.

ATR was founded in 1985 by Grover Norquist at the request of President Reagan.

Since 1986, ATR has sponsored the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a written promise by legislators and candidates for office that commits them to oppose any effort to increase the federal income taxes on individuals and businesses.

Hundreds of U.S. representatives, dozens of U.S. senators and the President of the United States have signed the pledge.  ATR works with state taxpayer coalitions in all 50 states to ask candidates for state legislature and governor to sign the State Taxpayer Protection Pledge which reads:   "I (name) pledge to the taxpayers of the (district #) district, of the state of (state), and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes."

ATR leads the fight to continue to bring tax relief to Americans, and works to stop new avenues of taxation, such as the Streamlined Sales Tax Proposal (SSTP) and Internet taxation.

Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports the concept of a single rate, flat tax, and works to reduce the number of times the same money is taxed.

In addition to the above activities, ATR sponsors the calculation of Cost of Government Day, the day on which Americans stop working to pay the costs of taxation, deficit spending, and regulations by federal and state governments. The cost of federal regulation alone comes to nearly $700 billion, $5,000 per household per year, more than the revenue raised by the personal and corporate income taxes combined.

ATR serves as a national clearinghouse for the grassroots taxpayers' movement by working with approximately 800 state and county level groups. 

ATR is a nonprofit, 501(c)(4) lobbying organization.  Contributions to Americans for Tax Reform are not tax deductible.  The Americans for Tax Reform Foundation is a 501c(3) research and educational organization.  All contributions to the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation are tax deductible.