With a consumption tax....
how do you propose to close down the borders to prevent Cosa Nostra scale smuggling of tax-free goods?
Specially since you'd have to set the rate at 40% or greater.
Having said that, the tax code is a bleeding nightmare.
Scrap all deductions, loopholes, exemptions.
Keep something close to the basic structure we now have but reduced rates to compensate for the loss of the deductions etc.
Why is that not an even simpler solution to the VAT?
(yeah yeah, a flat income tax even simpler, but I'm a pinko leftie)