This article develops an alternative post-2012 personal income tax regime, the "Better Base Case." It argues that revenue collections of the same magnitude as those projected by the CBO (i.e., "current law") are necessary over the medium term, but that the efficiency and equity of current law's scheduled post-2012 tax system can readily be improved. We further consider the political economy implications of the proposal, and conclude that the Better Base Case is a logical and feasible next step in the evolving debate over the size and financing of the federal government.