Death and Taxes has no countermagic but brings heavy taxing effects (Thalia, Guardian of Thraben) and disruption (Thoughtseize, Wasteland, Karakas) alongside efficient removal like Swords to Plowshares and Solitude. Thoughtseize lets you proactively strip their own Thoughtseize or a key hatebear before they can tax or disrupt your combo turn. Empty the Warrens is a fast alternate kill that's harder for their creature-based removal suite to interact with once resolved. Song of Creation is risky under Thalia's tax and their Wasteland-heavy manabase pressure, so it comes out for a more resilient, direct plan.