The Economic Growth and Taxpayer Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) phased out the state death tax credit from 2002 to 2004, eliminating it completely for 2005. Prior to EGTRRA, almost all states collected a "pick-up" tax that was equivalent to the federal credit. In 2000, estate and...
School districts in 37 states are "independent" and able to generate their own revenues, usually by setting property tax rates. Some school districts in other states are dependent on cities, towns or counties for funding authority. In addition, school districts have increasingly been dependent...
The largest individual AMT preference items in 2002 were state and local taxes (51 percent of all AMT preference items), personal exemptions (22 percent), and miscellaneous itemized deductions, including employee expenses and legal fees (20 percent).
Rising house prices have led to increasing property taxes and to calls for property tax reform. However, it is important to realize that many state and local governments currently offer property tax relief programs. We examine the property tax relief programs offered through state income tax...
Child care's costs can be too high for low-income working families. As of 2004, along with a federal credit for child care expenses, 27 states offered tax credits or deductions to offset these expenses. Thirteen states offered a refundable child care creditat least for low-income families;...
An important characteristic of many countries is that they exhibit, to greater or lesser degrees, some "asymmetry" in the way in which different regions are treated by their intergovernmental fiscal systems. This paper explores some of the varied extents and manners in which such asymmetrical...
As well-designed decentralized intergovernmental system is key to developing country's ability to achieve its 2015 Millennium Development Goals. And, whereas fiscal decentralization has many facets, there is a necessary condition that must be satisfied for its success: local governments...
Some have called for eliminating the itemized deduction for state and local income and property taxes as part of tax reform. This Tax Facts column looks at the states most affected by the current deduction and some aspects of repeal.
In the heady days after his re-election, President Bush promised to replace the current tax system with something better. Politicians often delude themselves that reform can be summoned by proclamation. But, a wholesale transformation of the income tax system isn't about to happen quickly or...
State-Level Estate and Inheritance Taxes
The Economic Growth and Taxpayer Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) phased out the state death tax credit from 2002 to 2004, eliminating it completely for 2005. Prior to EGTRRA, almost all states collected a "pick-up" tax that was equivalent to the federal credit. In 2000, estate and...
Education Spending and Changing Revenue Sources
School districts in 37 states are "independent" and able to generate their own revenues, usually by setting property tax rates. Some school districts in other states are dependent on cities, towns or counties for funding authority. In addition, school districts have increasingly been dependent...
AMT Preference Items, 2002
The largest individual AMT preference items in 2002 were state and local taxes (51 percent of all AMT preference items), personal exemptions (22 percent), and miscellaneous itemized deductions, including employee expenses and legal fees (20 percent).
Property Tax Credits Offered Through State Income Tax Systems
Rising house prices have led to increasing property taxes and to calls for property tax reform. However, it is important to realize that many state and local governments currently offer property tax relief programs. We examine the property tax relief programs offered through state income tax...
An International Perspective on Gasoline Taxes
While U.S. gasoline prices were indeed at a historical high after Katrina, they are both declining and much lower than gas prices in other countries.
State Tax Credits for Child Care
Child care's costs can be too high for low-income working families. As of 2004, along with a federal credit for child care expenses, 27 states offered tax credits or deductions to offset these expenses. Thirteen states offered a refundable child care creditat least for low-income families;...
Fiscal Federalism and National Unity
An important characteristic of many countries is that they exhibit, to greater or lesser degrees, some "asymmetry" in the way in which different regions are treated by their intergovernmental fiscal systems. This paper explores some of the varied extents and manners in which such asymmetrical...
Subnational Tax Policy and Administration in Developing Economies
As well-designed decentralized intergovernmental system is key to developing country's ability to achieve its 2015 Millennium Development Goals. And, whereas fiscal decentralization has many facets, there is a necessary condition that must be satisfied for its success: local governments...
Deductibility of State and Local Taxes
Some have called for eliminating the itemized deduction for state and local income and property taxes as part of tax reform. This Tax Facts column looks at the states most affected by the current deduction and some aspects of repeal.
Sisyphus Had it Easy
In the heady days after his re-election, President Bush promised to replace the current tax system with something better. Politicians often delude themselves that reform can be summoned by proclamation. But, a wholesale transformation of the income tax system isn't about to happen quickly or...