Congress

Taxing Multinationals Can’t Pay for Both Roads and Tax Rate Reductions

Aides to president-elect Donald Trump as well as key lawmakers are promoting a three-way deal that would include business tax reform, a tax break for...

November 17, 2016Howard Gleckman

Business Taxes: TaxVox

Should Drugmakers Be Allowed To Avoid Taxes on Their Profits From An Alzheimer’s Drug?

In one of the most misguided ideas I’ve heard in a long time, two congressmen have introduced a bill to make profits from the sale...

July 8, 2016Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

About TSA, IRS, and Being a Washington Scapegoat

It is a familiar--and sad—Washington story. Start with an agency that deals extensively with the public. The agency stumbles. Congress cuts its budget. The resource-constrained agency does an even-worse job. And the very lawmakers who limited the agency’s ability to do its job express shock and

May 24, 2016Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The White House Quietly Rolls Out Its Last Tax and Budget Plan

If the White House wanted to attract attention to its final budget , it could not have picked a worse day to make it public. With official Washington obsessed with today’s New Hampshire primary, the 2017 budget barely caused a ripple. In case there was any question about its fate on Capitol Hill,

February 8, 2016Howard Gleckman

Business Taxes: TaxVox

The International Spitting Match Over the Google Tax Intensifies

Call it the perils of one-off corporate tax settlements. While the developed world is trying—with limited success-- to figure out how to tax multinational corporations, individual countries are making their own deals to collect back taxes with those firms. It is not a pretty sight. Last week, the

February 1, 2016Howard Gleckman

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

If Banning Negligent Low-Income Households From Taking Tax Credits Is Such a Great Idea, Why Stop With Them?

Congress has banned more low-income families who file erroneous tax returns from receiving refundable credits. If lawmakers think this is such a terrific idea, why stop at low-income households? For instance, why shouldn’t Congress bar trade associations from claiming tax-exempt status if they file

January 7, 2016Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

What Can Congress and President Obama Accomplish in 2016?

Can Congress and President Obama, who have battled over policy for seven years, reach consensus over key tax and other issues in the months leading up to the 2016 election? To ask the question is practically to answer it, but it is worth taking a closer look at the policy dynamics. Start by

January 4, 2016Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Back at the Tax Extender Trough

For years, Congress has struggled with what to do with scores of temporary tax breaks that have come to be known as the “tax extenders .” The usual resolution: Lawmakers fiddle for months. Then, sometime in December, they mindlessly continue the immortal mostly-business tax breaks for another year

November 30, 2015Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Would Speaker Ryan Boost the Chances for Tax Reform? Not Until 2018

Paul Ryan has been an enthusiastic supporter of tax reform for years. Will his elevation to House Speaker make reform more likely? Perhaps, but not any time soon. Reform efforts got two big boosts this week. The first was the GOPs decision to choose Ryan to lead the House. The second was outgoing

October 29, 2015Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The Debt Limit: Here We Go Again

In less than a month—and in perhaps as little as 18 days-- the federal government will be unable to pay its bills. Realistically, there is only one way to avoid such a fiscal mess: Congress must raise the federal debt limit so Treasury can borrow more money. But how will that happen? On one hand,

October 15, 2015Howard Gleckman