corporate tax inversions

This Is the Easiest Way the U.S. Can Stop Corporate Tax Dodgers

Collect a corporate exit tax. Last week, the New York-based drugmaker Pfizer scuttled its proposed $150 billion merger with Irish-based competitor Allergan after the Obama administration rolled out new rules to curb the tax savings Pfizer hoped to glean from the deal. The episode again highlighted

April 12, 2016Steven M. Rosenthal

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The Tax Vox Lump of Coal Awards: The 10 Worst Tax Ideas of 2014

It’s time for the annual Tax Vox Lump of Coal Awards for the worst tax policy of 2014. The past 12 months were a banner year for bad ideas and their perpetrators. The Top 10 are: Frank Underwood & Elvis. Tax subsidies for economic development hardly ever pay for themselves. But two are worthy

December 23, 2014Howard Gleckman

Business Taxes: TaxVox

Treasury's New Rules May Slow, But Won’t Stop Corporate Tax Inversions

Will Treasury’s new rules stop the wave of corporate tax inversions? No they won’t. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew acknowledged as much when the agency proposed the curbs yesterday. Will they slow the practice? Perhaps, but even that is not certain. In a perverse way, Treasury’s most effective weapon

September 23, 2014Howard Gleckman

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

One Downside Of Inversions: Higher Tax Bills For Stockholders

Corporate inversions are all the rage these days as U.S. businesses merge with foreign firms and then restructure the combined businesses as foreign-based corporations. That yields tax benefits and may boost their after-tax profits, but it can also leave their stockholders with unwanted capital

August 20, 2014Roberton C. Williams

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Is Treasury About to Curb Tax Inversions on Its Own?

The Treasury Department put out the word that Secretary Jack Lew is considering regulatory curbs on corporate tax inversions, a step that may be intended to increase pressure on Congress to act once it returns from its summer recess in September. The matter of how much authority Treasury has to

August 19, 2014Howard Gleckman

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Are Tax Inversions Really Unpatriotic?

President Obama and many congressional Democrats argue that U.S.-based multinational firms are being unpatriotic by moving their corporate addresses overseas in order to reduce their taxes. Obama even implied they are “corporate deserters.” These are powerful, emotionally-charged allegations. But

July 29, 2014Howard Gleckman