Tax Policy Center

IRS

Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

Why Trump should release his tax returns

Yesterday, former IRS Commissioner Fred Goldberg (who held top tax positions in the administrations of both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush)
August 24, 2016Steven M. Rosenthal
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

What the GOP Platform Says About Taxes

What the GOP Platform Says About Taxes The Republican platform approved yesterday by the GOP convention is an attempt to merge standard party views on...
July 19, 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
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Congress May Be About To Miss a Chance to Fix A Tax Prep Problem

The Senate Finance Committee is about to miss an opportunity to fix a problem Congress has been complaining about for years. Tomorrow, the panel is planning to mark up a multi-part IRS bill . But it will leave out an important provision that would allow the agency to set minimum standards for paid
April 19, 2016Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

How DC gave you three extra days to file your taxes this year

Don't say the nation's capital never does anything for you. Thanks to a District of Columbia (DC) holiday, the IRS moved Tax Day back three days to April 18 this year. Since 1955, April 15 has served as Tax Day in the United States , but the IRS can delay the filing deadline when it coincides with
April 4, 2016Richard C. Auxier
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

Five Tax Stories To Watch in What Will Be a Wild Fall in Congress and on the Campaign Trail

Congress is back. Fiscal deadlines loom. Presidential candidates have tax plans to propose. It isn’t clear how much lawmakers will accomplish in the next four months, but it will be a busy and interesting fall. Here are five stories to watch: International Tax Reform : House Republicans insist they
September 8, 2015Howard Gleckman
: TaxVox

Big Talk, Growing Opposition

Can the Senate pass a highway bill? Last night, the Senate finally voted to begin debate on its version of a transportation bill. But it is in for a tough slog thanks in part to two GOP presidential hopefuls. Ted Cruz has threatened to tie the Iran deal to the measure. The Texan wants an amendment
July 23, 2015Renu Zaretsky
: TaxVox

ACA Effects and Estimates

Treasury shares tax filing data on the Affordable Care Act. It released data Friday that show 81 percent of tax filers “checked the box” to indicate that they had health insurance coverage. Nine percent claimed a health care coverage exemption, and 6 percent paid the fee for remaining uninsured
July 20, 2015Renu Zaretsky
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Should The IRS Become a Consumer Agency Instead of a Tax Cop?

In her latest report to Congress , IRS Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson made the provocative suggestion that her agency completely rethink its mission: “It should transform itself as a tax agency from one that is designed around nabbing the small percentage of the population that actively evades tax to
July 16, 2015Howard Gleckman