tax cuts

Why Criticize What Trump Is Saying About His Tax Plan?

Critics are blasting Donald Trump for saying his tax plan would be open to negotiation should it ever get to Congress. There are plenty of reasons to criticize the presumptive GOP presidential candidate, but a willingness to find a middle ground on an important policy issue should not be one of them. How did stating the obvious become a political sin?

May 10, 2016Howard Gleckman

Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

The Challenges of Modeling Presidential Tax Plans

The Challenges of Modeling Presidential Tax Plans The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget sponsored a fascinating discussion yesterday on estimating presidential candidate tax plans. My Tax Policy Center colleague Len Burman, Kyle Pomerleau of the Tax Foundation, and Bob McIntyre of Citizens

March 10, 2016Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Presidential Candidates, “Free Stuff,” and Pixie Dust

Even in its early stages, the 2016 presidential race looks like it will be remembered for two depressing superlatives. The candidates will spend more money than ever before, and they will promise more costly give-aways than any politicians in history. We’ll save the campaign finance story for

October 20, 2015Howard Gleckman

: TaxVox

No October Surprise, So Far

On the Hill… The Senate and House passed funding bills to keep the government open through December 11, with just the usual minutes to spare. Now that that’s taken care of, the Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing today on improper payments in federal programs. Comptroller General of the United

October 1, 2015Renu Zaretsky

Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

Despite Promises, Jeb Bush’s Tax Plan Wouldn’t Eliminate Marriage Penalties

GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush offered a tax plan last week that he says “eliminates the marriage penalty.” But it may not help many low-income working families. A married couple is penalized if it pays more tax filing a joint return than if each spouse could file individually. Conversely,

September 16, 2015Roberton C. Williams

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

States That Cut Taxes Do So At Their Peril

Ever since the 1970s, when Jude Wanniski and Arthur Laffer came up with the ideas that are now referred to as supply-side economics, conservative politicians have been unable to resist the siren song of tax cuts for big earners. In recent years, this enthusiasm has spread to state governments led

July 29, 2015William G. Gale

Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Are GOP Presidential Candidates Downplaying Tax Cuts Or Hiding The Ball?

Last week, I blogged on the many GOP presidential candidates who are talking about tax reform rather than tax cuts. This week, tax historian Joe Thorndike published a rebuttal on the Tax Analysts blog and on Forbes.com . Joe, who is very much in the watch-what-they-do-not what-they-say (WWTDNWTS)

May 19, 2015Howard Gleckman

: TaxVox

Still On a Road to Nowhere

A short road too often traveled. Federal highway funding is due to expire in about two weeks, and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says a temporary extension—the 33rd in six years—would “prolong a dangerous status quo of funding infrastructure at a level that has left our transportation system

May 13, 2015Renu Zaretsky

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Is the GOP’s Enthusiasm for Tax Cuts Going the Way of American Idol?

The silence is deafening. Remarkably, Republicans lining up to run for president aren't talking about cutting taxes. Tax reform? Sure. Rate cuts? Absolutely. But so far at least, national Republicans seem more willing to tackle same-sex marriage than big Ronald Reagan/George W. Bush-style tax cuts

May 12, 2015Howard Gleckman

State and Local Issues: TaxVox

Tax Cuts are Big in Texas, but Not for Low-Income Residents

Texas is cutting taxes this year. Although we do not yet know exactly what will get cut because the House and Senate are sorting out competing bills , we already know the outcome: Better-off Texans will get more tax relief dollars than low-income residents of the Lone Star State. Why? Because Texas

May 6, 2015Richard C. Auxier