The 2001 tax cut has been roundly criticized because so much of the benefit goes to the rich, but the bill also did much to help low- and middle-income families. Most notably, it increased the child tax credit and made it refundablethat is, available to families with incomes too low to owe...
In the early 1970s, a Democratic Congress and a Republican President (Nixon) became concerned about the lack of pension funding, vesting, and coverage for most Americans. They decided to do something about it. This president and Congress, I believe, are not less qualified or less concerned with...
Providing fiscal or tax subsidies to try to promote additional work and saving is a relatively modern notion. These subsidies may stimulate demand by putting more money in the economy, but they are designed primarily to affect behavior through incentives. Modern industrial economies like the U.S...
The collapse of Enron brings out many tales, but none motivate action more than images of workers who now are left with little or nothing in the way of retirement plan benefits. In response, President Bush has requested legislation that would essentially remove some bars that prevent workers...
Urban Institute president, Robert Reischauer, testifies before Congress on some of the challenges facing the Congress as it makes its decisions about the fiscal 2003 budget.
GAO released an analysis on January 11 of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) eligibility and participation rates. The study estimates that one fourth of all eligible households do not claim the EITC. However, GAO's study was based on information from two mismatched databases and its conclusions...
To sort out the pros and cons of using the tax system to enact social policy goals, in particular to help low-income families, the Urban Institute convened a tax policy forum in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2001. The discussion revealed that using the tax system as a social policy tool is a...
The Effect of the 2001 Tax Cut on Low- and Middle-Income Families and Children
The 2001 tax cut has been roundly criticized because so much of the benefit goes to the rich, but the bill also did much to help low- and middle-income families. Most notably, it increased the child tax credit and made it refundablethat is, available to families with incomes too low to owe...
Can Policymakers Time the Ending of Macroeconomic Incentives?
This brief considers focuses on the ending of temporary investment incentives.
Can Policymakers Time the Ending of Macroeconomic Incentives?
Should policymakers use capital expense deductions to help stabilize the economy?
Pension Reform Today and in 1974
In the early 1970s, a Democratic Congress and a Republican President (Nixon) became concerned about the lack of pension funding, vesting, and coverage for most Americans. They decided to do something about it. This president and Congress, I believe, are not less qualified or less concerned with...
Temporary Wage Subsidies
Providing fiscal or tax subsidies to try to promote additional work and saving is a relatively modern notion. These subsidies may stimulate demand by putting more money in the economy, but they are designed primarily to affect behavior through incentives. Modern industrial economies like the U.S...
Will Enron Lead to Enhanced Retirement Security?
The collapse of Enron brings out many tales, but none motivate action more than images of workers who now are left with little or nothing in the way of retirement plan benefits. In response, President Bush has requested legislation that would essentially remove some bars that prevent workers...
Framing the Budget Debate for the Future
Urban Institute president, Robert Reischauer, testifies before Congress on some of the challenges facing the Congress as it makes its decisions about the fiscal 2003 budget.
Analysis of GAO Study of EITC Eligibility and Participation
GAO released an analysis on January 11 of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) eligibility and participation rates. The study estimates that one fourth of all eligible households do not claim the EITC. However, GAO's study was based on information from two mismatched databases and its conclusions...
Social Policy and the Tax System
To sort out the pros and cons of using the tax system to enact social policy goals, in particular to help low-income families, the Urban Institute convened a tax policy forum in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2001. The discussion revealed that using the tax system as a social policy tool is a...
Charities and Disaster Relief
This brief focuses on using public finance principles to allocate relief funds.