In a contribution to the Christian Science Monitor, Donald Marron discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling that state tax breaks are different from spending programs, but the effect of each is the same
Charles Krauthammer (Washington Post, April 8, 2011) writes that the “most scurrilous” criticism of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s fiscal plan is that it...
The Tax Policy center has developed a new method for estimating the distributional effects among income groups of a broad-based consumption tax, such as a value-added tax (VAT). The new method provides separate measures of the long-run and transitional effects of introducing a VAT. In the long-run
Ever since Stanley Surrey popularized the concept of tax expenditures nearly half a century back, economists have argued that many tax breaks are equivalent to...
This table estimates the reduction in federal tax revenue over the period 2012-2021, which would result from reducing the maximum individual and corporate income tax rates to 25 percent. Consistent with this goal, the estimates also assume the repeal of the alternative minimum tax and of the 0.9
If we are going to make real progress on deficit reduction, politicians will, sooner or later, have to stop talking in code. The “adult conversation”...
An editorial published by the Wall Street Journal on March 11, 2011, argues that the government's case for an individual mandate is faulty. The authors argue the "hidden tax" on people with health insurance is greatly overstated. Their support is a study by John Holahan and Jack Hadley, "Covering
Distribution of federal tax change in 2015, by cash income percentile, from eliminating all individual income tax expenditures and the AMT, compared with current law.
Distribution of federal tax change in 2015, by cash income percentile, from eliminating all individual income tax expenditures and the AMT, compared with current policy.
Tax expenditures are getting increased scrutiny from budget hawks and tax reformers. New Treasury estimates, released as part of President Obamas recent budget, indicate that these tax preferences will reduce individual and corporate income tax revenues by almost $1.1 trillion in 2011. Those
The federal income tax code is riddled with complex provisions concerning children. Families with children qualify for and receive substantial assistance, but the provisions are difficult for parents to understand and for the IRS to administer. This article proposes making uniform the definition of
President Obama's 2012 Budget contains a number of tax provisions that would cut taxes for low- and middle-income households and raise taxes on wealthier taxpayers. This resource guide describes the tax proposals, offers more detailed commentary on key provisions, and links to tables showing the
Few people marry or divorce to change their tax status, but the federal income tax code does treat married couples and single people differently. Each...
The Community Living Services and Supports (CLASS) Act is an extraordinary case study in both budget and health care politics, and in the toxic political...
I answered questions for The Wall Street Journal real estate blog Developments today. I got the chance to answer questions about local assessment strategies, state...
