Tax Policy Center

Oregon

State and Local Issues: TaxVox

2018 Voters Faced a Slew of Confusing Revenue  Measures and Rejected Most Tax Increases

With so much to follow in the midterm elections, it is easy to lose sight of a bumper crop of tax-related ballot measures . But...
November 9, 2018Vanessa Williamson
: TaxVox

IRS Warns States to Slow Down on Charitable SALT Workarounds

Yesterday, the IRS issued a notice warning states that are contemplating one workaround to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act’s (TCJA) $10,000 annual limit on...
May 24, 2018Steven M. Rosenthal
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

The Case of Oregon’s Bicycle Excise Tax

Or: If you like it, then you might just pay a tax on it.
Oregon, one of five states with no sales tax, just passed an excise tax on bicycles to help fund trail maintenance and improvement. That decision generated a good bit of controversy, and as a bicycle-riding, trail-loving taxpayer, I wondered why a bicycle tax that supports bicycle trail use is so contentious.
August 2, 2017Renu Zaretsky
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

While Washington’s Efforts to Fund Roads Go Nowhere, Red States Are Raising Gas Taxes

In about six weeks, federal money to keep the Highway Trust Fund going will once again dry up and Congress will begin its predictable scramble to keep cash flowing to roads, bridges, and transit projects. The reason for the gridlock: Neither Congress nor President Obama is willing to back a gas tax
June 10, 2015Howard Gleckman
: TaxVox

“Communication” Defined, Cash Borrowed, Reform Still Needed

Congress is in recess through the mid-term elections. The Daily Deduction will post each Monday until then. In Oregon, Comcast’s cable service is ruled a “communication” service, and its tax bill could be huge. So said the Oregon Supreme Court late last week: Property that Comcast uses to provide
October 6, 2014Renu Zaretsky
: TaxVox

Income Inequality and Time for State Action

Income inequality may shrink state tax revenues. A new report from Standard & Poor’s tells the tale. Incomes have grown rapidly among the wealthy, but have barely kept pace with inflation for many others. But high income earners both shelter their income from taxes and save more, reducing state
September 16, 2014Renu Zaretsky