Tax Policy Center

tax subsidies

Business Taxes: TaxVox

Why Did Scott Walker Commit $400 Million for a Pro Basketball Arena?

Yesterday, Wisconsin Governor—and GOP presidential hopeful--Scott Walker committed more than $400 million in taxpayer money to help build a new basketball arena for a group of wealthy investors. Walker, like many pols before him, fell for the promise of huge economic returns from a state-of-the art
August 13, 2015Howard Gleckman
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

Hillary Clinton’s Complex, Gimmicky Profit-Sharing Plan

Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton has offered a new tax subsidy to encourage firms to share profits with their employees. The idea of profit sharing is worth debating, but Clinton’s specific proposal is enormously complicated and depends on budget gimmicks to add up. Her basic
July 21, 2015Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

How Many Americans Get Government Assistance? All of Us

The other day, the Census Bureau put out a new report that concluded about one-in-five Americans received government benefits in 2012. But the study, called Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Participation in Government Programs, 2009–2012: Who Gets Assistance, takes a far too narrow view about who
June 4, 2015Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Taxes, Charitable Gifts, the ACA, and Ineffective Deadlines

Scrambling to make a last-minute charitable donation to beat the New Year’s Eve deadline for a 2014 tax deduction? Take a deep breath and ask yourself, “Why am I going through this craziness now?” Why is an activity that is largely (though not entirely) tax-motivated built around the end of the
December 30, 2014Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

How 19 Million Uninsured Tax Filers Could Get ACA Coverage

Back in November, I suggested that tax prep firms might be a useful portal for low-income people to get insurance coverage through the Affordable Care...
February 20, 2014Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Tax Policy Should Consider New Business, Not Small Business

Small businesses occupy an iconic place in the public policy debate and benefit from a broad range of tax and spending subsidies. But the economic...
April 8, 2013William G. Gale
Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

How Government Limits Upward Mobility

Upward mobility has been a foundation of America’s self-image since the 18 th century. If you work hard enough, nothing can stop you from getting...
July 19, 2012Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Solyndra, Carrots, and Sticks

A wonderfully-titled new paper —The Tragedy of the Carrots—by Boston College law professor Brian Galle got me thinking about Solyndra, the failed solar panel company...
October 11, 2011Howard Gleckman
Individual Taxes: TaxVox

Not All Tax Breaks Are Created Equal

It has become fashionable (I am happy to say) for politicians to talk about ending or at least scaling back tax subsidies . But pols...
August 24, 2011Howard Gleckman