TaxVox: Federal Budget and Economy

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The voices of Tax Policy Center's researchers and staff

Federal Budget and Economy

It’s Time Stop Squabbling about the Bush Tax Cuts

November 22, 2011 –
As long as politicians keep squabbling about what to do about the Bush era tax cuts, we are doomed. There will be no serious deficit...
Federal Budget and Economy

Five Reasons Why the Deficit Super Committee Failed

November 21, 2011 –
To the surprise of few , Congress’ super committee is on the brink of failure--unable to agree on $1.2 trillion in budget savings as required...
Federal Budget and Economy

A 20 Percent Tax Rate Cut Would Blow a Huge Hole in the Budget

November 15, 2011 –
In the back-and-forth over deficit reduction on Capitol Hill, Republicans have floated the idea of cutting individual tax rates by 20 percent across the board...
Federal Budget and Economy

The Deficit Super Committee: Still Not Serious

November 10, 2011 –
Is the Congress’ deficit super committee making progress? That depends on your definition of progress, I suppose. The good news is that Republicans are increasingly...
Federal Budget and Economy

News Flash: Antipoverty Programs Can Reduce Poverty

November 7, 2011 –
In 1998, when I was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Analysis at the Treasury Department , I asked my staff expert on the Earned Income...
Federal Budget and Economy

What the GOP Candidates’ Tax Plans Leave Out

November 4, 2011 –
The economy needs fixing, all agree. So naturally, every Republican presidential candidate has a plan for changing the federal tax system. Herman Cain has his...
Individual Taxes

What is a Flat Tax? (Surprise, it is a VAT!)

October 24, 2011 –
Rick Perry is reportedly going to announce his tax reform plan, a so-called flat tax. There are, as far as I know, no details about...
Federal Budget and Economy

Does the Tax Reform Act of 1986 Offer Lessons for Future Reform?

October 20, 2011 –
As the economic coordinator of the Treasury study that led to Tax Reform Act of 1986, I've always found it fascinating to read and listen...
Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms

Cain’s 9-9-9 Plan Would Cut Taxes for the Rich, Raise Taxes for Almost Everyone Else

October 18, 2011 –
Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan would result in a massive tax cut for nearly all of the highest earning Americans and a steep average tax...
Federal Budget and Economy

Tax Policy in Margaritaville: The Buffett Rule

October 7, 2011 –
I'm trying a new thing in the blog--imagining a debate between a smart conservative and liberal economist on a contentious tax policy issue. Here liberal...