TaxVox: Payroll taxes

alan greenspan walking next to then-president bill clinton

Politicians Are Arguing Again About Social Security. That’s Good

October 26, 2022 –

Suddenly, Social Security reform is back in the news. For all the wrong reasons, perhaps. But at least politicians are talking about it. And that’s...

Individual Taxes

Are Taxes Complicated? Compared to What?

April 15, 2022 –

As the April 18 deadline for filing income tax rapidly approaches, many people will complain about how complicated the process is. But there is a...

Individual Taxes

A Close Look at Joe Biden’s Social Security Proposals

October 12, 2020 –

We recently compared Social Security proposals advanced by Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and four of his primary rivals.

Federal Budget and Economy

Trump The Disrupter Takes Dead Aim At Social Security

August 10, 2020 –

Throughout the 3 ½ years of his presidency, Donald Trump has disrupted nearly every major institution of government, save one.

Individual Taxes

The IRS Delivered Economic Impact Payments In Record Time, So Why Haven’t Some Needy Families Gotten Their Money?

July 23, 2020 –

With Congress about to debate a second round of stimulus payments for tens of millions of people, it is important to review some lessons about...

Federal Budget and Economy

Trump’s Payroll Tax Holiday Won't Help the COVID-19 Economy. Another Republican Has A Better Idea

April 29, 2020 –

President Trump continues to promote a payroll tax holiday as a piece of the next coronavirus relief bill. The idea fails as either relief or stimulus...

Warren’s Medicare For All “Employer Medicare Contribution” Is A Distortionary And Regressive Tax

November 5, 2019 –

On Friday, Elizabeth Warren released her financing plan for Medicare for All . It is predictably wonky and politically courageous—new spending is way more popular...

Federal Budget and Economy

The TCJA Is Increasing The Share Of Households Paying No Federal Income Tax

September 5, 2018 –

The Tax Policy Center has updated its estimate of the percentage of Americans who pay no federal individual income taxes. And the number is: 44...

Individual Taxes

Immigration Curbs Will Weaken Social Security

February 21, 2018 –

President Trump has proposed deporting hundreds of thousands of immigrants and backed curbs on legal immigration into the US. The president’s aggressive views on immigration...

Individual Taxes

Most Americans Pay More Payroll Tax Than Income Tax

September 6, 2016 –

Americans agonize each spring over their annual federal income tax returns. In terms of how much tax they pay, however, they should worry more about...