Some political leaders have proposed to lower individual income tax rates and make up the lost revenue by eliminating tax preferences. To help inform the discussion of such proposals, we examine illustrative revenue-neutral combinations of lower rates and cuts in tax preferences and their...
Roberton Williams compares the adjusted gross incomes of the top 400 with the incomes of all other taxpayers with income over $1 million and finds that because they realize more capital gains, the top 400 tend to have lower effective income tax rates than other very high-income taxpayers.
Gene Steuerle testifies before the House Subcommittees on Human Resources and Select Revenue Measures on the true marginal tax rates facing low- and moderate-income families. The nations real tax system includes not just the direct statutory rates explicit in the income tax and the Social...
This article develops an alternative post-2012 personal income tax regime, the "Better Base Case." It argues that revenue collections of the same magnitude as those projected by the CBO (i.e., "current law") are necessary over the medium term, but that the efficiency and equity of current law's...
Gas prices have increased substantially since the beginning of this year, continuing their upward trend since 1990. American drivers are pushing the federal and state governments to implement policies to lower gas prices. But gasoline taxes have not contributed to the increase in gas prices....
Tax expenditures are getting increased scrutiny from budget hawks and tax reformers. New Treasury estimates, released as part of President Obama's recent budget, indicate that these tax preferences will reduce individual and corporate income tax revenues by almost $1.1 trillion in 2012. Those...
Adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on individual income tax returns dropped 12 percent between 2007 and 2009, but AGI reported by taxpayers with income of $1 million or more fell by near half. Lower realized capital gains, which are concentrated among the highest income groups, accounted for...
How Hard Is It to Cut Tax Preferences to Pay for Lower Tax Rates?
Some political leaders have proposed to lower individual income tax rates and make up the lost revenue by eliminating tax preferences. To help inform the discussion of such proposals, we examine illustrative revenue-neutral combinations of lower rates and cuts in tax preferences and their...
Income and Taxes of the Very Rich
Roberton Williams compares the adjusted gross incomes of the top 400 with the incomes of all other taxpayers with income over $1 million and finds that because they realize more capital gains, the top 400 tend to have lower effective income tax rates than other very high-income taxpayers.
Marginal Tax Rates, Work, and the Nation's Real Tax System
Gene Steuerle testifies before the House Subcommittees on Human Resources and Select Revenue Measures on the true marginal tax rates facing low- and moderate-income families. The nations real tax system includes not just the direct statutory rates explicit in the income tax and the Social...
The "Tax Expirers"
Donald Marron's testimony before the House Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures of the Committee on Ways and Means on evaluating tax extenders.
The Better Base Case
This article develops an alternative post-2012 personal income tax regime, the "Better Base Case." It argues that revenue collections of the same magnitude as those projected by the CBO (i.e., "current law") are necessary over the medium term, but that the efficiency and equity of current law's...
Inoculate the Budget Deficit from Health Care Reform
In a contribution to Real Clear Markets, Bill Gale discusses health care reform.
What Federal Tax Reform Means for State and Local Tax and Fiscal Policies
Kim Rueben's testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on federal tax reform and what it means for the tax and fiscal policies of states.
Gasoline Taxes and Rising Fuel Prices
Gas prices have increased substantially since the beginning of this year, continuing their upward trend since 1990. American drivers are pushing the federal and state governments to implement policies to lower gas prices. But gasoline taxes have not contributed to the increase in gas prices....
How Large Are Tax Expenditures? A 2012 Update
Tax expenditures are getting increased scrutiny from budget hawks and tax reformers. New Treasury estimates, released as part of President Obama's recent budget, indicate that these tax preferences will reduce individual and corporate income tax revenues by almost $1.1 trillion in 2012. Those...
Changes in Reported Income, 2007-2009
Adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on individual income tax returns dropped 12 percent between 2007 and 2009, but AGI reported by taxpayers with income of $1 million or more fell by near half. Lower realized capital gains, which are concentrated among the highest income groups, accounted for...