Election Analysis
Taxes are one of the central issues in any national election, and theyre also extremely important in many state and local elections. It is vital for the public to understand candidates general views toward tax policy as well as their positions on specific tax issues.
However, taxpayers, voters, journalists, and even elected officials often have a difficult time sorting through all the informationand misinformationon taxes that circulates on the Internet, in the media, in political speeches, and in election debates and advertisements.
To help voters and taxpayers evaluate candidates positions, Tax Foundation scholars analyze political speeches, debates, campaign advertisements, websites, and other sources to separate the tax facts from the falsehoods in various elections, especially at the national level.
Featured Election Analysis
2008 Presidential Candidate Tax Plan Comparison
Related Blog Entries
- This Morning's News and Views on Obama Tax, Stimulus Plan, by Matt Moon, January 5, 2009
- WSJ Columnist Cites Our State & Local Tax Studies, Urges Obama Not to Repeat New Jersey's Mistakes, by Matt Moon, December 30, 2008
- PA Gov. Rendell's Plan to Fix Budget Shortfall Relies Heavily on State Bailouts, by Mark Robyn, December 17, 2008
- In the News: Tax Strategies, Tax Fraud, Tax Relief and Carbon Tax, by Matt Moon, December 3, 2008
- Obama's Economic Team Is Solid Thus Far, by Gerald Prante, November 24, 2008
- Tax Foundation in College Newspapers, and the Best of the Blogosphere, by Matt Moon, November 17, 2008
- Scott Hodge Interview on Accuracy in Media's Podcast, and This Week's Best of the Blogosphere, by Matt Moon, November 7, 2008
- Top Ordinary Income Tax Rate Is Not the Same as Capital Gains Tax Rate, Sen. Menendez, by Gerald Prante, November 5, 2008
- State Tax-Related Ballot Initiative Results, by Joseph Henchman, November 5, 2008
- New Commentary on Maryland Slots Proposal, by TF Staff, November 3, 2008
- Is Obama Changing His Tune on Taxes?, by Gerald Prante, November 1, 2008
- Obama, McCain Keep up the Misleading Talk on Taxes as Election Day Approaches, by Gerald Prante, November 1, 2008
- Obama Proposes Big Tax Increases, But Not 65% Big, by Josh Barro, October 31, 2008
- Tax Foundation Report Looks At Ballot Initiatives in 23 States, by Joseph Henchman, October 31, 2008
- Best of the Blogosphere: "Tax Attack," SILO, Tax Credit Debate, McCain Health Credit, by Matt Moon, October 31, 2008
- Federal Judge Enjoins Gag Rule on Florida Ballot Initiatives, by Joseph Henchman, October 30, 2008
- News To Obama: The OECD Says the United States Has the Most Progressive Tax System, by Scott A. Hodge, October 29, 2008
- Quotation for This Week, by Joseph Henchman, October 29, 2008
- Obama Lets Part of Bush Tax Cuts Expire; McCain Lets Virtually None Expire, by Gerald Prante, October 29, 2008
- Obama Misleading Voters Again on Taxes, by Gerald Prante, October 28, 2008
- TF Economist Discusses Presidential Plans on Fox Business, by TF Staff, October 28, 2008
- Baloney from Obama about Outsourcing, by William Ahern, October 28, 2008
- Redistribution of Income Depends on the Baseline, by Gerald Prante, October 27, 2008
- Would Obama Tax Your Life Savings?, by Gerald Prante, October 27, 2008
- Tax Foundation Commentaries: Carroll on McCain Health Credit, Hodge on Corporate Taxes, by Matt Moon, October 27, 2008
- Best of the Blogosphere: Small Businesses, Redistribution, Corporate Taxes and More, by Matt Moon, October 27, 2008
- Laugh of the Day: Obama, McCain Campaigns Accuse One Another of Misleading Ads, by Gerald Prante, October 25, 2008
- Joe the Plumber Loves the FairTax But Also Likes Flat Tax, by Gerald Prante, October 24, 2008
- From the Tax Foundation Archives: Income Taxes in 1987, by Alicia Hansen, October 24, 2008
- Obama's McCain-Bush Ad More of the Same: Falsehoods and Misleading, by Gerald Prante, October 23, 2008
- Event at AEI on Friday to Address Fundamental Tax Reform; What Would the Candidates Say?, by Gerald Prante, October 23, 2008
- Plenty of Tax News and Views in Today's Wall Street Journal, by Matt Moon, October 23, 2008
- Palin's Probably Taxable Clothes, by Joseph Henchman, October 23, 2008
- Correction for Steve Malanga of Real Clear Markets: NTU's Ballot Initiative Report, by Matt Moon, October 22, 2008
- Obama Tweaks Tax Plan, by Gerald Prante, October 22, 2008
- Best of the Blogosphere: Nonpayers, Fact Checking the Candidates, Maryland's Woes, and ND Measure 2, by Matt Moon, October 21, 2008
- Presidential Candidate Tax Plan Comparison Update, by Mark Robyn, October 20, 2008
- Tax Foundation Fact-Checks Final Presidential Debate for Joe the Plumber, by TF Staff, October 18, 2008
- In Joe the Plumber Video, Obama Actually Overstates Joe's Tax Hike, by Gerald Prante, October 17, 2008
- So How Does the Obama Tax Plan Really Affect Joe the Plumber?, by Josh Barro, October 17, 2008
- Tax Foundation on Presidential Election Rhetoric Twenty-Eight Years Ago: This Sounds Familiar, by Alicia Hansen, October 17, 2008
- Democratic Anti-Chambliss Ad on FairTax is Very Deceptive, by Joseph Henchman, October 17, 2008
- McCain Releases Ad Calling Obama's Tax Cuts Welfare, by Gerald Prante, October 16, 2008
- Joe the Plumber's Tax Bill under Obama (Head of Household Edition), by Gerald Prante, October 16, 2008
- How Much Would Joe the Plumber Pay Under Obama's Tax Plan?, by Mark Robyn and Gerald Prante, October 16, 2008
- More on Joe the Plumber, by Gerald Prante, October 16, 2008
- Fact Checking Tax Policy Discussion in the Final Presidential Debate, by Gerald Prante, October 15, 2008
- Debate Tonight: Will the Real Truth Come Out on Anything?, by Gerald Prante, October 15, 2008
- Thoughts On the New Obama-Biden Tax Calculator, by Mark Robyn, October 15, 2008
- Tax Foundation in the Editorial Pages: Nonpayers, Corporate Taxes, and the Index, by Matt Moon, October 13, 2008
- Another Obama Ad Fudging Numbers, by Gerald Prante, October 12, 2008
- Latest Obama Ad on Taxes Contains Half-Truths, Misleading Claims, by Gerald Prante, October 11, 2008
- Candidates Beware! We Are Watching You, by Matt Moon, October 10, 2008
- Small Businesses, the Top Two Rates, and the Presidential Debate, by Gerald Prante, October 8, 2008
- Fact Checking the Tax Talk: Economic Policy Dominates Second Presidential Debate, by Gerald Prante, October 7, 2008
- McCain's Health Care Tax Plan Is Not Budget Neutral, by Gerald Prante, October 7, 2008
- Obama and McCain Tax Proposals Raise Marginal Tax Rates for Many Middle-Income Taxpayers, by TF Staff, October 7, 2008
- Tax Returns and Charitable Contributions of the Major Candidates, by Joseph Henchman, October 7, 2008
- Party Revenue From State Income Tax "Check-Off", by Mark Robyn, October 6, 2008
- I'm [John McCain / Barack Obama] And I Approve This False Message, by Gerald Prante, October 5, 2008
- New Podcast on Obama's Tax Plan, by TF Staff, October 3, 2008
- Vice-Presidential Debate: Plenty of Errors in Tax Policy Rhetoric, by Gerald Prante, October 2, 2008
- New McCain/Palin Ad Says Obama's Tax Plan Won't Benefit You, by Gerald Prante, October 2, 2008
- New Ads from Rightchange.com Attacking Obama: More Falsehoods, by Gerald Prante, October 2, 2008
- More Misleading Ads from Obama on Taxes, by Gerald Prante, October 2, 2008
- What is "Middle Class"?, by Joseph Henchman, October 1, 2008
- Tax Policy Questions for the Presidential Candidates, by TF Staff, September 30, 2008
- Obama Proposes Raising FDIC Insurance Limit, by Joseph Henchman, September 30, 2008
- Rightchange.com Running False Ads Attacking Obama on Taxes, by Gerald Prante, September 29, 2008
- McCain Attacks Obama's Votes on Taxes, But Would He Criticize His Own Voting Record?, by Gerald Prante, September 29, 2008
- McCain and Obama Both Play Loose with Facts on Tax Issues in Debate, by Gerald Prante, September 26, 2008
- Biden Speech Is Feast for Factcheck.org, by Joseph Henchman and Gerald Prante, September 25, 2008
- 2008 Republican Platform: No Bailouts, by Gerald Prante, September 24, 2008
- Classic Simpsons Moment Defines the 2008 Presidential Election, by Gerald Prante, September 23, 2008
- 2008 Campaign in a Nutshell: If It Sounds Good, Just Say It (Facts Schmacks), by Gerald Prante, September 23, 2008
- Can Taxes Be Cut Below Zero?: Touted Tax Plans, Transfers, and Net Beneficiaries, by Joseph Henchman, September 23, 2008
- Obama Exaggerates Big Time on Income Losses Under Bush in Speech on Economy, by Gerald Prante, September 22, 2008
- Joke of the Day, by Gerald Prante, September 22, 2008
- Biden Says Paying More in Taxes is Patriotic; If You Send A Check, They Will Cash It, by Joseph Henchman, September 22, 2008
- Obama and McCain Ads Are More Deceptive Than Predatory Lenders, by Gerald Prante, September 20, 2008
- Whose Tax Plan Would Do More for the "Middle Class"? Obama's or McCain's?, by Gerald Prante, September 20, 2008
- Reforming a Broken Health Care System Is No Joke: A Response to Brad Delong's Blog Post, by TF Staff, September 19, 2008
- McCain Adviser Doesn't Understand John McCain's Health Care Tax Plan, by Gerald Prante, September 19, 2008
- Why Biden's "It's Patriotic for Wealthy to Pay More in Taxes" Comment Doesn't Really Make Sense, by Gerald Prante, September 18, 2008
- McCain's Health Care Tax Plan Is Not a Tax Hike, by Gerald Prante, September 16, 2008
- Whose Tax Policies Are Better for the Economy? Obama or McCain, by Gerald Prante, September 15, 2008
- CBS News Report on Taxes Doesn't Explain Tax Bills Very Well, by Gerald Prante, September 12, 2008
- More Tax Credit vs. Exemption vs. Deduction vs. Exclusion Ignorance (John McCain Edition), by Gerald Prante, September 11, 2008
- Joe Biden: Economic Sense = Bad for America, by Gerald Prante, September 11, 2008
- Joe Klein's Ignorance of Tax Code, by Gerald Prante, September 11, 2008
- Intrade: Not a Tax Crystal Ball, by Josh Barro, September 10, 2008
- McCain and Palin Utilize the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, by Mark Robyn, September 9, 2008
- O'Reilly vs. Obama on Economics and Tax Policy, by Gerald Prante, September 9, 2008
- Taxes on the Campaign Trail, by Joseph Henchman, September 9, 2008
- Governor Palin Talks Tax Incidence Too, by Gerald Prante, September 4, 2008
- McCain vs. Palin on Earmarks, by Gerald Prante, September 3, 2008
- Fred Thompson Talks Tax Incidence, by Gerald Prante, September 3, 2008
- Presidential Candidate Tax Plan Comparison, by Joseph Henchman, September 2, 2008
- Democratic Platform Proposes More Complexity for Tax Code, by Joseph Henchman, August 27, 2008
- Obama Favors Raising Taxes on Veterans, by Gerald Prante, August 26, 2008
- Major Party Conventions Partly Funded with Tax Dollars, by Joseph Henchman, August 25, 2008
- Obama and Biden Badmouth "Big Oil" (Again), Yet Two Disagreed on 2005 Energy Bill, by Gerald Prante, August 23, 2008
- Comment on Brad DeLong's GDP Estimate under Obama vs. McCain, by Gerald Prante, August 23, 2008
- Report Criticizes Problems in Obama Tax Relief for Senior Citizens, by TF Staff, August 22, 2008
- Corporate Taxes Hitting the Editorial Pages, by Matt Moon, August 21, 2008
- Is Obama's Tax Plan Really a Welfare Program?, by Gerald Prante, August 19, 2008
- New Tax Foundation Comparison of Obama's and McCain's Tax Plans, by TF Staff, August 18, 2008
- McCain Says $7,000 "Credit " for Each Child; Let's Hope He Meant "Exemption", by Gerald Prante, August 18, 2008
- Both McCain and Obama Are Actually Seeking Higher Gas Prices, by Gerald Prante, August 15, 2008
- More Questions About the Obama Tax Plan, by Josh Barro, August 14, 2008
- Questions About the Obama Tax Plan, by Robert Carroll, August 14, 2008
- NY Sun Editorial: Obama's War on Women (Tax Edition), by Gerald Prante, August 14, 2008
- Would 101 Million Families Not Benefit from McCain's Tax Plan?, by Gerald Prante, August 14, 2008
- Experts Agree: Obama's Exempting Seniors from Income Tax is a Gimmick, by Gerald Prante, August 12, 2008
- Democratic Draft Platform Details More Tax Complexity Despite Call for Simplification, by Joseph Henchman and Josh Barro, August 12, 2008
- What Does Obama Mean When He Says "Windfall Profits Tax"?, by Josh Barro, August 11, 2008
- What Happens When You Tax the Rich? by Austan Goolsbee, by Gerald Prante, August 11, 2008
- What Capital Gains Tax Rate Does Obama Favor?, by Gerald Prante, August 11, 2008
- New McCain Ad: Obama Would Raise Taxes on Middle Class, Seniors, and Small Business, by Gerald Prante, August 8, 2008
- Would Obama's Tax Plan Cost Jobs?, by Gerald Prante, August 7, 2008
- McCain's Proud Moments, by Gerald Prante, August 6, 2008
- Post Joins Criticism of Obama Windfall Profits Tax Gimmick, by Joseph Henchman, August 6, 2008
- Windfall Profits Taxes: Still a Bad Idea, by Josh Barro, August 5, 2008
- Obama Rhetoric on Oil Sounds Nice, But Nonsense, by Gerald Prante, July 31, 2008
- New McCain Ad Accuses Obama of Wanting to Impose New Taxes on Electricity, by Gerald Prante, July 30, 2008
- McCain, Please Stop with the Gas Tax Holiday Talk, by Gerald Prante, July 27, 2008
- More Bogus E-mails About Obama and Taxes, by Gerald Prante, July 25, 2008
- Frank Rich's Assessment of Holtz-Eakin Is Dishonest, Unfair, by Gerald Prante, July 22, 2008
- Economic Reality Check for Democratic Oil Rhetoric, by Gerald Prante, July 20, 2008
- Gas Tax Holiday Rhetoric on Both Sides Void of Economic Logic, by Gerald Prante, July 19, 2008
- Cato Policy Forum on Presidential Candidates' Tax Plans, by Will Luther, July 15, 2008
- Washington Times Article Highlights Candidates' Tax Plans, by Gerald Prante, July 14, 2008
- Obama Would Lift Social Security Earnings Cap, But At A Lower Tax Rate, by Joseph Henchman, July 8, 2008
- How Would Obama?s Tax Plan Affect Americans Living Abroad?, by Alicia Hansen, June 30, 2008
- First Hard Numbers on Obama Tax Plan Show Dramatic Tax Redistribution, by TF Staff, June 26, 2008
- A Brief Review of the Literature for Presidential Hopefuls, by Will Luther, June 17, 2008
- Obama Tax Plan Shifts Burden onto Rich in Worst Possible Way, by Gerald Prante, June 14, 2008
- November Election Provides Unique Opportunity for Tax Reform, by Alicia Hansen, June 5, 2008
- Which States Would Be Affected Most by Obama's Proposal to Lift the Social Security Tax Cap?, by TF Staff, June 3, 2008
- Capital Gains Tax Continues to Roil Economic Debate on Anniversary of Bush Tax Cut, by William Ahern, May 27, 2008
- Video and Photos from Conference on Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Plans, by TF Staff, May 7, 2008
- Sen. Menendez: Thank God We Don't Have Economists Making Public Policy, by Gerald Prante, May 6, 2008
- Hillary Says Rural America Is Struggling from Rising Food Prices, by Gerald Prante, May 6, 2008
- Federal Gas Tax Holiday Wouldn't Apply to Nevada, California, Oklahoma and Tennessee, by Joseph Henchman and Gerald Prante, May 6, 2008
- Distributional Effects of Gas Tax Holiday, by TF Staff, May 2, 2008
- The Worst of the Gas Tax Debate, by Gerald Prante, May 1, 2008
- Is a Windfall Profits Tax Justified by Ability to Pay?, by Gerald Prante, April 30, 2008
- Presidential Campaigns to Address Major Domestic Policy Issues, by Courtney Albregts, April 28, 2008
- Did Hillary Clinton Fail Econ 101?, by Gerald Prante, April 28, 2008
- Windfall Profits Taxes Won't Lower Price at the Pump, by Gerald Prante, April 28, 2008
- NYT and WaPo on McCain Economics and Holtz-Eakin's Role, by Gerald Prante, April 23, 2008
- Conference on the Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Plans, by TF Staff, April 22, 2008
- Obama and Gibson Capital Gains Tax Exchange, by Gerald Prante, April 17, 2008
- Observations on Tax Talk from Democratic Debate, by Gerald Prante, April 16, 2008
- McCain's Personal Exemption Increase Would Cost About $24 billion for 1 Year, by Gerald Prante, April 16, 2008
- McCain Floats (Not Very Good) New Tax Ideas, by Gerald Prante, April 15, 2008
- Comparing Charitable Giving of Clinton and Obama, by TF Staff, April 4, 2008
- Hillary Clinton Releases Tax Returns, by TF Staff, April 4, 2008
- Obama Goes Populist, Seeks Penalty on Windfall Profits of Oil Companies, by Gerald Prante, March 31, 2008
- Comparing the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates? Tax Plans, by Alicia Hansen, February 13, 2008
- Tax Foundation Releases Presidential Candidate Tax Plan Comparison, by TF Staff, February 1, 2008
- Did the 2001 Tax Rebate Checks Stimulate Consumption? The Economic Evidence, by Gerald Prante, January 21, 2008
- Economic Benefits of Fiscal Stimulus Likely to Be Small, by William Ahern, January 18, 2008
- Tax Foundation Proposes Long-Term Solution to Economic Woes, Not Quick Fix, by TF Staff, January 11, 2008
- Giuliani Wrong on Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Gerald Prante, December 3, 2007
- The Huckabee Tax Record, by Gerald Prante, November 30, 2007
- Presidential Candidates' Views on Social Security, by Gerald Prante, November 29, 2007
- Questions for Tonight's Republican Debate, Part II, by TF Staff, November 28, 2007
- Questions for Tonight?s Republican Debate, by TF Staff, November 28, 2007
- Questions for Tonight's Democratic Debate, by TF Staff, November 15, 2007
- Obama's Tax Proposals Head in Opposite Direction of Fundamental Tax Reform, by Gerald Prante, November 7, 2007
- Dennis Kucinich Says Tax System Redistributes Wealth Upward, by Gerald Prante, October 30, 2007
- Obama Criticizes Tax Loopholes, Then Seeks to Create More, by Gerald Prante, October 22, 2007
- Observations from the Republican Debate, by Gerald Prante, October 10, 2007
- Questions for the GOP Economic Debate, by TF Staff, October 9, 2007
- Edwards Calls for Massive Social Security Tax Increase, by Nate Bailey, September 27, 2007
- Obama Tax Plan Aimed To Help Homeowners and Seniors: Who Else?, by Gerald Prante, September 18, 2007
- Rudy Giuliani Unveils Tax Plan, by Gerald Prante, August 27, 2007
- John Edwards and the War on Work, by William Ahern, August 16, 2007
- John Edwards Says $200,000 Is Middle Class, But $250,000 Is Wealthy, by Gerald Prante, August 10, 2007
- Sen. Obama Wrong About Economics of Sports Stadiums, by Gerald Prante, August 8, 2007
- Reality Check for John Edwards on Who Pays Taxes, by Gerald Prante, July 27, 2007
