Tax Reform
A well-designed tax system raises revenue for necessary programs as efficiently, fairly, and simply as possible. The goal of fundamental tax reform is to reconcile these often-conflicting goals, and reform the current tax system in a way that minimizes the compexity, unfairness and economic inefficiency that have characterized the U.S. tax system for generations.
Additional questions about tax reform? Contact us at (202) 464-6200.
Related Blog Entries
- Should Hyde Amendment Apply to Tax Expenditures?, by Gerald Prante, November 13, 2009
- Some Thoughts from the Tax Policy Center on Tax Credits and Tax Reform, by Mark Robyn, November 11, 2009
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- Taxes Versus Spending Study, by Justin Higginbottom, October 29, 2009
- Internal Revenue Code Turns 23 Today, by Mark Robyn, October 22, 2009
- Virginia's Energy Efficiency Sales Tax Holiday Starts Tomorrow, by Mark Robyn, October 8, 2009
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- White House Wants Your Ideas on Tax Reform, by Joseph Henchman and Mark Robyn, September 25, 2009
- Ohio Lawmakers Should Reject Sales Tax Holiday "Reform", by Mark Robyn, September 2, 2009
- The Oxymoronic Standard Deduction for Real Estate Taxes, by Mark Robyn, September 1, 2009
- Are All Tax Cuts Welfare-Enhancing?, by Gerald Prante, July 16, 2009
- Tax Reform in Maine, by TF Staff, June 24, 2009
- New Podcast: Joseph Henchman of the Tax Foundation - Corzine, Christie and Lonegan Tax Proposals, by Matt Moon, May 27, 2009
- Specter Joins Nelson as Only Democrats Who Voted for 2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts, by Matt Moon, April 29, 2009
- Missouri's Version of the FairTax, by Mark Robyn, April 22, 2009
- And the [News] Beat Goes On: Another Sampling of Media Coverage From a Busy Tax Week, by Matt Moon, April 16, 2009
- New Podcast: Ari Fleischer - Reforming the Tax Code to Promote Economic Growth, Not Wealth Redistribution, by Matt Moon, April 15, 2009
- CBPP Issues Report on Tax Expenditures, by Mark Robyn, April 13, 2009
- New Podcast: Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) - Obama Budget vs. GOP Alternative, by Matt Moon, April 8, 2009
- New Podcast: Kristina Rasmussen of the Illinois Policy Institute - Gov. Quinn's Tax Increase Proposal, by Matt Moon, April 1, 2009
- Obama Creates Tax Reform Panel to Reduce Tax Gap, by Matt Moon, March 26, 2009
- Limiting Charitable Contribution Tax Deductions for the Rich: Communications Director Discusses Obama's Proposal on Radio America, by Matt Moon, March 26, 2009
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- New TF Report: State Budget Shortfalls Present a Tax Reform Opportunity, by TF Staff, February 11, 2009
- New Podcast: State Budget Shortfalls Present Opportunities for Tax Reform, by Matt Moon, February 4, 2009
- Senator Daschle, Secretary Geithner and the Tax Gap, by Robert Carroll, February 2, 2009
- The Biden Task Force on the Middle Class, by Robert Carroll, January 31, 2009
- Geithner’s Tax Problems Shine a Bright Light on Tax Complexity, by Robert Carroll, January 15, 2009
- Should Organizations Favoring Lower Taxes Embrace the Federal State and Local Tax Deduction?, by Gerald Prante, January 6, 2009
- Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) Pens Column in Greenville News on Tax Reform Package, by Matt Moon, December 17, 2008
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- A Federal Tax Holiday?, by Joseph Henchman, December 1, 2008
- Shock: Realtors Asking for More Handouts from Government, by Gerald Prante, November 14, 2008
- California Governor Establishes Tax Review Panel, by Joseph Henchman, October 31, 2008
- Tax Foundation and AEI Hosting Conference This Friday on Progressive Consumption Tax, by Matt Moon, October 22, 2008
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- The Internal Revenue Code Would Fit on Approx. 80 Rolls of Toilet Paper, by TF Staff, August 28, 2008
- Thursday Video: Bad State Tax Ideas, by Joseph Henchman, August 21, 2008
- Interesting Points Made in CNN FairTax Debate, by Joseph Henchman, August 21, 2008
- Will the 1040 Be 3 Pages Next Year?, by Gerald Prante, July 26, 2008
- Flat Tax vs. FairTax Debate, by Joseph Henchman, July 14, 2008
- Massachusetts Income Tax Repeal to Appear on November Ballot, by Joseph Henchman, July 10, 2008
- Thursday Video: Newsreel on President Kennedy's 1962 Tax Cuts, by Joseph Henchman, June 12, 2008
- November Election Provides Unique Opportunity for Tax Reform, by Alicia Hansen, June 5, 2008
- Video and Photos from Conference on Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Plans, by TF Staff, May 7, 2008
- GAO Studies Compliance and Transition Issues of Value-Added Taxes (VATs), by Joseph Henchman, May 6, 2008
- Conference on the Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Plans, by TF Staff, April 22, 2008
- Tax Foundation Helps Kentucky Promote Fiscal Literacy, by Tonya Barr, March 17, 2008
- More Countries Move to Simpler, Lower Taxes, by Joseph Henchman, February 25, 2008
- Presidential Words of Wisdom on Taxes, by Alicia Hansen, February 18, 2008
- Comparing the Democratic and Republican Presidential Candidates? Tax Plans, by Alicia Hansen, February 13, 2008
- Bill Introduced in Congress to Affirm Physical Presence Rule, by Joseph Henchman, February 8, 2008
- Tax Foundation Releases Presidential Candidate Tax Plan Comparison, by TF Staff, February 1, 2008
- State of the Union Address Mostly on Target, but Misses One Important Point, by Robert Carroll, January 28, 2008
- Bowyer FairTax Critique Proves Too Much, by Joseph Henchman, January 22, 2008
- Mortgage Bankers Solution to Economic Downturn: Give Us More Tax Subsidies, by Gerald Prante, January 17, 2008
- Why Tax Reform Is Difficult: Realtors® President Says "Politics Is Our Business", by Gerald Prante, January 15, 2008
- National Taxpayer Advocate Releases Annual Report, by Joseph Henchman, January 14, 2008
- Tax Foundation Proposes Long-Term Solution to Economic Woes, Not Quick Fix, by TF Staff, January 11, 2008
- FairTax Article Roundup, by Gerald Prante, January 7, 2008
- The Role of the FairTax in Huckabee's Win, by Gerald Prante, January 4, 2008
- Our Wish List for Tax Policy in 2008, by TF Staff, December 27, 2007
- FairTax Podcast with Bruce Bartlett, by Gerald Prante, December 18, 2007
- France Taxes "Bad" Cars, Subsidizes "Good" Cars, by Gerald Prante, December 14, 2007
- AMT by Income Group in 1970, by Gerald Prante, December 4, 2007
- Giuliani Wrong on Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Gerald Prante, December 3, 2007
- Questions for Tonight's Democratic Debate, by TF Staff, November 15, 2007
- Chairman Rangel Calls Popular Tax Breaks Untouchable, But He's Not So Afraid of Them, by William Ahern, November 14, 2007
- Obama's Tax Proposals Head in Opposite Direction of Fundamental Tax Reform, by Gerald Prante, November 7, 2007
- The Economist Editorial Board Understands Tax Reform, by Gerald Prante, November 5, 2007
- Happy 2nd Anniversary, Tax Reform Panel Report, by Gerald Prante, November 1, 2007
- Dennis Kucinich Says Tax System Redistributes Wealth Upward, by Gerald Prante, October 30, 2007
- Kevin Hassett on ?Mother of All Tax Reforms?, by Curtis S. Dubay, October 29, 2007
- Is a Revenue-Neutral Tax Proposal Equivalent to a Tax Hike?, by Gerald Prante, October 26, 2007
- Obama Criticizes Tax Loopholes, Then Seeks to Create More, by Gerald Prante, October 22, 2007
- AMT Patch Appears Likely; "Pay For" Is Uncertain, by Gerald Prante, October 17, 2007
- Observations from the Republican Debate, by Gerald Prante, October 10, 2007
- A Tax Credit for Every Problem, by Gerald Prante, September 27, 2007
- Congressman's Bill Calls for "Middle-Class" Tax Relief, by Gerald Prante, September 25, 2007
- Obama Tax Plan Aimed To Help Homeowners and Seniors: Who Else?, by Gerald Prante, September 18, 2007
- Would Tom Cruise Be a FairTax Supporter?, by Gerald Prante, September 7, 2007
- Rudy Giuliani Unveils Tax Plan, by Gerald Prante, August 27, 2007
- IRS Likely to Inject Itself into Bonds? Pursuit of Home Run Record, by Curtis S. Dubay, August 3, 2007
- Who Itemizes and Who Takes the Standard Deduction?, by Gerald Prante, July 27, 2007
- Millionaires Would Love to Be in AMT, by Gerald Prante, July 26, 2007
- Nixon Treasury Originally Opposed AMT, by Gerald Prante, July 20, 2007
- Repealing Mortgage Interest Deduction Could Pay for Seven SCHIPs, by Gerald Prante, July 19, 2007
- Why Is the Federal Deficit Falling and Will It Continue to Fall?, by Gerald Prante, July 12, 2007
- Burman and Hassett Tell It Like It Is on AMT Before Finance Committee, by Gerald Prante, June 28, 2007
- Federal Tax Code Says "Farming Good, Adult Movies Bad", by Gerald Prante, June 27, 2007
- New Study on the AMT, by Alicia Hansen, May 18, 2007
- Tax Foundation President Testifies Before Congress, by Alicia Hansen, May 11, 2007
- Wyden and Emanuel to Introduce "Fair Flat Tax Act" Today, by Andrew Chamberlain, April 16, 2007
- New Study Analyzes Distribution of Taxes and Spending Together, by Gerald Prante, March 23, 2007
- Budget Battle: Americans Show Little Support For Higher Taxes, by Brian Phillips, March 23, 2007
- Tax Gap Flap, by Brian Phillips, March 14, 2007
- AMT Tax Savings Go to High-Income Taxpayers: Now What?, by Brian Phillips, March 8, 2007
- What is Corporations' Fair Share of the U.S. Tax Burden?, by Andrew Chamberlain, February 20, 2007
- President?s 2008 Budget Reveals Massive Holes in Tax Code, by Curtis S. Dubay and William Ahern, February 6, 2007
- Simplification Is A Productive Start For Reform, by Brian Phillips, January 8, 2007
- Making the Problem Worse: Credits, Credits, and More Credits, by Brian Phillips, January 4, 2007
- Controlling Federal Spending: A New Year?s Resolution for Congress, by Alicia Hansen, December 28, 2006
- Complexity Continues to Burden Tax Code, by Brian Phillips, December 20, 2006
- Time For Bi-partisan Consensus on Tax Reform, by Brian Phillips, December 13, 2006
- "Squandermaniacs" In San Antonio, by Brian Phillips, December 12, 2006
- New Congress Faces Opportunity on Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 20, 2006
- Think Twice on Tax Credits (Even Popular Ones), by Brian Phillips, November 14, 2006
- Capitol Hill Event on Lessons from Tax Reform in the Slovak Republic, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 11, 2006
- Time for Election Day "Truce" on Tax Credits, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 7, 2006
- Twenty Years Later: The Tax Reform Act of 1986, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 23, 2006
- A Flat Tax for Costa Rica?, by Alicia Hansen, October 11, 2006
- Twenty Years Later, What's Left of the '86 Tax Reform?, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 5, 2006
- Issues in the Indexing of Capital Gains for Inflation, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 3, 2006
- The Growing Problem of Tax Expenditures, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 29, 2006
- Martin Feldstein on the Report of the President's Tax Reform Panel, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 26, 2006
- U.S. Comptroller to Congress: ?If in doubt, leave the preference out?, by Gerald Prante, September 21, 2006
- Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson on Private Debt Collection at the IRS, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 19, 2006
- Podcast with the Wall Street Journal's Stephen Moore, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 12, 2006
- Five Years After 9-11 Some Threats Still Unanswered, by Brian Phillips, September 6, 2006
- Is the United States a Bankrupt Nation?, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 11, 2006
- Former Senator Calls Home Mortgage Interest Deduction "Indefensible", by Gerald Prante, August 6, 2006
- Can Congress Reform the Federal Tax Code Without Addressing Spending?, by Chris Atkins, August 1, 2006
- New Podcast on Improving the U.S. Corporate Tax System, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 1, 2006
- Senator Seeks to Export New Jersey's High Property Tax Burden, by Gerald Prante, August 1, 2006
- Senator Wyden Takes on Tax Reform, by Gerald Prante, July 24, 2006
- Home Builders Study Shows Tax Subsidies Highly Concentrated Geographically, by Gerald Prante, July 21, 2006
- Feldstein: Taxes on Investment Income Are High and Distortionary, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 21, 2006
- Choosing Between Income and Consumption Taxes, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 21, 2006
- NCAA Title Not the Only Victory for Oklahoma State Golf This Year, by Gerald Prante, June 5, 2006
- New CRS Report on Flat Tax Proposals and Fundamental Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 1, 2006
- Dynamic Benefits of the Tax Reform Panel's Recommendations, by Andrew Chamberlain, May 30, 2006
- No Homerun for Tax Reform Yet, by Alicia Hansen, May 23, 2006
- Real Estate Industry Takes Aim at Tax Reform, by Gerald Prante, May 22, 2006
- The Tax Code's Day of Reckoning: January 1, 2011, by Gerald Prante, May 5, 2006
- Mankiw on Healthcare and the Tax Code, by Andrew Chamberlain, April 3, 2006
- Rent-Seeking Companies Derail Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, March 27, 2006
- States Cracking Down on Tax Loans, by Gerald Prante, March 21, 2006
- Tax Reform Lives On in Washington, by Andrew Chamberlain, March 17, 2006
- Tax Cuts or Tax Reform for 2006?, by Gerald Prante, March 15, 2006
- IRS Blames Tax Complexity for Non-Compliance, by Gerald Prante, February 15, 2006
- Can Tax Reform Be Kept Alive?, by Andrew Chamberlain, February 8, 2006
- Vertical Equity and the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Andrew Chamberlain, February 6, 2006
- Senate Passes Tax Cuts, Adds Complexity, by Gerald Prante, February 3, 2006
- Why Not Subsidize Health Care Through the Tax Code?, by Gerald Prante, February 2, 2006
- Tax Reform Abandoned in State of the Union Address, by Andrew Chamberlain, February 2, 2006
- The Debate Over Tax Credits for Religious Education, by Gerald Prante, January 21, 2006
- Should Employee Health-Care Benefits Be Taxed?, by Andrew Chamberlain, January 12, 2006
- Non-Payers, Tax Reform and the Size of Government, by Andrew Chamberlain, December 21, 2005
- Tax Reform and 'Social Engineering', by Andrew Chamberlain, December 16, 2005
- Time to Reform the Charitable Contribution Deduction?, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 23, 2005
- Tax-Exempt State and Local Bonds: A $20 Billion Waste, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 4, 2005
- What Does the Public Think About Taxes?, by Gerald Prante, November 2, 2005
- Final Report of the Federal Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 1, 2005
- Early Look at the President's Tax Reform Panel Report, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 1, 2005
- New Book Available, by Andrew Chamberlain, November 1, 2005
- Learning from European Tax Reform Sucesses, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 31, 2005
- Tax Subsidies for Commuting Lawmakers?, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 31, 2005
- We?ve Come A Long Way, by Curtis S. Dubay, October 28, 2005
- Beating Back the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 24, 2005
- Trophy-House Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 17, 2005
- On the Odds of Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 14, 2005
- Op-ed on America's Missing Taxpayers, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 14, 2005
- Why Are Flat Taxes Speading Globally?, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 12, 2005
- Tax Reform Panel Rejects 'Fair Tax', by Andrew Chamberlain, October 11, 2005
- Ten Principles of Sound Tax Policy, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 7, 2005
- Tax Reform and Revenue Neutrality, by Curtis S. Dubay, October 7, 2005
- The Case Against Targeted Disaster Relief, by Andrew Chamberlain, October 6, 2005
- The Case Against the Home Mortgage Interest Deduction, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 24, 2005
- Average Taxpayer Spends 21 Hours Each Year Preparing for IRS, by Gerald Prante, September 23, 2005
- Death and Taxes: At Least One Is Certain, by Curtis S. Dubay, September 19, 2005
- Small Countries Make It Big with Economic Freedom, by Alicia Hansen, September 16, 2005
- 'Set Free in the Garden of Liberty', by Andrew Chamberlain, September 14, 2005
- Tax Reform Panel Delays Recommendations Until October, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 13, 2005
- The Global Trend Toward Flat-Rate Taxes, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 12, 2005
- Hurricane Katrina May Derail Tax Reform, by Andrew Chamberlain, September 8, 2005
- Tax Confusion Has Become a Nightmare for Students, by Gerald Prante, August 30, 2005
- Quiz on the Consumption Tax, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 25, 2005
- Flat Tax Scandal in UK, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 25, 2005
- The Road to Tax Reform is Paved with?Tax Cuts, by Curtis S. Dubay, August 23, 2005
- Ending the Mortgage Interest Deduction?, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 23, 2005
- Home Mortgage Interest Deduction Forever?, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 22, 2005
- Global Competition Pushes Tax Reform in Germany, by Andrew Chamberlain, August 8, 2005
- The Skyrocketing Tax Complexity Bill of 2005, by Andrew Chamberlain, July 27, 2005
- S-Corporations and the 1986 Tax Reform Act, by Scott A. Hodge, July 22, 2005
- Is a National Value-Added Tax On the Way?, by TF Staff, July 22, 2005
- Night of the Living Keynesians, by Andrew Chamberlain, July 15, 2005
- Permanent Income Hypothesis and the 2001 Tax Cuts, by Andrew Chamberlain, July 14, 2005
- Federal Tax Reform: Back to the Future?, by Chris Atkins, July 13, 2005
- Tax Reform Lessons From New Zealand, by Andrew Chamberlain, July 5, 2005
- Senate Panel Explores Making Tax Cuts Permanent, by Andrew Chamberlain, July 1, 2005
- Clean Energy Bill Threatens to Pollute Tax Code, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 23, 2005
- Revenue Neutrality As Back-Door Redistribution, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 21, 2005
- Great Expectations, by Curtis S. Dubay, June 20, 2005
- Slovakia's Tax Reform Miracle, by Andrew Chamberlain, June 1, 2005
- Flat Tax Debate Rages in Utah, by Andrew Chamberlain, May 27, 2005
- Tax Reform as Maximizing Congressional Happiness, by Andrew Chamberlain, May 25, 2005
- Who Cares About the AMT?, by Patrick Fleenor and Andrew Chamberlain, May 24, 2005
- Hard Choices for Tax Reform Panel, by Scott A. Hodge, May 11, 2005
- Confessions of a Tax Policymaker, by Andrew Chamberlain, May 2, 2005
- Is Bad Tax Policy an Equilibrium?, by Andrew Chamberlain, April 29, 2005
- When Small is Beautiful, by Andrew Chamberlain, April 27, 2005
