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Summary of the Latest Federal Income Tax Data, 2025 Update

Summary of the Latest Federal Income Tax Data, 2025 Update

New IRS data shows the US federal income tax system continues to be progressive as high-income taxpayers pay the highest average income tax rates. Average tax rates for all income groups remain lower after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

6 min read
2024 state estate tax rates and 2024 state inheritance tax rates

Estate and Inheritance Taxes by State, 2024

In addition to the federal estate tax, with a top rate of 40 percent, 12 states and DC impose additional estate taxes, while six states levy inheritance taxes.

7 min read
Property Tax Relief and Reforms include Property Tax Levy Limits not Assessment Limits

Confronting the New Property Tax Revolt

Policymakers can and should address taxpayers’ legitimate grievances about out-of-control property tax bills, but they should do so without upending a system of taxation that is more efficient, fair, and pro-growth, and better suited to municipal finance, than any of the alternatives.

39 min read
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The Tax Foundation is the nation’s leading nonpartisan tax policy 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For over 80 years, our mission has remained the same: to improve lives through tax policies that lead to greater economic growth and opportunity.

Our vision is a world where the tax code doesn’t stand in the way of success. Every day, our team of trusted experts strives towards that vision by remaining principled, insightful, and engaged and by advancing the principles of sound tax policy: simplicity, neutrality, transparency, and stability.

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2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index

2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index

The State Tax Competitiveness Index enables policymakers, taxpayers, and business leaders to gauge how their states’ tax systems compare. While there are many ways to show how much state governments collect in taxes, the Index evaluates how well states structure their tax systems and provides a road map for improvement.

115 min read
International Tax Competitiveness Index 2024 Global Tax Rankings by Country

International Tax Competitiveness Index 2024

While there are many factors that affect a country’s economic performance, taxes play an important role. A well-structured tax code is easy for taxpayers to comply with and can promote economic development while raising sufficient revenue for a government’s priorities.

92 min read
Tax Education - girl in classroom

TaxEDU is designed to advance tax policy education, discussion, and understanding in classrooms, living rooms, and government chambers. It combines the best aspects of cutting-edge and traditional education to elevate the debate, enable deeper understanding, and achieve principled policy.

TaxEDU gives teachers the tools to make students better citizens, taxpayers a vocabulary to see through the rhetoric, lawmakers crash courses to write smarter laws, and videos and podcasts for anyone who wants to boost their tax knowledge on the go.

  • Glossary

    Understand the terms of the debate with our comprehensive glossary, including over 100 tax terms and concepts.

  • Videos

    Our animated explainer videos are designed for the classroom, social media, and anyone looking to boost their tax knowledge on the go.

  • Educational Resources

    Our primers, case studies, and lesson plans form a comprehensive crash course ready for the classroom.

  • Podcast

    The Deduction, a Tax Foundation podcast, is your guide to the complicated world of tax and economics.

  • Principles

    Learn about the principles of sound tax policy—simplicity, transparency, neutrality, and stability—which should serve as touchstones for policymakers and taxpayers everywhere.

  • Legislative Courses

    Our Tax Foundation University and State Tax Policy Boot Camp lecture series are designed to educate tomorrow's leaders on the principles of sound tax policy.