Tax Policy Blog

Improving Tax Treatment of Structures Offers Commonsense Way to Boost Competitiveness

The U.S. tax system is biased against capital investments. Ending these tax penalties would boost economic output, productivity, and employment.

Maryland Digital Advertising Tax Litigation Focus Moves to State Courts

Digital advertising taxes are poor tax policy and legally dubious in the extreme. Maryland has a long fight ahead of it—all for the right to enact a tax for which lawmakers struggle to even articulate a rationale.

Inflation-Indexing a Useful Tool to Protect New Jersey Taxpayers

Households across the country are struggling with the effects of high inflation. Lawmakers in New Jersey are looking to combat an unlegislated tax increase by indexing the state’s individual income tax code for inflation, something all states should consider.

Will Kentucky Build Upon Its 2018 Reforms This Year?

As Kentucky policymakers make final decisions on tax relief this year, they should make the most of this opportunity to return excess tax collections in a manner that would also enhance the Bluegrass State’s prospects for long-term economic growth.

Windfall Profits Tax Wrong for American Energy

As oil prices skyrocket, a windfall profits tax targeted at oil company profits could punish domestic production and increase reliance on imports.

Russia’s Ukrainian War Could Impact EU Carbon Proposal Too

Given the uncertainty surrounding the war in Ukraine, future trade relations with Russia, and the overall CBAM revenue structure. The EU will need to adjust policy when challenges arise as it looks to increase its role in fiscal affairs through new own resources.

To Stimulate R&D Investment, Stop Penalizing it in the Tax Code

In his State of the Union Address, President Biden called for leveling the global research & development (R&D) playing field by increasing federal R&D spending, specifically by asking Congress to pass the bipartisan United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA).

Accounting for the Global Minimum Tax

Double taxation impacts the ability of companies to invest valuable things like improving their supply chains, developing new products, and hiring workers, and it can be fixed if the minimum tax uses a country’s own tax rate.

Post-Versailles Declaration: Tax Policy in the Future of European Energy Security

The unified EU signing of the “Versailles Declaration” is a historic break from the past. Russia’s war against Ukraine has made energy (and related tax policies) an even more urgent focus for the EU.

Iowa Enacts Sweeping Tax Reform

Even if 2022 sees many tax reforms, the scope of Iowa’s tax relief measures is likely to stand out. With the most recent reform package, Iowa lawmakers have made a significant investment in a more competitive tax climate for an increasingly competitive era.

Florida Gas Tax Holiday Has Negligible Benefits—But Other States Seem Ready to Follow

A gas tax holiday may be good politics, but it’s unlikely to achieve its aims. There are far better ways to provide tax relief—short- or long-term—than an inefficient gas tax suspension.

Tax Reform Framework Would Improve Nebraska’s Competitiveness

If Nebraska is to create a competitive environment and attract in-state investment, comprehensive tax modernization must be a priority.

Among Many Tax Hikes a Couple of Tax Reforms From Which Spain Could Actually Benefit

Georgia Income Tax Reform Would Improve Standing Among Neighbors, Country

In a time of increased mobility and tax competition, a lower rate and simpler tax structure would help Georgia stand out among states. Lawmakers would be wise to consider reforming the state’s income tax to improve the state’s competitiveness.

Missouri’s Tax Competitiveness

While Missouri has room for improvement, the state is making waves, positioning itself as an increasingly attractive location for business investment. And as ongoing reforms further enhance the competitiveness of the state’s tax code, more businesses will take notice.

A Regulatory Tax Hike on U.S. Multinationals

While much of the policy focus has been on proposals embedded in the Build Back Better agenda, a meaningful tax hike for multinational companies has already been adopted.

Federal Menthol Cigarette Ban May Cost Governments $6.6 Billion

The FDA’s expected announcement of a national ban on menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars with a characterizing flavor would carry significant revenue implications for both the federal government and state governments, with likely limited benefits in smoking cessation.

The Global Minimum Tax Changes the Game for Build Back Better Revenue

One goal for the Build Back Better Act has been to increase the amount of revenue the U.S. raises from U.S. companies at home or abroad. With the global minimum tax rules in play, it is likely that the expected gains to the U.S. Treasury from foreign profits of U.S. companies will diminish.

Rushing Headlong into Formulary Apportionment

Complex tax policies that work well “in theory” can often have a hard time when the rubber meets the road. One instance of this is the challenge that the OECD has created for itself with the global tax deal, also fondly known as Pillar 1 and Pillar 2.

Federal Gas Tax Holiday? Suspending the Gas Tax Is a Mistake

If policymakers are looking to change the tax code to help fight inflation, they should pump the brakes on the federal gas tax holiday and instead consider structural reforms to raise the economy’s productive capacity in the long term.