
Jared Walczak is Vice President of State Projects at the Tax Foundation. He is the lead researcher on the annual State Business Tax Climate Index and Location Matters, and has authored or coauthored tax reform guides on Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Jared’s work is regularly cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Politico, AP, and many other prominent national and state outlets.
He previously served as legislative director to a member of the Senate of Virginia and as policy director for a statewide campaign, and consulted on research and policy development for a number of candidates and elected officials. In his free time, Jared enjoys hiking and has a goal of visiting all 63 national parks.
Latest Work


Pass-Through Deduction Won’t Flow Through to Most States
For policymakers in most states, the fact that the pass-through deduction doesn’t affect AGI should come as a relief. For those in the six states which use federal taxable income as their starting point for conformity, decoupling from the provision is an entirely viable option.
2 min read

Trends in State Tax Policy, 2018
In 2018, trends to watch in state tax policy will include reductions in corporate tax rates, the spread of gross receipts taxes, new and lower taxes on marijuana, estate tax repeal, a wait-and-see approach on federal tax reform, and more.
16 min read

High-Tax States are Inconsistent on the State and Local Tax Deduction
If the state and local tax deduction is necessary to prevent double taxation, why don’t states offer a deduction for federal and local taxes?
2 min read
Important Differences Between the House and Senate Tax Reform Bills Heading into Conference
The House and Senate have both passed legislation that would overhaul the federal tax code. Learn about the key differences between the two bills.
7 min read
Key Changes in Senate Tax Reform Bill Heading into the Vote-a-Rama
A brief summary of the most notable provisions of the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the form in which it enters the “vote-a-rama.”
3 min read
Who Gets a Tax Cut Under the Amended Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?
Here’s how the individual income tax provisions of the amended Senate’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would impact individuals and families across the income spectrum.
5 min read
Are Pass-Through Businesses Treated Fairly Under the Senate Version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?
A more careful look shows that the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doesn’t put pass-through businesses at a disadvantage compared to C corporations.
4 min read
Who Gets a Tax Cut Under the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act?
Here’s how the individual income tax provisions of the Senate’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would impact individuals and families across the income spectrum.
5 min read
Eight Important Changes in the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes hundreds of structural reforms to the tax code. Here is a guide to the eight most important changes.
5 min read
Important Differences Between House and Senate Versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
This list, though not exhaustive, catalogues the major differences between the House and Senate version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
4 min read
Details of the Senate Version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act shares many things with its House counterpart, but also differs on several particulars. This guide consolidates all of the details of the Senate plan in one convenient location.
3 min read
Benefits of the House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for the Lower-Middle Class
According to the Taxes and Growth model, the House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act should increase after-tax income by 4.5 percent for those in the second-lowest quintile, and by 4.6 percent for those in the middle quintile.
3 min read
How the State and Local Tax Deduction Interacts with the AMT and Pease Limitation
The way the state and local tax deduction, alternative minimum tax, and Pease limitation interact is complex. This primer makes things easier to understand.
5 min read
House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Would Substantially Improve the U.S.’s International Tax Competitiveness
Considered as a whole, this plan would make the U.S. substantially more competitive, not only due to lower rates but also due to a better tax structure.
2 min read
Eight Important Changes in the House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The widely anticipated House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act includes hundreds of structural changes to the tax code. Here are the eight most important provisions in no particular order.
6 min read
Details of the House Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The House Tax Cuts and Jobs act would fundamentally reform the U.S. tax code for the first time in over 30 years. Here are all the important details.
4 min read
2017 International Tax Competitiveness Index
Hampered by high marginal tax rates and complex business tax rules, the United States again ranks towards the bottom of the pack on our 2017 International Tax Competitiveness Index, placing 30 out of 35 OECD countries.
11 min read