Blog Articles
Biden’s Plan to Boost Research and Development Should Include Cancellation of Upcoming R&D Amortization
As concern over American competitiveness and onshoring of innovative activity increases, presidential candidates and policymakers should keep in mind the tax increases scheduled to take effect in the coming years, including the amortization of R&D and phaseout of the broader expensing provisions.
3 min readDigital Taxes, Meet Handbag Tariffs
The USTR announced new tariffs in response to the French digital services tax of 25% on $1.3 billion worth of goods. The tariffs would apply to several make-up products, handbags, and assorted soaps.
1 min readNon-Profit Files Lawsuit over Withholding Requirements in Ohio
As work increasingly takes place in home offices, states will have to grapple with the revenue implications, and may find it necessary to adopt policies to better compete with outlying areas. Taxing people in places in which they no longer work, however, will not be the solution.
3 min readImproved Cost Recovery Is A Wide-Ranging Policy Solution
Rather than limit improvements to certain sectors, lawmakers could pursue a broader policy of full expensing for all capital investment and neutral cost recovery for structures and clear the tax policy hurdles that currently stand in the way of private investment.
3 min readPeruvian “Solidarity Tax” Unlikely to Offset Deficit Spending
While it is important that Peru find ways to offset its deficit spending, a temporary wealth tax may introduce more problems than it solves.
5 min readFAQ on Neutral Cost Recovery and Expensing
Cost recovery is the way the tax code permits firms to recover (or deduct) the cost of making investments. Cost recovery plays an important role in defining a business’ taxable income and can impact investment decisions.
Phase 4 Is not the Time to Experiment with Temporary Credits
As lawmakers consider returning to the tax code as a tool to revive a struggling economy with high unemployment and an unpredictable virus, they should avoid temporary changes that can be distortive in the short term and inefficient in the long term.
4 min readNational Taxpayer Advocate’s Report Is a Road Map to Simpler Pandemic Relief Provisions
The size and scope of the tax changes within the CARES Act created significant administrative challenges for the IRS. Lawmakers should prioritize simplicity in the next round of relief.
3 min readDecades in Corporate Taxation
Corporate taxation has evolved significantly, with rates coming down significantly over the last several decades. Countries have redesigned their tax bases by changing the treatment of losses, interest, and capital costs. A recent OECD report highlights the general stabilization of corporate tax revenues and statutory rates alongside major changes to address profit-shifting opportunities.
4 min readTax Policy Proposals for the German EU Presidency
While much of Germany’s EU presidency agenda is focused on policies to ensure economic stability and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a pair of tax proposals that the country is planning to develop and move forward at the EU level: a financial transaction tax and a minimum effective tax.
5 min readDigital Tax Deadlock: Where Do We Go from Here?
We recently hosted an exclusive webinar discussion to get up to speed on recent digital tax developments and gain insight from leading international tax experts on the OECD’s BEPS project.
9 min readDid 1986 Tax Reform Hurt Affordable Housing?
Improving cost recovery for residential structures, while not a silver bullet for solving the housing crisis, would on the margin encourage more construction that would help push rents down across the board.
4 min readIowa Decouples from 163(j) and GILTI, Clarifies Non-Taxation of PPP Loans
Iowa’s HF 2614, which passed both chambers of the legislature and now waits for the governor’s signature, makes several changes to the state’s tax code, which, although they will affect revenue, will encourage economic growth and make the state’s tax code more competitive.
4 min readMontana Voters Will Decide on Recreational Marijuana
Montana could vote to legalize and tax recreational marijuana in November, bringing in an estimated $39 million by 2025, but would the move help with short-term budget issues?
4 min readGAO Report Reveals Need to Simplify Next Round of Rebates
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that almost a half-million taxpayers missed their total rebate payment due to complications over disbursing funds to non-filers with eligible dependents. Administrability is just as important as rebate design and simplicity is just as important as speed.
3 min readImproving the Tax Treatment of Residential Buildings Will Stretch Affordable Housing Assistance Dollars Further
By updating the tax code to allow developers to more fully cover their investments, construction costs will fall, which, in turn, means that federal affordable housing assistance dollars will go that much further in helping low-income tenants.
3 min readEuropean Countries Might Consider Scrapping the Bank Tax for Greater Financial Support
In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, some governments are seeking to cut bank taxes to enhance financial support to businesses and public investment projects.
2 min readThree Reasons Expanding Credits Aren’t the Best Pandemic Response for the Vulnerable
While reforming certain tax credits may make sense, there are far better ways to provide individuals and families with more liquidity during this crisis.
6 min read