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Evaluating U.S. Tax Reform Options & Trade-Offs

The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic poses a triple challenge for tax policy in the United States. Lawmakers are tasked with crafting a policy response that will accelerate the economic recovery, reduce the mounting deficit, and protect the most vulnerable.

To assist lawmakers in navigating the challenge, and to help the American public understand the tax changes being proposed, the Tax Foundation’s Center for Federal Tax Policy modeled how 70 potential changes to the tax code would affect the U.S. economy, distribution of the tax burden, and federal revenue.

In tax policy there is an ever-present trade-off among how much revenue a tax will raise, who bears the burden of a tax, and what impact a tax will have on economic growth. Armed with the information in our new book, Options for Reforming America’s Tax Code 2.0, policymakers can debate the relative merits and trade-offs of each option to improve the tax code in a post-pandemic world.

 

Inflation Reduction Act IRA repeal and reforms

Will the OBBBA Tax Cuts Grow the US Economy?

Over the long run, OBBBA’s permanent extension of lower marginal tax rates on work, saving, and investment lays a solid foundation for stronger economic growth.

6 min read
Federal tobacco tax proposal state taxes Build Back Better Act Biden American Families Plan proposal to tax unrealized capital gains at death, taxing unrealized gains death proposal, capital gains at death policies tax refund tax refunds tax cut 2018 tax season tax filing

Tax Refunds and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

When taxpayers file their 2025 tax returns in 2026, many will see larger refunds than in recent years. That’s due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which reduced individual income taxes for 2025 by an estimated $129 billion.

4 min read
Tax systems of Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Sweden, Norway

How Scandinavian Countries Pay for Their Government Spending

Scandinavian countries are well known for their broad social safety nets and their public funding of services such as universal health care, higher education, parental leave, and child and elderly care. High levels of government spending naturally require high levels of taxation. So, how do these countries raise their tax revenues?

7 min read
European tax trends, EU tax reform

Tax Trends in European Countries

As European countries have undertaken a series of tax reforms designed for budgetary stability, policymakers should focus on consumption taxes by making them more neutral and efficient.

15 min read
alcohol spirits

How Fixed-Rate Excise Taxes Can Produce Unintended Harm

Fixed-rate excise taxes are often adopted to reduce harm, curb excessive consumption, or discourage dangerous behaviors. However, without attention to how consumers substitute between products, well‑meaning policies may exacerbate the very harm they aim to prevent.

5 min read
Chicago Bears relocation Illinois to Indiana, Sports Stadium Public Funding

Chicago Bears Threaten Relocation over Illinois Taxes

The Chicago Bears are threatening to relocate from Illinois to Indiana as they negotiate over taxes and public financing. Illinois’ uncompetitive and burdensome tax environment makes it difficult for the NFL team to operate.

4 min read
Best Global Tax Ranking Improvements | 2025 International Tax Competitiveness Index

Movers and Shakers in the International Tax Competitiveness Index

For the past 12 years, the International Tax Competitiveness Index has examined which countries have truly embraced tax competitiveness and which ones have lagged behind. Our experts examine how country rankings have changed over time and identify the largest movers and shakers.

5 min read