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Talking Tax Reform: Taxes and the Gig Economy

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of technology platforms that enable workers to directly connect with customers for services ranging from ride sharing to food delivery and short-term rentals. 

The rise of “new economy” firms has led tax authorities, scholars, and policymakers to consider how these services should be treated in the tax code. 

Workers in the gig economy face challenges when complying with the federal tax code, including issues related to tax reporting and proper withholding and payment of tax liability. Similarly, gig economy platforms are determining their proper role in tax compliance, reporting, and withholding. 

In this event, panelists will discuss how the federal tax code can be improved to encourage greater tax compliance, simplify the tax experience for workers, and ensure predictability in the U.S. tax code for gig economy firms. 

Garrett Watson, Special Projects Manager at the Tax Foundation, will moderate the panel, which will include: 

  • Andrew Phillips, Director, Tax Institute at H&R Block 
  • Caroline Bruckner, Professorial Lecturer, Accounting and Taxation and Managing Director, Kogod Tax Policy Center at Kogod School of Business at American University
  • Shelly Steward, Research Manager, Future of Work Initiative, The Aspen Institute