Principled Research.
Insightful Analysis.
Engaged Experts.
Intern at one of the most effective policy think tanks in the nation.
Gain experience from a talented and dynamic team passionate about working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to improve lives through smarter tax policy.
About Our Internship Program
At the Tax Foundation, our interns work on substantive projects that have a real impact on national and state tax reform debates. Our program not only introduces you to the principles of sound tax policy, but teaches you how to apply them in advancing public policy.
Working directly with our staff, you will gain first-hand experience working on state policy, federal policy, tax law, marketing, or development. You will also hear from expert speakers on a variety of related topics and be afforded the opportunity to attend special events, lectures, and seminars around Washington, D.C.
The Tax Foundation is happy to work with outside fellowship programs to host interns, and to assist in arranging for school credit. Full-time interns receive a stipend of $1,100.00 per half-month; part-time interns receive a pro-rated share of that stipend. Internships are located at our office in downtown Washington, D.C.
We are committed to responding to completed applications within 2 weeks of deadlines.
Internship Tracks
Federal Tax Policy
Federal Policy interns work with Tax Foundation economists to prepare, model, and write analysis on proposals from federal policymakers.
State Tax Policy
State Policy interns track major state fiscal issues, research trends, and conduct policy analysis, supporting our efforts to report and comment on current state tax topics.
Tax Law
Legal interns assist with research and analysis for our Center for Legal Reform, which cultivates, explains, and advocates for tax legal reform.
Marketing and Communications
Marketing interns help with all aspects of outreach including media relations, social media, email marketing, website optimization, and more.
Development
Development interns help support fundraising efforts through innovative print and digital campaigns and targeted networking events.
Past Intern Projects
Our internship program is a chance for you to show off your skills and build a portfolio. We will rely on you to complete real projects that are central to our mission. You can see some examples of past intern work below.
- Amir El-Sibaie (Summer 2016): Amir helped take our Taxes & Growth (TAG) economic model to the next level by converting major parts of it into Python.
- Emily Potosky (Summer 2016): In addition to being a regular blog contributor, Emily helped program a database in R of international corporate tax rates.
- Erica (Wilt) York (Summer 2016): Erica co-authored an important report detailing the problems states with gross receipts taxes have experienced in recent years. We still refer to the report regularly when educating stakeholders on the downsides of gross receipts taxes.
- Morgan Scarboro (Summer 2015): Morgan helped author a groundbreaking study on marijuana taxation across the country. This study has been cited over a thousand times in outlets such as CNN, Fox News, New York Post, The Denver Post, The Seattle Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.
- Samantha Jordan (Summer 2015): Sam was integral in conducting research for the 2015 edition of our International Tax Competitiveness Index.
- Erik Cederwall (Fall 2014): Erik created and conducted an interview series on profit shifting with 20 of the top academics and practitioners in the world of tax policy and wrote over a dozen blog posts on U.S. and international taxes.
- Liz Emanuel (Summer 2014): Liz authored 13 blog posts and coauthored a major report on state and local taxes.
- Tyler Dennis (Summer 2014): Tyler authored 10 blog posts on topics ranging from carbon taxes in Australia to marijuana taxes in Colorado.
- Colby Pastre (Fall 2013): Colby helped develop the communications department year-end report, including a re-design to reflect our strategy and branding efforts. He drafted four press releases for major policy reports, managed our massive media hit database, and designed multiple infographics and charts used in reports and blogs.
- Elia Peterson (Fall 2013): Elia authored eight blog posts on tax policy at the federal, state, and local level, and contributed to a forthcoming major report on the federal alternative minimum tax. Elia was quoted in USA Today for his work on the Massachusetts “tech tax.”
How to Apply
Tax Foundation internships are available each fall, spring, and summer, and applications are considered on a rolling basis, with preference given to earlier applications (see application deadlines at the top of this page).
To apply, click the program you're interested in from the nearby list and complete the relevant application. We are committed to responding to completed applications within two weeks of application deadlines.
If you have any questions, contact Shannon Salzman at salzman@taxfoundation.org.