Though Tax Hikes Will Be Avoided, the House Bill Misses the Bigger Picture
The tax bill prioritizes politics over economic growth, writes Daniel Bunn.
Our commentary is featured in top news outlets throughout the US and Europe, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNN, and Le Monde.
Featured Op-eds
The Pro-Growth Minority Must Continue to Stand Up
The Republican party, led by President Trump, has decided that growth is no longer a priority. This is evident in the president’s trade war, the minimal opposition among Republican members of Congress, and the seemingly endless supply of bad policy ideas that will do little to support growth.
The Tax Code Should Not Be a Game of Hide-and-Seek
Lawmakers should push against efforts to lift the SALT cap, and they should keep an eye toward bringing additional transparency to the tax system.
States, Congress Need to Hop Off the ‘No Tax on Tips’ Bandwagon
Political popularity isn’t always a reliable gauge of sound policy—and that’s certainly true of President Donald Trump’s idea to eliminate taxes on tips, bonuses, and overtime pay.
White House Cites Tariff Reports That Undermine Its Own Claims
Attempting to defend Trump’s tariffs, the White House points to studies that show they raise prices, cut manufacturing output, and lead to costly retaliation.
Trump Tariffs 101: A Tax on Americans That Raises Prices and Lowers Incomes
The U.S. Constitution grants authority to Congress to “lay and collect” duties and to “regulate commerce with foreign nations.” But Congress has delegated its powers to set tariffs and negotiate trade to the president. For decades, the executive branch has used those powers to reduce barriers to trade and, sometimes, to impose tariffs in limited fashion.
Congress Must Cement Full R&D Tax Expensing for Economic Growth
Compromising on the timing and availability of expensing—or offsetting the revenue losses by worsening other parts of the tax code—would squander an opportunity to craft a fiscally responsible, pro-growth tax reform.
New Poll Shows Americans Think Tax Code Is Too Complex. This Year’s Tax Debate Should Fix That.
According to a new poll from the Tax Foundation and Public Policy Polling, more than half of taxpayers lack basic tax literacy, regardless of educational attainment, income level, or political affiliation.
Before Repealing the Property Tax, Look Under the Hood
If voters are being asked to charge state legislators with raising the equivalent of a doubling of the current income and sales tax, shouldn’t they get to know what the plan is first?
All Op-eds
97 Results
A Taxing Approach to High Energy Costs Will Backfire
If you want more energy production, taxing producers is the wrong place to start. And if you want to tax companies more if they’re making big profits, the corporate income tax already does that.
Illinois’ Alcohol Tax Is Almost As Old as America. It Needs Reform.
As the alcohol industry innovates with newer products like high alcohol content beer or ready-to-drink cocktails, the efficacy of a categorical system continues to break down.
USMCA Is Up For Review. The US Would Be Foolish Not to Extend It
President Donald Trump has decided against a clean extension of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), allowing the bloc of countries to enter a prolonged period of annual reviews, renegotiations, and, possibly, a shift to bilateral deals.
Floridians Should Think Twice Before Embracing Property Tax Elimination
Voters beware: lower property taxes may sound good, but they come with significant trade-offs.
What Europe’s UN Tax Turn Means for Multinationals
Europe’s turn toward the UN is ultimately not a sign that governments are ready to resolve fundamental disputes over taxing rights. If anything, international cooperation on the goal that matters most—fair treatment of cross-border trade—is crumbling.
Will the AI Apocalypse Come for the Tax Code?
AI may be a transformative technology, but that is not a good justification for throwing core principles of tax policy out the window.
The Risks the Wealth Tax Advocates Are Ignoring
Voters in California this fall will have to determine whether the state will institute a billionaire tax. Advocates of this proposal have been pushing for these kinds of money grabs for decades—and their arguments often run the same. The base is narrow, the lifespan is limited, the cause is sympathetic.
Without Reform, the EU Cannot Afford New Taxes
Currently, the European Commission has plans to generate more tax revenue to fund the forthcoming MFF, the long-term budget running from 2028 to 2034. But the truth is, without serious reform, the EU isn’t ready for new taxation.
The Abandoned Goal of Revenue Neutrality
Revenue-neutral proposals, like many things in politics, have become a relic of the past.
No, Tariffs Are Not Strengthening the Economy
Testifying to Congress, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer argued that “President Trump’s trade policy is working.” The data present a different picture: President Trump’s trade agenda is actually holding back the economy.
The State Race for Wealth Taxes Will Fail. Just Ask Europe.
These debates are often framed in terms of fairness. Raise taxes on a few to provide benefits for most, the thinking goes. But in policy, the more important question should focus on mechanics: will this change achieve its stated goal?
Hochul’s Pied-à-Terre Tax: One More Bad Option to Close NYC Budget Gap
New York City’s proposed “pied-à-terre” tax surcharge on second homes valued at over $5 million would impose higher costs for residents, reduce investment, and dim economic prospects.
Tax Refunds Are Higher. That’s Only a Fraction of the Story.
For many, the OBBBA made tax filing easier and put more money back into their pockets. But it didn’t improve the grade for overall tax complexity for the US. It may actually make the situation worse.
Corporate Tax Payments Will Fall This Year. Here’s Why That’s Good News.
Smaller corporate tax bills after the OBBBA are not evidence of new giveaways or loopholes. They are evidence the tax code is finally treating investment the way it should.
Gas Tax Holidays Sound Politically Tempting. Too Bad They Don’t Work.
Gas tax prices are soaring across the country, and lawmakers are naturally looking for ways to alleviate the pain at the pump. While gas tax holidays—which temporarily suspend fuel taxes to artificially lower the price of gas—are a politically welcomed intervention, taxpayers shouldn’t be so quick to celebrate.
In 2026, Both Parties Are Dodging the Truth on Taxes
As the policy debate for the next presidential election begins to take shape, both sides need to be honest about their plans for addressing the actual challenges our country faces.
This Tax Season, Ask Where Your Money Is Going
By 2036, more than one out of every four dollars raised in total government revenue will go to pay interest on the debt.
Congress Has 150 Days To Prove It Still Holds the Power of the Purse. Will It?
Unlike the IEEPA tariffs, which were stopped by the Supreme Court, the new Sec. 122 tariffs require congressional authorization after 150 days.
Side-by-Side Implementation Is a Good Start, but It’s Just the Beginning
The side-by-side agreement is an important step in trans-Atlantic economic relations, however, there is more work to be done—on both sides of the Atlantic. If there’s a downside to the side-by-side agreement, it’s the risk of locking in mediocre tax policy choices for the long run.
Online Sports Betting Could Be Lucrative for Alaska if New Legislation Gets the Taxes Right
Alaskan lawmakers are actively debating this session whether they should open their digital borders to the online sports betting market. If legalization is a step Alaska decides to take, the right tax mix could result in notable fiscal advantages for the state.