Skip to content

Federal Budget and Spending

All Related Articles

Deteriorating federal budget deficits highlight need to stabilize federal debt. See federal deficit taxes contextualized amid push to balance the budget

Deteriorating Federal Budget to Run $1.4 Trillion Deficit in 2023, CBO Projects

Immediately balancing the $20 trillion budget shortfall would take drastic, unwanted policy changes. Instead, lawmakers should target a more achievable goal, such as stabilizing debt and deficits with an eye toward comprehensive tax reform that can produce sufficient revenue with minimal economic harm.

4 min read
Do tax increases reduce inflation. See higher taxes inflation policies and cause for inflation amid looming recession

Prospects for Federal Tax and Budget Policy after the 2022 Midterms

Two weeks after the 2022 midterm elections, it’s becoming clearer where tax policy may be headed for the rest of the year and into 2023. In the short term, Congress must deal with tax extenders and expiring business tax provisions that may undermine the economy.

5 min read
state tax inflation response like state tax rebates and tax holidays to combat inflation Federal tax collections inflation surging 2022

Inflation Is Surging, So Are Federal Tax Collections

Federal tax collections are approaching the highest levels in U.S. history set during World War II and again during the dot-com bubble in 2000. Meanwhile, federal spending in FY 2022 was over 25 percent of GDP—a level only exceeded during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and during World War II.

4 min read
Real bracket creep and TCJA expirations won't keep pace with federal spending CBO long-term budget outlook federal deficit

3 Observations on the CBO Long-Term Budget Outlook

The latest CBO long-term budget outlook paints a troubling picture of fiscal irresponsibility. Rather than halt this rampant spending, Congress is actively adding programs that will exacerbate these long-term trends.

7 min read
Carbon Taxes and the Future of Tax Reform, See more on green tax and climate change tax reform proposals

Carbon Taxes and the Future of Green Tax Reform

Our new analysis reviews the basic structure of carbon taxes, how they compare to the existing set of climate policies, and how they could fit into various pro-growth tax reform packages.

26 min read
Biden budget tax proposals Biden budget child tax credit expansion American Rescue Plan American Families Plan Biden budget tax Treasury Green book revenue proposals

Biden’s Budget Battle

In a letter to lawmakers, the 46th President said that his $5.8 trillion budget package would “[grow] our economy, while ensuring that the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations begin to pay their fair share.” We break down what the President is proposing for this upcoming fiscal year and what its impact would be on the U.S. economy in the face of record-high inflation.

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Covid relief federal economic relief package, Biden stimulus $1,400 payments or stimulus checks COVID-19 tax resource center. coronavirus tax policy and the coronavirus (covid-19)

A Stimulating COVID-19 Discussion

New research shows that the United States had the second largest fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic globally. But did this magnitude of stimulus have the economic impact policymakers were hoping for?

House Republicans' American Families and Jobs Act includes the Build It in America Act and Tax Cuts for Working Families Act. Explore House GOP tax plan.

Federal Policy is Hard

Federal policy is hard. Federal health care policy during reconciliation while governing with razor-thin margins is really, really hard. We break down the debate on Capitol Hill over drug pricing and what the tradeoffs would be of having the federal government set prescription drug prices.

Deteriorating federal budget deficits highlight need to stabilize federal debt. See federal deficit taxes contextualized amid push to balance the budget

Taxing Decisions, 2021: Minisode 1

We discuss where the reconciliation package on Capitol Hill stands and talk through recent Tax Foundation modeling, which found that the plan may not have the economic boost its proponents have claimed.

Omnibus Federal Spending Deal: Retirement Savings Tax Treatment global minimum tax build back better revenue global minimum tax revenue and build back better act revenue potential domestic minimum tax

Wake Me Up when Reconciliation Ends

Reconciliation. One word that drives D.C. crazy, yet has been the way some of Congress’s most monumental bills have become law. We discuss why this complex budget process is back in the mix as Congress gears up to advance President Biden’s multi-trillion-dollar tax agenda.

2021 tax season, tax refunds, IRS extends tax filing deadline to May 17

Tackling the Tax Gap: What Can Be Achieved?

Learn about the tax gap, what it is, how the U.S. compares to other countries, and recent proposals aimed at closing it. We also explore how much revenue could actually be raised through increased tax enforcement, the current challenges the IRS faces, and how stronger enforcement could impact taxpayers at large.