Business Taxes

Public and Private R&D Are Complements, Not Substitutes

U.S.-China Trade War Hurt American Industries and Workers

While the U.S. tariffs were intended to protect American industries, they have largely hurt the U.S. economy. Rather than pass on the tariffs to Chinese consumers, analysis shows that most U.S. firms simply bore the costs.

Evaluating Wyoming’s Business Tax Competitiveness

Wyoming’s low taxes are highly attractive, but policymakers are still hard at work helping the state achieve broader economic development goals.

Comparing the Corporate Tax Systems in the United States and China

Federal policymakers are debating a legislative package focused on boosting U.S. competitiveness vis-a-vis China; however, it currently contains little to no improvements to the U.S. tax code.

FDA Menthol Ban Would Boost Smuggling, Reduce Revenues, with Few Health Benefits

Learn more about the FDA’s proposal to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Including its effect on revenue & public health measures.

States’ Taxes Go Flat

In more than 100 years of state income taxes, only four states have ever moved from a graduated-rate income tax to a flat tax. Another four may adopt flat tax legislation just this year. We discuss what flat taxes are, what they mean for taxpayers, and why so many states are making a push for them this year.

Tax Filing Season: Options for Improvement

Efforts to improve the taxpayer experience should focus on the IRS’s operations and include structural improvements to the tax code.

Ranking Unemployment Insurance Taxes on Our 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index

Ranking unemployment insurance tax codes on the 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index. Learn more about state unemployment insurance tax code and systems.

Capital Cost Recovery across the OECD, 2022

The ongoing economic uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and current inflationary pressures have highlighted the importance of investment.

Remembering Senator Orrin Hatch’s Historic Tax Legacy

Among the many achievements in the illustrious career of former Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) was his commitment to bipartisan tax reform.

The Misguided Notion of Government-Set Prices for Prescription Drugs

Government-set pricing of prescription drugs is not a fix for today’s rampant inflation and further, it would give rise to new problems of its own.

Missouri Tax Reform Could Give State Competitive Edge

Tax reform has become a major focus for state legislatures this session, and Missouri lawmakers are tuned in to the action: after adjusting individual income tax triggers in 2021, the legislature is exploring further tax reform options.

Wealth Taxes in Europe, 2022

Only three European OECD countries levy a net wealth tax, namely Norway, Spain, and Switzerland.

Chaotic IRS Filing Season Shows the Perils of Running Social Policy Through the Tax Code

As the deadline for tax filing nears, the IRS faces scrutiny for its backlog of returns, inaccessible taxpayer service, and delays in issuing certain refunds.

History of Taxes

Learn where and when taxes originated and how they resemble taxes we have today. Understand how the American tax code developed from the beginning of the colonies. Learn about some of the weirder taxes throughout history, designed not just to raise revenue, but influence behavior too.

Lesson Plan: Not All Taxes Are Created Equal

In this lesson plan, students will discover why there are better and worse ways for governments to raise a dollar of revenue. Students will compare the economic impact of the three basic tax types—taxes on what you earn, buy, and own—including three specific taxes within each category, and learn about the basics of “dynamic scoring.”

Federal Corporate Tax Revenue and All Federal Tax Collections Headed for Another Record High

Total tax collections are currently running 25 percent higher than last year, and if that pattern holds, total federal tax collections will reach over $5 trillion in FY 2022—a new all-time high.

Personal Income Tax Adjusts for Inflation, But It Could Do Better

In times of inflation, a review of the tax code shows that some provisions are automatically indexed, or adjusted, to match inflation, while others are not. And that creates unfair burdens for taxpayers. But it’s not always as simple as just “adjusting for inflation.”

President Biden’s 61 Percent Tax on Wealth

As part of President Biden’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023, the White House has once again endorsed a major tax increase on accumulated wealth, adding up to a 61 percent tax on wealth of high-earning taxpayers.

Throwback and Throwout Rules by State, 2022

While throwback and throwout rules in states’ corporate tax codes may not be widely understood, they have a notable impact on business location and investment decisions and reduce economic efficiency.