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Where Should the Money Come From?

The fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic will require policymakers to consider what revenue resources should be used to fill budget gaps. Tax policy experts have proposed wealth taxes, (global) corporate minimum taxes, excess profits taxes, and digital taxes as opportunities for governments to raise new revenues.

20 min read
Does my state tax social security benefits? States that tax social security benefits

Does Your State Tax Social Security Benefits?

The question, “Does my state tax Social Security benefits?” may be simple enough, but the answer includes a lot of nuance. Many states have unique and specific provisions regarding the taxation of Social Security benefits, which can be broken into a few broad categories.

3 min read
Learn more about the proposed Canada digital tax. Canada digital services tax

Higher Taxes Might Not Be the Solution for Canada and its Provinces

First, the introduction of the wealth tax would significantly impact international capital flows and cause large economic dislocations in the short term. Second, provinces that are looking at raising their corporate tax rates might hinder capital attraction, growth, and economic recovery.

4 min read
New evidence suggest tax rates influence migration decisions, some may move to a lower-tax area

Evidence Suggests that Tax Rates Influence Migration Decisions

Individuals respond to taxes by changing their behavior. Hence, when there are tax differences between countries, some might respond by moving to a lower-tax area. For higher-income individuals, the benefits of moving as a result of higher taxes are greater because they have more income or wealth at stake.

4 min read
real property taxes in Europe, European property tax rankings, property tax collections as a percent of the private capital stock in 2019

Real Property Taxes in Europe

High property taxes levied not only on land but also on buildings and structures can discourage investment because they disincentivise investing in infrastructure, which businesses would have to pay additional tax on. For this reason, it may also influence business location decisions away from places with high property tax.

3 min read
wealthy inequality, pensions and social security, new research from federal reserve bank of boston Massachusetts ban on flavored cigarettes, Massachusetts ban on flavored tobacco

Massachusetts Ban of Flavored Cigarettes Is Getting Expensive

Aside from public health concerns, a ban on flavored tobacco, especially when including cigarettes, has significant tax implications and could result in unintended consequences such as increased smuggling. In Massachusetts, more than 20 percent of cigarettes smoked are purchased out of state.

5 min read

Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act Would Provide More Generous Rebates for Dependents

On Thursday, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) released the Coronavirus Assistance for American Families Act (CAAF), which would provide payments of $1,000 to adults and children with Social Security numbers, subject to income limits used in the original round of rebates. Among other modifications, it would be more generous to households and families with children when compared to the original rebates distributed under the CARES Act.

5 min read
State Income Tax Revenue from Unemployment Compensation SMART Act, state and local aid, state tax revenue collections beat state revenue expectations in FY 2020 coronavirus pandemic

State Income and Sales Tax Revenues Slide in Second Quarter

Today marked the release of second-quarter GDP data and provides a new glimpse into early changes in state and local revenues and spending. All told, second-quarter state and local tax receipts came in about 3.8 percent lower than they did in the same quarter a year ago. Income and sales taxes fell considerably while property and excise tax collections remained stable.

3 min read
2020 state gas tax rates, 2020 state fuel excise taxes, 2020 state gas tax rates by state, 2020 gas taxes

State Gasoline Tax Rates as of July 2020

California pumps out the highest tax rate of 62.47 cents per gallon, followed by Pennsylvania (58.7 cpg), Illinois (52.01 cpg), and Washington (49.4 cpg).

2 min read
HEALS Act GOP Phase 4 Stimulus Package Republican Coronavirus Relief Bill options to raise tax revenue

Senate Republicans Introduce the HEALS Act for Coronavirus Pandemic Relief

A resurgence in coronavirus cases and receding economic activity in many states threaten the nascent economic recovery. To address the ongoing crisis, the Senate Republican Phase 4 proposal builds on the CARES Act provisions while modifying others, including a scaled down federal UI benefit.

8 min read