Gas Taxes by State, 2025
California levies the highest tax on gasoline at 70.9 cents per gallon (cpg), followed by Illinois at 66.4 cpg and Washington at 59.0 cpg.
8 min read
All Related Articles
Fiscal Forum: Future of the EU Tax Mix with Dr. Irma Mosquera Valderrama
Sean Bray interviews Dr. Irma Mosquera Valderrama, Full Professor of Tax Governance at Leiden Law School (Leiden University) and EU Jean Monnet Chair Holder on EU Tax Governance about the EU tax mix.
24 min read
The Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on State Taxes, Explained
Congress may have passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), but state lawmakers now face big choices. Most states link their tax codes to the federal system, meaning OBBBA’s provisions—good and bad—are about to ripple across state budgets.
Tax Complexity Now Costs the US Economy over $536 Billion Annually
Americans will spend almost 7.1 billion hours complying with IRS tax filing and reporting requirements in 2025. This is equal to 3.4 million full-time workers—almost the population of Los Angeles and nearly 38 times the workforce the IRS employed in FY 2024—doing nothing but tax return paperwork for a full year.
9 min read
Taxpayers Need the BLS to Stay Out of Politics
President Trump’s recent decision to replace the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has the feeling of replacing the meteorologist and hoping you get better weather. But economic data affect government actions and could have surprising consequences. If nominee E.J. Antoni manipulates the statistics to make Mr. Trump look good, you could end up paying higher taxes.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Creates Unequal Tax Treatment for Gambling Losses
In a surprising tax code alteration that has frustrated Americans who enjoy gambling, a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act limits gambling losses that can be used to offset gambling winnings to 90 percent of their value. This provision introduces a steep tax penalty for professional gamblers and certain casual bettors.
5 min read
Electric Vehicle Taxes by State, 2025
As the market share of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road grows, the gas tax’s ability to fund road projects and decrease traffic congestion erodes. Both federal and state real tax revenue per vehicle mile traveled has been on a steady decline for decades, creating a fiscal gap for road expenditures even as the demand for road infrastructure improvements has grown.
5 min read
Historical US Federal Individual Income Tax Rates & Brackets, 1862-2025
How do current federal individual income tax rates and brackets compare historically?
1 min read
Historical US Federal Capital Gains Tax Rates & Collections, 1913-2025
How have US federal capital gains tax rates and collections changed over time?
1 min read
Trump Tariffs Explained: Grocery Prices and Rebate Checks
Trump’s 2025 tariffs will hit nearly three-quarters of US food imports, raising prices on products that are often difficult or impossible to produce domestically. Senator Hawley has proposed a rebate program to return some of the revenue to households—but would it actually help?
Are Tobacco Taxes Still a Reliable Source of Revenue?
Even if tobacco tax increases generate more revenue in the short run, the shrinking tax base guarantees long-run revenue declines.
7 min read
Tax-Free Weekends: When Popular Policy Meets Poor Economics
They’re popular, highly visible, and marketed as tax relief—but research shows sales tax holidays are inefficient, create compliance headaches, and often miss the mark for the taxpayers they’re meant to help.
Cigarette Taxes and Cigarette Smuggling by State, 2023
Growing cigarette tax levels and differentials have made cigarette smuggling both a national problem and a lucrative criminal enterprise.
6 min read
Tax Literacy Belongs in Every Classroom
Though high schools will continue to teach the next generation about civics, English, and math, one critical topic remains missing from many classrooms: taxes.
The Best Way to Provide Relief Is to Repeal Tariffs, Not Offer Tariff Rebate Checks
As US businesses and consumers face higher costs of goods due to the Trump tariffs, Senator Hawley (R-MO) has introduced legislation to rebate tariff revenue to provide financial relief. The proposal takes a similar approach to the stimulus checks issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
4 min read
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Changes Green Energy Tax Credits
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly alters the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) green energy subsidies.
6 min read
State Tax Implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
For Congress, work on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is done. But in state capitols, the work has not yet begun. Many of the tax changes in the federal reconciliation act flow through to state tax codes—automatically in some states, and subject to an update in states’ Internal Revenue Code conformity date in others.
39 min read
Michigan’s Tax Gamble Could Risk Its Competitive Edge
Michigan voters may soon consider a dramatic change to the state’s income tax.
Will Trump Accounts Actually Help Families Save?
Who are Trump Accounts really for, and will they actually help families save? With yet another savings vehicle added to an already confusing system, do these accounts solve a real problem—or just add more complexity?
FAQ: The One Big Beautiful Bill, Explained
Our experts explain how this major tax legislation may affect you and how policymakers can better improve the tax code.
24 min read