The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
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2025: The Year in Tax Policy
December 23, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
From Congressional discussions over the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to debates on property taxes, ITEP kept busy this year analyzing tax proposals and showing Americans across the country how tax decisions affect them.
‘Tax the Rich,’ Says … Mitt Romney?
December 22, 2025 • By Matthew Gardner
His 900-word New York Times op-ed identifies some sensible federal tax reform ideas that would create a fairer, more sustainable tax system.
States Can Create or Expand Refundable Credits by Taxing Wealth, Addressing Federal Conformity
December 19, 2025 • By Zachary Sarver
Many states already recognize the potential of these credits to boost low- and moderate-income households. Other states should follow suit.
Texas Property Tax Plan Mimics California’s Damaging Prop 13
December 19, 2025 • By Neva Butkus, Rita Jefferson
This proposal would disrupt the state’s housing market and jeopardize local revenues while doing very little to help workers and families struggling to pay their property tax bills – just as Prop 13 did in California.
State Rundown 12/17: Tax Policy ‘Naughty or Nice’ List Has Late Entrants
December 17, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
With a little over a week left, some states are solidifying their spots on the tax policy “naughty or nice” list.
ITEP in the News
Indiana Capitol Chronicle: Indiana Lawmakers To Weigh Joining Trump’s Tax Cuts
Associated Press: States Faces a Choice on Whether To Embrace Trump’s Tax Cuts on Tips, Overtime and More
The New York Times: Businesses Are Cashing In on Trump’s Tax Cuts
The Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott Wants a Tighter Lid on Home Values. Tax Policy Experts Warn That’s a Bad Idea
ProPublica: Wave of Tax Cuts Has Left Many States Vulnerable to Trump SNAP and Medicaid Crisis
ITEP Work in Action
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Tax Conformity Decisions Will Shape Maine’s Future (Part 1: Maine Shouldn’t Fall for Policy Gimmicks)
Every Texan: Highest Tax Rates in the State Fall on Texans of Color
DC Fiscal Policy Institute: DC Tax Credits for Households with Low Incomes Will Reduce Child Poverty by One-Fifth
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: A State Budget for an Affordable Kentucky: Preview of the 2026–2028 Budget of the Commonwealth
The Milbank Quarterly: The 2021 Child Tax Credit and Children's Health and Well-Being: Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study
Across the States
On the Map
State Rundown 12/10: 'Tis the Season to Reclaim Lost Revenue
property tax debates are taking place throughout the nation.
Taxes on Adult-Use Cannabis in Each State
Twenty-three states have legalized the sale of cannabis for general adult use. Every state allowing legal sales applies an excise tax to cannabis based on…
When Did Your State Enact a Child Tax Credit?
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is an important tool to fight child poverty and help families make ends meet. When designed well, it can also…
State & Local Tax Policy
2025: The Year in Tax Policy
December 23, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
States Can Create or Expand Refundable Credits by Taxing Wealth, Addressing Federal Conformity
December 19, 2025 • By Zachary Sarver
Texas Property Tax Plan Mimics California’s Damaging Prop 13
December 19, 2025 • By Neva Butkus, Rita Jefferson
State Rundown 12/17: Tax Policy ‘Naughty or Nice’ List Has Late Entrants
December 17, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
No, Scott Bessent: States Aren’t Taking Away Anyone’s Tax Cuts
December 11, 2025 • By Nick Johnson
Linking to Tipped and Overtime Income Deductions Would Worsen State Shortfalls, Do Little to Help Workers
December 8, 2025 • By Galen Hendricks, Neva Butkus
Not-So-Free Kick: How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Cost Cities Millions
December 5, 2025 • By Page Gray
Conforming to the ‘No Tax on Tips’ Gimmick Just Got Riskier and Costlier for States
November 25, 2025 • By Nick Johnson
The ITEP Guide to State & Local Taxes
The ITEP Guide to State & Local Taxes offers citizens, advocates, journalists, and policymakers a detailed primer on state and local tax policy. Learn more about the three main sources of revenue (income, property, and sales) and the major principles that shape tax codes and discussions.
Tax Principles
Income & Profits
Property & Wealth
Sales & Use
Other Revenues
Expert's View
Carl Davis
Research Director
The Geographic Distribution of Extreme Wealth in the U.S.
Excessive concentration of wealth runs counter to our national aspiration for genuine equality of opportunity, and it saps the vitality of our democracy through the consolidation of power and influence. Tax policy offers a powerful means of beginning to address our nation’s stark level of inequality, but current law is clearly falling short of its potential.
– Carl Davis
Research Director
Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy Director
Washington Post: Trump’s tax law includes a $40,000 SALT cap. Here’s who qualifies.
SALT cap or no SALT cap, the mega bill overall is a bonanza for the rich in every state.
– Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy Director
Kamolika Das
Local Policy Director
USA Today: Would Mamdani’s ‘Millionaire Tax’ Chase the Rich Out of New York City?
Tax policies just really don’t drive relocation decisions, they’ve been claiming this for a long time, and there’s just very scant evidence to support it.
– Kamolika Das
Local Policy Director
Miles Trinidad
State Analyst
CT Mirror: Sales tax holidays under fire as CT launches its promotion
A two- to three-day sales-tax-free shopping spree for selected items does nothing to reduce taxes for low- and moderate-income taxpayers during the other 362 days of the year.
– Miles Trinidad
State Analyst
Institute on Taxation
and Economic Policy
ITEP is a non-profit, non-partisan tax policy organization. We conduct rigorous analyses of tax and economic proposals and provide data-driven recommendations to shape equitable and sustainable tax systems.
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