Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Sarah Austin

Senior Analyst

Sarah Austin

Sarah is a Senior Analyst at ITEP. She focuses her research on progressive revenue-raising options for states. Before joining ITEP in 2025, Sarah served as senior policy advisor to the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. Prior to that, she served as the research and policy director at the Maine Center for Economic Policy where she focused her research on state budget advocacy, refundable tax credits, and progressive tax policies to improve revenue adequacy and fairness.

Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree from Unity College and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin.

 sarah at itep.org

Recent Publications

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The Changing Landscape of State Tax Rates

July 21, 2026 • By Sarah Austin

Many states have repeatedly cut top personal and corporate income tax rates in recent years, sometimes while approving increased sales tax rates to push tax systems in a more regressive direction. Other states, however, have charted a very different course and have moved to increase taxes on higher income households…

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Trust Reform is Needed to Protect States, Especially in the Wake of IRS Enforcement Cuts

February 3, 2026 • By Sarah Austin

Trust use is widespread among the wealthiest households, with reports showing that roughly half of the nation’s wealthiest people rely on trusts for tax avoidance reasons

More Publications by Sarah Austin

Recent Media Mentions

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USA TODAY: States are relying more on sales taxes. Here's why that matters

July 30, 2026 • By Sarah Austin

Over time, some states have slashed corporate and personal income taxes while also raising the sales tax rate. In 11 states, “all three of those things have happened,” said Sarah Austin, a senior analyst at ITEP and author of the report. 

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Business Insider: States want to tax the rich less. They're taxing your purchases more.

July 27, 2026 • By Sarah Austin

As many voters clamor for higher taxes on the ultrawealthy and corporations, many states have moved in the opposite direction: lowering taxes on high earners and raising them on everyday goods.

More Media Mentions of Sarah Austin