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Brakeyshia Samms
Senior AnalystIncome taxes are the backbone of most state budgets, but you wouldn't gather this fact based on the current trend to cut or eliminate them. A recent, cheerful Wall Street Journal op-ed from anti-government advocate Grover Norquist offers a clear sign that tax-cutting states are taking the wrong approach. The long-time proponent of anti-tax pledges wrote favorably about the legislative and gubernatorial plans to cut income tax cuts across the country. As usual, he failed to address that income taxes support state investments in education, infrastructure, health care and other important public services. -
March 2, 2022
State Rundown 3/2: State Tax News When You Need It
ITEP is happy to announce the launch of our new State Tax Watch page, where you can find out about the most up-to-date tax proposals and permanent legislative changes happening across the country... -
Since last year, multiple states across the country have proposed or are pursuing costly income and other tax cuts that are heavily tilted toward the highest-income households. State advocates have worked to beat back these proposals and sounded the alarm about the long-term consequences of tax cuts, but legislatures (most GOP-led) continue to introduce and approve top-heavy and permanent tax cuts. This state tax-cut fervor took center stage last night when Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa gave the Republican response to President Biden's SOTU address.
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Amy Hanauer
Executive DirectorMarch 1, 2022
Taxes Should be Part of the State of the Union Agenda
President Biden should elevate his tax and revenue proposals which remain essential if we are to pay for environmental restoration, health priorities and peacekeeping, the front-burner items that may dominate the speech. -
February 23, 2022
State Rundown 2/23: Temporary Surplus, Permanent Cuts
Several state legislatures are continuing to push ahead this year with significant tax cut packages that are regressive and would dramatically reduce revenues and leave states in a bad position should they experience another unexpected economic shock... -
Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy DirectorFebruary 22, 2022
Senate Republicans Revive the Myth of the Takers
Sen. Scott and others who favor shifting taxes away from the rich and down the income distribution often focus solely on the federal personal income tax and ignore all the other taxes that Americans pay. -
Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy DirectorFebruary 17, 2022
The Federal Gas Tax Holiday is Not a New Idea, Just a Bad One
The argument for suspending the gas tax, which would cost $20 billion, is weaker than ever. -
February 16, 2022
State Rundown 2/16: Spending Priorities Emerge as the Votes Are Counted
State lawmakers have been busy working out deals and negotiating how best to use excess revenues, and as the votes are beginning to come in, spending priorities are becoming clearer... -
Amy Hanauer
Executive DirectorFebruary 16, 2022
Imagine a Better Tax Code, Use Evidence to Make It Real
It’s become popular to urge people to imagine a better world. But on tax policy, the last year gives us ample evidence that lets us move far beyond imagining. -
February 10, 2022
State Rundown 2/10: Dems Also Set Sights on Tax Cuts
While record state revenue surpluses have led to big pushes in red states to make unnecessary permanent income and corporate tax cuts, Democrats are also getting in on the tax-cut mania... -
Aidan Davis
State Policy DirectorAlthough the EITC expansion did not receive as much attention as the expanded Child Tax Credit, a new ITEP report shows the positive impact of allowing young workers without children in the home to maintain access to one of the nation’s most significant and effective anti-poverty programs. -
Matthew Gardner
Senior FellowAmazon avoided about $5.2 billion of federal income tax on its record $36 billion in U.S. pretax income for fiscal year 2021. -
February 2, 2022
State Rundown 2/2: The First Tax Cut Domino Falls…
One-time payments have become a common theme around the country, as Idaho is one of roughly eleven states with plans to provide tax relief in a similar fashion... -
Matthew Gardner
Senior FellowNetflix's 2021 financial report shows it doubled its profits to $5.3 billion from the previous year and reported an effective federal corporate income tax rate of 1.1 percent. -
Brakeyshia Samms
Senior AnalystJanuary 31, 2022
Build Back Better’s Tax Provisions Would Help Advance Racial Equity
Build Back Better can help ensure that all people are provided with the chance to lead healthy lives, have access to quality education, are treated fairly and justly, and thrive in today’s economy. -
Governors and legislators are beginning to settle on and advance tax bills that could drastically shape the future of their states and several trends and themes are beginning to emerge...
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Amy Hanauer
Executive DirectorJanuary 25, 2022
Why Tax Reform Should Remain on the Table
In this country, wealthier than any other and wealthier than we’ve ever been, we can create a smarter, more equitable tax code that better taxes those most able to pay. -
January 20, 2022
State Rundown 1/20: Governors Eyeing Tax Cuts in Yearly Addresses
A common theme is emerging out of states, as governors around the U.S. begin the year with their annual state speeches, and the news does not bode well for long-term growth and sustainable budgets... -
Kamolika Das
Local Policy DirectorNot only is Mississippi's latest tax proposal deeply inequitable, the state simply cannot afford it. -
In just six short months, the enhanced Child Tax Credit (CTC), enacted as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), decreased the number of children living in poverty by 40 percent. ITEP estimated that the lowest-income 20 percent of households with children would receive a 35 percent income boost from this policy alone in 2021. This is a meaningful, life-changing sum.
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January 13, 2022
State Rundown 1/13: The Tax Cuts Cometh, But There Is a Better Way
As expected, with the start of many new legislative sessions around the country, lawmakers have introduced a slew of tax cut plans following better-than-expected budget outlooks that have, so far, weathered the impact of the pandemic... -
Joe Hughes
Senior AnalystPrior to last year, more than one in three children lived in households with incomes too low to receive the full $2,000 credit because it is not fully refundable. This means earnings requirements and other limits reduce the amount tax filers can receive as a refund. In fact, the maximum refundable portion is reduced to $1,400 (less than half of the maximum refundable credit available in 2021). -
Brakeyshia Samms
Senior AnalystJanuary 11, 2022
School’s In: Tackling College Affordability Through State Tax Codes
Given that a sweeping federal solution to the college affordability crisis does not appear to be on the immediate horizon, it is even more important that states take whatever steps they can to expand college access and affordability. While most of that effort will need to occur on the spending side of the ledger—such as through lowering tuition costs, expanding financial aid, or perhaps even funding free college outright—tax policy also has a role to play. -
Neva Butkus
Senior AnalystThe same legislators who touted tax cuts for the rich as solution to our problems before the pandemic are also saying tax cuts for the rich are a solution during the pandemic. Tax cuts cannot be a solution to everything, especially at a time when the richest Americans are amassing more wealth than ever. -
Aidan Davis
State Policy DirectorJanuary 10, 2022
Investing in a Joint Future: Harnessing State Tax Codes
Rather than resorting to tax cuts, which can eventually create revenue shortfalls, lawmakers should determine whether they have adequately invested in people and communities. There are better ways to leverage tax systems to help those who need it most.
Blog Categories
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