Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

ITEP Work in Action

Kansas Action for Children: Flat Tax: Simple Doesn’t Mean Smart

February 16, 2023

The state has seen increased revenue in recent years, with the state budget including millions of dollars in surplus revenue. The temporary, higher receipts have led to several tax cut proposals. Now, some politicians and special business interest groups are proposing to use lingering budget surpluses to tilt the tax code even further in their favor. […]

Kansas Action for Children: Working Kansas Families Bear Brunt of Skewed Policies

February 26, 2021

In the midst of a global pandemic and recession, the Kansas Legislature shockingly continues to consider bills that will further lower the already low tax responsibilities of corporations and high-income Kansans. Lawmakers should reject legislation like Senate Bill 22 and instead work to enhance economic and racial equity through Kansas’s tax code. Our state’s leaders […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: Kansans of Color Often Pay More Than Their Fair Share of Taxes

November 2, 2018

Kansans believe in fairness. However, a recent study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and the Kansas Center for Economic Growth finds that the lowest-income Kansans are contributing a higher share of their income to fund our priorities. Without an equitable tax structure, we will struggle to make necessary investments in great […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: New Analysis: Tax Reform Reduces Inequality for Kansans, but Low-Income Taxpayers Still Pay 1.5 Times the Rate Paid by the Richest

October 17, 2018

A new study released today by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and the Kansas Center for Economic Growth finds that the lowest-income Kansans pay 1.5 times more in taxes as a percent of their income compared with the state’s wealthiest residents.

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: New KCEG Blog Series Documents Equity Issues Facing Kansas

February 15, 2018

systemic barriers facing Kansans can strengthen our state’s economy. Using data broken out by race and ethnicity, gender, and immigration status, the entries highlight areas for policymakers to address to ensure continued economic prosperity for every Kansan. Policy and research analyst Emily Fetsch examined data in recent reports from the Kansas Health Institute and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: New American immigrants in Kansas strengthen the economy

February 7, 2018

A recent report from the Institute of Tax and Economic Policy (ITEP) shows how undocumented immigrants in Kansas demonstrate their commitment to our state and increase state revenue through the taxes they pay. Read more here

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: New American Immigrants in Kansas Strengthen the Economy

February 7, 2018

Currently, undocumented immigrants residing in Kansas pay nearly $68 million a year in state and local taxes. By granting undocumented immigrants full and legal status, Kansas could receive an additional $11 million in state and local taxes annually, creating a nearly $79 million state and local tax contribution from the undocumented immigrant population. Read more […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: A Flat Tax Would Only Worsen Kansas’ Budget Crisis

March 18, 2017

Governor Sam Brownback’s 2012 plan to phase out the state income tax created an unprecedented fiscal crisis for Kansas. Some options presented for addressing this crisis would “flatten” Kansas’ income tax and require all Kansans to pay the same income tax rate, regardless of how much they earn. Read more here

Kansas Action for Children: KAC Testimony to the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee in Support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1604

February 15, 2017

The high food sales tax hurts Kansas families. Food is a basic necessity for Kansas’ families. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the state’s increasing reliance on sales tax hurts Kansas’ poorest residents. The lowest 20% of  income earners in Kansas pay an average of 11.1% of their income in state and […]

ITEP Testimony Regarding Kansas Senate Bill 188

February 14, 2017

ITEP analysis of Kansas tax changes enacted between 2012 and 2015 shows the state lost over $1 billion in revenue annually from changes to its personal income tax, including lowering income tax rates and exempting business pass-through income from taxation (see Figure 1). While the state subsequently made up some of these revenue losses through […]

ITEP Testimony Regarding Kansas Senate Bill 2237

February 7, 2017

ITEP analysis of Kansas tax changes enacted between 2012 and 2015 shows the state lost over $1 billion in revenue annually from changes to its personal income tax, including lowering income tax rates and exempting business pass-through income from taxation (see Figure 1). While the state subsequently made up some of these revenue losses through […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: KCEG Testimony to the House Taxation Committee as Neutral on HB 2023.

January 9, 2017

The LLC Loophole is unfair, expensive, and failed to create jobs. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the LLC loophole costs Kansas nearly $290 million per year. It was originally touted as the plan’s signature feature, but now legislators and business leaders of all political stripes publicly acknowledge that it failed to […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: A Guide to Comprehensive Tax Reform in Kansas

December 18, 2016

The morning after the election was tough. Half the country woke up feeling devastated, the other half awoke feeling excited. Regardless of who you voted for, it’s hard to come back together when we feel so deeply divided. In Kansas, however, we have a special opportunity to rise to the occasion. Read more here

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: Brownback Tax Hike Doesn’t Solve Budget Crisis

October 21, 2015

“Every Kansas income group will pay more as a result of this tax increase, but it still doesn’t solve Kansas’ ongoing budget crisis,” said Duane Goossen, senior fellow at the Kansas Center for Economic Growth and former state budget director. “Kansas is draining over $800 million a year as a result of Gov. Brownback’s 2012 […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: Tax Hikes to Protect Businesses Hit Working Kansans Hardest

October 21, 2015

The end-result of this years’ historically long session was quite predictable: taxes were raised on hard-working Kansans to cover the budget shortfall caused by the unaffordable tax cuts of 2012-13. The increases recently adopted will fall primarily on low- and moderate-income Kansans because such a big chunk of the new money will come from sales […]

Kansas Center for Economic Growth: Kansas Taxes in 2013 – Who Pays?

April 15, 2014

The tax cuts in Kansas disproportionately affect our poorest residents. While the wealthiest Kansans take home enough money to purchase more than 14,000 loaves of bread, low-income families OWE more taxes, which means 125 fewer loaves of bread for them. Read the Full Report

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Lessons for Other States from Kansas’ Massive Tax Cuts

March 27, 2014

Tax cuts enacted in Kansas in 2012 were among the largest ever enacted by any state, and have since been held up by tax-cut proponents in other states as a model worth replicating.  In truth, Kansas is a cautionary tale, not a model.  As other states recover from the recent recession and turn toward the […]

Kansas Action for Children: The Kansas Budget Gap: How Did it Happen and Who Gets Hurt?

January 14, 2013

As is the case in any state, Kansas revenue and budget circumstances vary from year to year depending on a number of factors, including the health of the economy, the cost of providing state services and unforeseen expenses due to natural disasters or litigation. However, the budget shortfalls seen in Kansas recently are the result […]

Kansas Action for Children: Kansas Tax Reform in 2012: What does it mean for children and families?

December 17, 2012

“One of the defining issues of the 2012 Kansas legislative session was tax policy. Ultimately, the package of tax changes enacted by lawmakers will negatively impact Kansas children and families in a number of ways. • State revenues will be dramatically reduced – affecting available funding for necessary services such as education, the social safety […]