Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Citations

ITEP's Citations Research Priorities

New Jersey Senator Singleton and Senate President Scutari Resolution Condemning Federal Efforts to Cut Funding

In response to the recent passage by the House of Representatives of a budget resolution that seeks to cut hundreds of billions in funding for programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee has passed a resolution from Senator Troy Singleton and Senate […]

Video: ITEP’s Matt Gardner Discusses Worldwide Combined Reporting with Yes! Magazine

March 3, 2025

ITEP Senior Fellow Matt Gardner recently spoke to Sonali Kolhatkar about how worldwide combined reporting can be used to crack down on corporate tax avoidance. You can watch the full video here.

Nashville Pride: Lawmakers Push to Repeal Tennessee Grocery Tax, Citing New Report

March 3, 2025

A new in-depth report is strengthening the push to eliminate Tennessee’s state sales tax on groceries without cutting essential public services. The analysis shows that closing corporate tax loopholes could generate nearly $900 million in revenue—enough to offset the cost of repealing the grocery tax entirely. Read more.

Audio: ITEP’s Neva Butkus Discusses Louisiana’s Tax System on Louisiana Public Radio

February 27, 2025

In a special legislative session late last year, Louisiana passed a sweeping overhaul to its tax system year that saw the state income tax slashed to a flat tax rate and increased the rates of the state sales tax. Some have said the new tax system is a very modest improvement, while others find it […]

Reuters: Fact Check: Undocumented Immigrants Can and Do Pay Taxes

February 27, 2025

Undocumented immigrants paid nearly $97 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, according to a July 2024 report, opens new tab by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), which used data on taxpayers with ITINs to estimate tax revenue.

Testimony: ITEP’s Matt Gardner Discusses How to Improve Maryland’s Tax Code at House Ways & Means Committee Hearing

ITEP Senior Fellow Matt Gardner submitted the written testimony below to Maryland’s House Ways & Means Committee on February 20, 2025. Video of his oral testimony is at the bottom of this post. Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony. My name is Matthew Gardner. I am a senior fellow at the Institute […]

Bloomberg: Trump’s SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole

February 26, 2025

Over the coming months, President Donald Trump and his congressional allies will try to rewrite the nation’s tax laws, with promises of cuts for companies, workers and retirees. There are trillions of dollars on the line with those changes. But a certain segment of Americans will be focused on just one question: How much of their state and local taxes (SALT) will they be allowed to deduct?

USA Today: President Trump’s Social Security Changes So Far: 4 Things You Should Know

February 25, 2025

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to end federal taxation of Social Security retirement benefits. This isn't something he can do unilaterally. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president and Republican lawmakers have discussed including this move in a budget package. But so far in his second term, President Trump has made some changes on his own that affect Social Security either directly or indirectly. Here are four things you should know.

Hawai’i Worldwide Combined Reporting Bill Cites ITEP Data

February 25, 2025 • By ITEP Staff

Hawai’i Worldwide Combined Reporting Bill Cites ITEP Data

House Bill 116 in this year’s state legislative session in Hawai’i cites ITEP data on the revenue potential of worldwide combined reporting (WWCR). (For more on WWCR, read our recent report here.)

Florida Policy Institute: A Risky Proposition: Weakening Local Governments by Eliminating Property Tax Revenue

In Florida, the ability of local governments to raise revenue for operations is limited by the state constitution.[1] With the exception of fees, special assessments,[2] and the property tax, also known as an ad valorem tax, local governments are dependent on the Legislature and state laws for authority to levy other forms of taxation and raise revenue. Consequently, as a matter of fiscal management and local autonomy, the property tax is paramount. Considering recent policy proposals to eliminate property taxes (see Appendix), this brief explores the property tax, its role as a source of local fiscal autonomy, possibilities for reform, and the…

Maine Center for Economic Policy: Proposed Medicaid Cuts Put Maine Families’ Incomes At Risk

Proposed Medicaid cuts could affect over 400,000 Mainers, especially children, older adults, and families with low income, reducing access to essential health care and economic stability. Read more.  

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Let’s End Corporate Tax Avoidance in Maryland by Enacting Worldwide Combined Reporting

Conservative revenue estimates released this week by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) project hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenues for Maryland once you close the loophole that allows a small group of the world’s most aggressive global giants to dodge their responsibility to the people of Maryland. Read more.

NPR: Trump Aims to Cut Benefits for Those Without Legal Status. Most Already Don’t Qualify

February 20, 2025

President Trump issued an order Thursday aimed at preventing taxpayer money from supporting immigrants without legal status. Read more.

New York Times: Trump Orders End to Federal Benefits for Undocumented Migrants

February 20, 2025

President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at eliminating federal benefits for undocumented migrants in the United States, describing the benefits as an improper use of taxpayer resources.

U.S. News and World Report: How Trump’s Mass Deportations Could Lower the Social Security Trust Funds

February 19, 2025

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, including one aimed at “the efficient and expedited removal of aliens from the United States.” It calls for the Department of Homeland Security to expand its reach and deport “removable aliens” in every state. Those efforts have run into obstacles – most notably a lack of detention space and funding – but if successful, mass deportations could have unintended consequences. For one, they could mean less money for already meager Social Security trust funds.

Newsweek: Donald Trump’s Immigration Plans Could Push Up Retirement Costs

February 13, 2025

While there is widespread support for Trump's policies, it could have a negative impact on retirees across the U.S. by reducing the pool of funding available to pay benefits, increasing costs and contributing to an increase in inflation.

New York Times: Opinion | Democrats Need to Learn How to Throw a Punch

February 12, 2025

For most of the past decade, progressives presented the battle over immigration as simply a fight against Republican cruelty, racism and xenophobia. Such messaging does not amount to a political strategy. By 2024, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris seemed to stop trying to win the debate. As border-state governments grappled with newcomers, Republican leaders saw a crisis they could seize and weaponize — while Democratic leaders offered no compelling case of their own.

Maryland Center on Economic Policy: First Look: Governor Combines Revenues, Cuts to Narrow Budget Gap

Gov. Moore’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025–June 2026) makes a significant dent in the state’s looming shortfalls, with similar-sized contributions from tax reforms and budget cuts. The plan takes several positive steps to crack down on corporate tax avoidance and ask wealthy individuals to pay their fair share. These reforms are an important measure to protect Marylanders from much more drastic cuts to public services. At the same time, a more ambitious revenue package would do more to support the foundations of thriving communities across our state.

Demos: Taxes Explained: A Fair and Just Tax Code Is Critical for Improving Economic Power for the People

This year will be a pivotal year for tax policy and will have far-reaching consequences for our economy and democracy. It is important that the people understand what is at stake. This Tax Justice and Racial Equity Explainer Series will cover key elements of the tax code that Congress will be debating this year and their real-world significance for communities of color. The following four pieces will cover corporate taxation, the difference between wealth and income taxes, and an overview of tax credits and deductions.

Slate: This Is Not About Cost Cutting

February 11, 2025

As terrifying and probably illegal as Elon Musk’s tech-bro holy war against the federal government has been, it’s only Phase 1. Really, the spectacle of the past few weeks sets Donald Trump and Musk up for what they almost certainly want much more: massive tax cuts for the wealthy.

Video: ITEP’s Miles Trinidad Talks Maryland Tax Reform on WUSA9 TV

February 11, 2025

ITEP State Analyst Miles Trinidad spoke to WUSA9 TV about Gov. Wes Moore’s proposed tax reform package. Video is embedded below, and link to the story is here.

Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: Another Income Tax Cut Will Dig the Hole Deeper

Kentucky lawmakers are expected to vote early in the legislative session on another half-point cut to the individual income tax rate, a drop from 4% to 3.5%. This cut is expected to pass despite a projected decline in tax revenues due to the income tax reductions of the last couple of years. With this next drop, the state will get closer to the level of tax cuts Kansas put in place in 2013 and was forced to reverse just five years later because the state wasn’t bringing in enough money to meet its obligations.

The Texas Tribune: Gov. Greg Abbott Wants to Set a High Bar for Local Tax Increases

February 10, 2025

Gov. Greg Abbott, in his bid to curb Texas’ high property taxes, wants Texas voters to have the final say on any property tax hike. Local governments that collect property taxes — including cities, counties and school districts — should have to win approval from a two-thirds majority of voters if they want to raise their tax rates, Abbott said.

Video: ITEP’s Kamolika Das on Revenue and Fines & Fees Reform

ITEP Local Policy Director Kamolika Das discussed revenue and the reform of fines and fees at this webinar hosted by the Fines & Fees Justice Center.

New Jersey Policy Perspective: Extending Trump Tax Cuts Would Benefit the Wealthiest New Jerseyans

Fair tax policy depends on prioritizing the well-being of all households, not just the wealthiest. New Jersey, and the nation as a whole, cannot afford to hand special tax breaks to the most affluent residents by slashing essential services such as health insurance for working families. New analysis of the Trump administration’s plan to make tax breaks from the 2017 tax law permanent shows that the proposal would do just that. It would make the wealthiest New Jerseyans even richer while cutting programs and support for families who need help affording basic necessities like food and health care.