Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Nebraska

America Has Left the Building: U.S. Loses from Our Global Tax Policy Choices, Others Could Gain

Countries that once looked to the U.S. for direction on tax policy have concluded they need to form alliances without us. If so, it will often be to the benefit of other people around the globe and to the deficit of U.S. communities.

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Trump 2025 Tax Law: Research and Resources

May 2, 2025 • By ITEP Staff

Trump 2025 Tax Law: Research and Resources

Want to know more about the tax and spending megabill that President Trump recently signed into law? We've got you covered.

State Rundown 5/1: State Tax Debates Wrapping Up, and Just Beginning

The rampant uncertainty this year extends far beyond the national economy and federal policy, as many state legislatures are declaring their tax and budget debates finished, and just getting started, sometimes in the same breath.

State Rundown 4/24: States Push Tax Cuts Despite Fiscal Uncertainty

While some states are preparing for uncertainty – slowing revenue growth, chaos from unpredictable tariffs, cuts to federal programs, etc. – others continue to move forward with plans for deep tax cuts.   For instance, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation accelerating the cut to the personal income tax rate, which is currently phasing down. […]

State Rundown 4/16: No Vacation from Spring Tax Breaks as Bills Advance

While students and families are enjoying spring break vacations, legislative sessions are still in full swing. And some are poised for a spring tax break season as proposals advance with major implications for the sustainability of state budgets.  

IRS Cooperation with ICE Will Damage Public Trust, Putting Tax Revenues in Jeopardy

Attempts by the Department of Homeland Security to secure private information from the IRS on people who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is a violation of federal privacy laws that protect taxpayers. It is also a change that could seriously damage public trust in the IRS, which could jeopardize billions of dollars in tax payments by hardworking immigrant families.

State Rundown 4/3: Amidst Tariff Uncertainty, State Lawmakers Talk Taxes

While all eyes are on the Trump administration’s tariffs on foreign imports, state lawmakers are moving forward with a mix of deep, regressive tax cuts and progressive revenue raisers.

State Rundown 3/20: It’s March, Welcome to Tax Policy Madness

March Madness kicks off today and the pressure is on as many states’ legislative sessions are nearing the final buzzer. Some state lawmakers are seemingly competing for the title of most regressive state tax policies while others are looking to lift up best practices for more equitable outcomes.   The Mississippi legislature landed on a […]

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State-by-State Tax Expenditure Reports

March 1, 2025 • By ITEP Staff

Below is a list of tax expenditure reports published in the states.

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A Revenue Analysis of Worldwide Combined Reporting in the States

February 20, 2025 • By Carl Davis, Matthew Gardner, Michael Mazerov

A Revenue Analysis of Worldwide Combined Reporting in the States

Universal adoption of mandatory worldwide combined reporting would boost state corporate income tax revenues by roughly 14 percent. Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia would experience revenue increases totaling $19.1 billion.

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Turning IRS Agents to Deportation Will Reduce Public Revenues

February 11, 2025 • By Carl Davis, Jon Whiten

Turning IRS Agents to Deportation Will Reduce Public Revenues

The Trump Administration’s plan to turn IRS agents into deportation agents will result in lower tax collections in addition to the harm done to the families and communities directly affected by deportations.

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The (Mostly Untapped) Power of Local Income Taxes

February 5, 2025 • By Rita Jefferson

The (Mostly Untapped) Power of Local Income Taxes

Local income taxes can be an important progressive revenue raiser, as they ask more of higher-income households and are connected to ability to pay. They can raise substantial revenue to fund key public services to make cities and regions better off.

State Tax Watch 2025

January 28, 2025 • By ITEP Staff

State Tax Watch 2025

ITEP tracks tax discussions in legislatures across the country and uses our unique data capacity to analyze the revenue, distributional, and racial and ethnic impacts of many of these proposals. State Tax Watch offers the latest news and movement from each state.

Policymakers Unwisely Propose Cutting Property Taxes in Favor of Sales Taxes

Lawmakers across the country are taking aim at property taxes with a new strategy: raising sales taxes instead. Doing so would create a regressive tax shift that puts unfair burdens on renters and reduces the strength of local government revenues.

Trump’s Plan to Extend His 2017 Tax Provisions: Updated National and State-by-State Estimates

Trump’s plan to make most of the temporary provisions of his 2017 tax law permanent would disproportionately benefit the richest Americans. This includes all major provisions except the $10,000 cap on deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) paid.

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State Rundown 12/19: Anti-Tax Playbook in Action

December 19, 2024 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 12/19: Anti-Tax Playbook in Action

The anti-tax playbook has been on full display in recent weeks as state policymakers run their offenses against public services and shared priorities. As the playbook dictates, if you have a little breathing room in your budget, propose cuts to the one major tax (personal income tax) that tends to ask more of those who […]

State Rundown 12/3: Some States Cast Away Fiscal Responsibility as They Plan for 2025

The 2025 legislative season will be here before we know it, and state lawmakers have begun unveiling their priorities and proposals. Unfortunately, despite stagnating revenue growth, many lawmakers continue to push for deep, regressive tax cuts - often before the full impact of previous tax cuts is felt.

State Rundown 11/20: Some Budgets and Tax Proposals Fail to Defy Gravity, Fall Short

This week, there are high-profile budget and tax debates at both the state and local levels. The Louisiana legislature continues to debate Gov. Jeff Landry’s deeply regressive tax package in a special session focused on replacing corporate and personal income tax revenue with additional sales taxes, but some efforts to find offsets for the cuts […]

On Election Day, Voters Across the Country Chose to Invest in Their States & Communities

On election day, voters across the country — in states red and blue and communities rural and urban — approved a wide range of state and local ballot measures on taxation and public investment. The success of these measures clearly shows that voters are willing to invest in public priorities that feel tangible and close to home.

State Rundown 11/07: Election Week and New Special Sessions

Tax policy results are mixed across the country as many voters weigh in on state and local ballot measures. For example, Washington state voted to maintain its new progressive tax on capital gains; Georgia voters capped growth in property tax assessments; Illinois voters approved a call for a millionaires’ tax; North Dakota voters rejected property […]

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State Rundown 10/24: Tricks, Treats, and Tax Policy

October 24, 2024 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 10/24: Tricks, Treats, and Tax Policy

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is proposing a regressive tax reform package that would enact a flat personal and corporate income tax while expanding the state’s sales tax base and eliminating certain exemptions to make up for a portion of the lost revenue. West Virginia continues to chip away at its personal income tax, one of the state’s few progressive revenue options. And advocates in New York are rallying around a package of progressive tax legislation that would tax capital gains at higher rates, enact higher income tax brackets on multi-millionaires, and tax unrealized capital gains of billionaires.

2024 Local Tax Ballot Measures: Voters in Dozens of Communities Will Shape Local Policy

Next month, voters across the country will weigh in on many local ballot measures that will have a profound effect on the adequacy of our local tax systems and whether cities and communities can fund public needs. These are in addition to statewide ballot questions, many of which have local implications this year.  

State Rundown 10/10: More Special Sessions, More Proposed Tax Cuts

This week several states are getting an early start at writing new tax policy in special sessions. In West Virginia, the legislature has come to an agreement with Gov. Justice on an additional tax cut—on top of already-planned cuts. The 2 percent cut will cost the state $49 million a year and come from spending […]

CBS News: What Are Tim Walz’s Economic Policies? Here’s a Look at What He’s Done in Minnesota.

October 1, 2024

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz may be best known for his Midwestern roots, having grown up in Nebraska and spent years as a public school teacher and football coach in Minnesota. But voters will get a chance during his debate Tuesday with vice presidential rival Sen. JD Vance on CBS to hear more about Walz's views on taxes and the economy, a critical issue in the November election.

State Rundown 9/18: Special Tax Session Results? “Reply Hazy, Try Again”

As the dust settles...