Recent Work by ITEP

Kansas Avoids Flat Tax Proposal: Narrow Victory a Cautionary Tale for Other States

April 27, 2023 • By Brakeyshia Samms

Kansas lawmakers failed to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a damaging flat tax package. In doing so, the state narrowly avoided traveling again down the same disastrous yet well-worn path of deep income tax cuts. States across the country can learn from Kansas’s experience by rethinking tax policy decisions and broader statewide priorities.

State Rundown 4/27: Health, Wealth, and State Tax Policy

April 27, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

This week the importance of state tax policy is center stage once again...

Racial Justice Requires Tax Justice: Our Analysis Helps Deliver Both

April 24, 2023 • By Amy Hanauer

ITEP’s analytical approach, our comprehensive microsimulation model, and our unique state-level capacities enable us to do pioneering analyses that enrich the debate on racial justice in tax policy that no other entity can do.

State Rundown 4/19: Revenue Discussions Heat Up Like the Temperature

April 19, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

Tax season has ended for most filers, but the topic remains a hot one in states around the country...

How is Adult-Use Cannabis Taxed by Your Local Government?

April 19, 2023 • By Carl Davis, Eli Byerly-Duke

Twenty states have legalized the sale of cannabis for general adult use. Cannabis taxes vary considerably depending on local authority. Some states allow local governments to levy standalone excise taxes applying narrowly to cannabis purchases. Most local excise taxes on cannabis are levied in states that do not permit local governments to levy general sales taxes.

How is Adult-Use Cannabis Taxed in Your State?

April 19, 2023 • By Carl Davis, Eli Byerly-Duke

Twenty states have legalized cannabis sales for general adult use. Every state allowing legal sales applies a cannabis tax based on the product’s quantity, its price, or both. ITEP research indicates that taxes based on quantity will be more sustainable over time because prices are widely expected to fall as the cannabis industry matures.

Why is My Refund So Much Smaller This Year? Only the Good (Tax Credits) Die Young.

April 18, 2023 • By Joe Hughes

This year millions of American families are finding that their refunds are much smaller than last year—or that they even owe taxes back to the government—because of the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit that were in effect in 2021. The lapse of the expanded credits affects a majority of the middle class, but lower-income households are particularly likely to feel the sting.

We Can Create a Fair, Feminist Tax Code

April 14, 2023 • By Amy Hanauer

Everything! Taxing wealthy people and corporations and using the revenue for paid leave, child care, education, health care and college would transform America for girls and women of every race and family type, in every corner of this country.

State Rundown 4/12: Tax Day 2023 – A Good Reminder of the Impact of Our Collective Investments

April 12, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

With Tax Day quickly approaching it’s worth taking some time to reflect not just on tax forms (though those are important!), but also on the current state of state tax policy...

Deep Public Investment Changes Lives, Yet Too Many States Continue to Seek Tax Cuts

April 12, 2023 • By Aidan Davis

When state budgets are strong, lawmakers should put those revenues toward building a stronger and more inclusive society for the long haul. Yet, many state lawmakers have made clear that their top priority is repeatedly cutting taxes for the wealthy.