Recent Work by ITEP

State Rundown 2/9: We <3 Taxes

February 9, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

The great women’s philosopher, Pat Benatar, once said “love is a battlefield,” and there’s no greater test of our love for state tax policy than following the ups and downs of state legislative sessions...

Why the States Have a Major Role to Play If We Want Tax Justice

February 9, 2023 • By Amy Hanauer

With fears of gridlock in a divided Washington, tax justice champions are building momentum in other places where there's dire need for better tax policy: the states. We can upgrade communities across the country by making 2023 a year to win tax improvements in statehouses.

State of the Union Likely to Continue Progress on Tax Justice

February 7, 2023 • By Amy Hanauer

After decades of Presidents who ran away from taxes, it’s a sea change to have a chief executive who understands that the rich should pay their fair share, extremely profitable corporations should pay their fair share, and the public sector should have revenue to invest in problems – like climate change and healthcare – that will only be solved with pathbreaking public action.

State Rundown 2/1: February Brings New (and Some Old) Tax Policy Conversations

February 1, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

Tax bills across the U.S. are winding their way through state legislatures and governors continue to set the tone for this year’s legislative sessions...

By Fighting Audit Bias, Funding for Tax Enforcement Can Advance Racial Equity

February 1, 2023 • By Jon Whiten

Black households are between 2.9 and 4.7 times more likely to be audited by the Internal Revenue Service than non-Black households. This disparity is driven in part but not wholly by a lack of resources at the IRS, which itself is driven by years of budget cuts the agency has faced.

State Rundown 1/26: Tax Season Brings With it Reminder of EITC’s Impact

January 26, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

Tax season has officially kicked off and with Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day right around the corner, it serves as another reminder for how important the EITC is...

State Rundown 1/19: ITEP Provides a Roadmap for Equitable Tax Goals in 2023

January 19, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

State legislatures are buzzing as leaders and lawmakers jockey to advance their 2023 goals...

Several States Make New Moves to Tax Wealth

January 18, 2023 • By Jon Whiten

Lawmakers in seven states will introduce legislation this week to tax wealth in a new coordinated effort to combat ever-increasing income and wealth inequality. The bills couldn’t come at a better time, as those at the very top continue to pull apart from the rest of us and far too many states contemplate piling on to this runaway inequality with seemingly endless tax cuts for those at the top.

How Many States Have a Flat Income Tax?

January 18, 2023 • By ITEP Staff

Two-thirds of states with broad-based personal income tax structures have a graduated rate, while one-third have flat taxes.

State Lawmakers Should Break the 2023 Tax Cut Fever Before It’s Too Late

January 18, 2023 • By Miles Trinidad

Despite mixed economic signals for 2023, including a possible recession, many state lawmakers plan to use temporary budget surpluses to forge ahead with permanent, regressive tax cuts that would disproportionately benefit the wealthy at the expense of low- and middle-income households. These cuts would put state finances in a precarious position and further erode public investments in education, transportation and health, all of which are crucial for creating inclusive, vibrant communities where everyone, not just the rich, can achieve economic security and thrive. In the event of an economic downturn, these results would be accelerated and amplified.