Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Recent Work

2306 items
The Campaign by Former Democratic Officials to Stop Taxes on the Wealthy Is Back

A former Democratic senator from Nebraska has joined Saving America’s Family Enterprises and taken up its cause of opposing wealth taxes.

Congressional Republicans Say D.C. Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Run Its Own Tax System

This week a U.S. House of Representatives committee approved a bill that would effectively take away Washington, D.C.’s fiscal autonomy, requiring Congressional approval of any new D.C. laws that increase taxes or fees.

Localities Try Vacant Land Taxes, Mansion Taxes and Second Home Taxes

In 2026, cities, counties, and school districts must manage tax cuts coming from federal and state governments, the end of federal pandemic aid, rising costs, and a stagnant economy. This challenging environment is forcing municipalities of all types to ask how they can best fund core priorities and invest in communities in the long term.

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The Changing Landscape of State Tax Rates

July 21, 2026 • By Sarah Austin

The Changing Landscape of State Tax Rates

Many states have repeatedly cut top personal and corporate income tax rates in recent years, sometimes while approving increased sales tax rates to push tax systems in a more regressive direction. Other states, however, have charted a very different course and have moved to increase taxes on higher income households to fund public services.

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State Tax Expenditures Deserve a Closer Look

July 20, 2026 • By Brooklyn Ramirez

State Tax Expenditures Deserve a Closer Look

As many states enter a new fiscal year this month, it’s an ideal time to take a closer look at a major but often overlooked category of government spending: tax expenditures. To make these programs easier to explore and compare, ITEP has updated its state-by-state tax expenditure reports resource.

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Congress Should Reject Proposed Tax Breaks for Crypto

July 16, 2026 • By Steve Wamhoff

Congress Should Reject Proposed Tax Breaks for Crypto

Crypto provides no clear benefit and instead harms society in several ways. Even if crypto was useful in some way that outweighed the harms it causes, there is no reason to make exceptions that treat it more generously than other types of assets or transactions.

New Legislation Would Require Big Multinationals to Tell Shareholders Where They’re Hiding Offshore Profits

Sen. Chris Van Hollen introduced legislation requiring big multinational corporations to tell shareholders and the public what they’re already telling tax authorities behind closed doors: how much income they’re booking in specific offshore tax havens and how little tax they’re paying to these jurisdictions.

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Ineffective Sales Tax Holidays Miss the Mark

July 15, 2026 • By Miles Trinidad

Ineffective Sales Tax Holidays Miss the Mark

Twenty states have sales tax holidays in 2026. These sales tax holidays will cost states and localities nearly $600 million in lost revenue this year, and they're poorly targeted and too temporary to meaningfully change the regressive nature of a state’s tax system.

Video: The Trump administration wants to restrict tax credits for lawfully present immigrants.

The Trump administration is targeting immigrants again.

Missouri’s Amendment 5 Would Cut Taxes for the Rich and Raise Taxes on Seniors and the Middle Class

On August 4, Missouri voters will vote on whether to increase taxes on the middle class and seniors to fund tax cuts for the richest households in the state.

Trump Administration Says Shining Light on Corporate Tax Avoidance is ‘Very Dangerous’

Administration officials appear far more concerned about the public knowing too much about how U.S. corporations shift their income into offshore tax havens.

State Rundown 7/14: 250 Years of Good Reasons to Tax the Rich

As our nation celebrates and reflects 250 years since its adoption of the Declaration of Independence, several states have moved to pass lingering budgets.

Video: Why are states handing out billions in tax breaks to data centers?

State lawmakers are rushing to offers billions in subsidies to data centers.

2026 Sessions in Review: States Fund Tax Credits by Preserving, Raising Revenue

In a year of cautious uncertainty around current and ongoing revenues, many state lawmakers strengthened their tax credits for families and children.

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State-by-State Tax Expenditure Reports

July 1, 2026 • By ITEP Staff

State-by-State Tax Expenditure Reports

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

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