Brookings: Topics - Taxes

The Scouting Report Web Chat: Extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, November 11, Ted Gayer and Fred Barbash participated in a live web chat on the extended homebuyer tax credit, debating whether or not President Obama should have let it expire.

The Scouting Report: Extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 11, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

President Obama approved the expansion and extension of the homebuyer tax credit initially approved as part of the economic stimulus package. While this move is intended to spur home sales, many experts argue that extending the tax credit is bad policy. On Wednesday, November 11, Ted Gayer and Politico Senior Editor Fred Barbash will be online to answer your questions about the homebuyer tax credit in a live web chat.

Behavioral Economics and the Conservative Critique of VAT

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Some economists and policymakers are discussing the idea of a value added tax (VAT) as a way to solve our deficit problems. Ted Gayer looks at the VAT through the prism of behavioral economics and warns that policymakers could use insights gleaned from this field of economics to deliberately temper healthy economic and political constraints on the growth of government.

Economic Recovery and the Earned Income Tax Credit

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

At the National Community Tax Coalition’s inaugural Day of Action on Capitol Hill, Elizabeth Kneebone discussed how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 increased support for low-income working families.

Bend the Revenue Curve: Health Reform Alone Won't End Deficits

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although health care reform is intended to bend the curve of spending and reduce the deficit, it alone will not be enough, say Henry Aaron and Isabel Sawhill. They propose that Congress enact a value-added tax, the equivalent of a broad-based sales tax on all goods and services. The revenue from the new tax, and other sources, should be linked directly to public health care spending through a newly created trust fund which would pay for all federal health care spending.

Behavioral Economics and Tax Policy

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Behavioral economics is changing our understanding of how economic policy operates – including tax policy. In this paper, William J. Congdon, Jeffrey R. Kling and Sendhil Mullainathan consider some implications of behavioral economics for tax policy, such as how it changes our understanding of the welfare consequences of taxation, the relative desirability of using the tax system as a platform for policy implementation and the role of taxes as an element of policy design.

Tax Reform and Fiscal Discipline Needed for Economic Recovery

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:14:14 GMT

As the administration continues to wrangle with the floundering economy, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has advised that the growing budget deficits have to be cut. Economic Studies director William Gale agrees saying there needs to be a more comprehensive approach to stabilizing the economy.

Tax Reform Handcuffs

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has embraced the idea of tax reform and created an independent commission, but told its members to work within the confines of current policy. Can there be meaningful reform that doesn't raise income taxes on 95 percent of taxpayers? William Gale discusses this and other issues regarding tax reform.

Challenges and Opportunities for Tax Reform

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:50:40 GMT

William Gale says the current tax system is too complicated, inequitable and inefficient. He says President Obama has to take the lead on reforming the tax code and that taxpayers should anticipate a future of higher taxes and fewer tax cuts.

The Scouting Report: Tax Reform

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 15, 2009, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

On tax day in the United States, Leonard Burman, director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, took questions about what the Obama administration should do to create a fair and equitable tax system during an online web chat moderated by Politico Senior Editor Fred Barbash.

President Obama's Budget and U.S. Fiscal Solvency

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:51:28 GMT

Ron Haskins, co-director of Brookings’s Center on Children and Families, says President Obama’s budget is unsustainable and adds that it will likely fail to help restore fiscal solvency to the nation’s economy. Haskins says unless lawmakers are willing to compromise on key issues the fiscal situation will worsen.

Making a Good Budget Better

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama’s budget is the subject of floor debate in the House and Senate this week. Alice Rivlin says that the budget offers good remedies for America’s economic ills, but urges Congress to make it even better by paying for the new investments and reducing the long-term deficits.

Obama's Budget Battle

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In order to overcome trillion-dollar deficits, the president must get spending under control – and muster a lot of political will says Isabel Sawhill: First, by getting Health Care spending under control; second, by putting Social Security on a sound financial basis; and finally by raising revenues.

American Corporate Tax Exceptionalism

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 20, 2009, 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

The Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center (TPC) and the International Tax Policy Forum held a half-day conference to assess the extent to which the U.S. tax system differs from international norms and whether these differences affect U.S. economic performance.

In '06, Rich Earned More, Paid Less Tax

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 2006, the 400 richest Americans had an average income of $263 million, a 23 percent jump over the previous year, the Internal Revenue Service says. That same year, the very wealthy paid, on average, an effective tax rate of 17 percent — the lowest in 15 years. NPR's All Things Considered host Robert Siegel discusses the issue with Bill Gale.

A Budget We Can Believe In

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A diverse group of experts urged President Obama, in his first budget submission, to strike a judicious balance between America’s short-term and long-term economic needs. While the need to boost spending to stimulate the economy is important, they say these short-term steps must not make it harder to achieve our long-term goals. They note that fundamental reforms of major entitlement programs and the tax system are needed to bring spending and revenues into better balance over the longer-term.

Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to Benefit Families and Places

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The economic recovery bill includes tax relief for lower-income working families, including temporary, targeted expansions in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). A new Metropolitan Policy Program analysis shows how proposed expansions to the EITC would benefit taxpayers in individual states, metropolitan areas and selected cities around the nation.

A Payroll Tax Holiday?

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

If policy-makers prefer speedy and administratively simple tax relief, a payroll tax cut has much to recommend it. However, argues Gary Burtless, if they want to target tax relief on taxpayers who are most likely to spend it in the short run, then a temporary cut in income taxes is the way to go.

Fixing the Tax System

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Innovative and sound tax policy may be one way out of our financial rut, argue Bill Gale and Ben Harris. An effective tax code can buoy an economic recovery; down the road, taxation can help achieve the Obama administration's goals in health care, in energy policy and, ultimately, for fiscal balance.

Tax Reform’s Challenges and Opportunities

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:45:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 05, 2008, 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM

A new administration presents an ideal opportunity to reshape the nation’s tax code. Improving the equity, simplicity and efficiency of the tax system will help to better prepare taxpayers, businesses and the economy for the challenges that lay ahead. Brookings, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and Tax Analysts co-hosted a forum to explore timely policy recommendations for the incoming president and his transition team.

The Scouting Report: Fix the Tax System

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 03, 2008, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

The U.S. tax code is too complex, often supports misguided incentives, and raises inadequate revenue to support government spending. William Gale, vice president and director of Economic Studies, answered questions in a live web chat with Politico's Jeanne Cummings, chief lobbying and influence writer, about strengthening and improving our nation’s tax code.

Obama's Economic Priorities

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:07:14 GMT

President-elect Obama held his first press conference today, focusing on the economy. Kling commented on Obama’s address saying the nation needs two rounds of stimulus to kick-start the economy—the first to stem recent job losses and help homeowners, and then to focus on longer-term growth.

Taxes under Obama and McCain

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Gale and Benjamin Harris discuss the tax proposals set forth by the presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

Main Street Needs a New Stimulus

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Martin Baily recommends an immediate stimulus package of $200 billion, with preparation of an additional $100 billion to be triggered if unemployment goes over 7.5 percent to prevent the U.S. economy from trending further into the danger zone.

Fed Chairman Signals Support for New Stimulus Package

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wall Street saw a boost Monday as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress that a second stimulus bill might help the economy. Martin Baily and William Beach examine the prospects for a new stimulus plan.

Insurance Pricing Can Cut Gas Use

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There is little lawmakers can do in the short run to reduce prices at the pump, argue Jason Bordoff and Pascal Noel. What if there were a way to lower the cost of driving while still encouraging people to drive less and use less oil? The authors examine how pay-as-you-drive auto insurance supports this goal.

A Balanced Approach to Restoring Fiscal Responsibility

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With baby boomers beginning to retire and health care spending outpacing income growth, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security face an uncertain financial future. Henry Aaron, Charles Schultze and other experts propose a radical change in budget procedures to address the budget deficits currently projected for future decades.

Candidate Issue Index: Fiscal Responsibility

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Isabel Sawhill presents leading presidential candidates' positions on issues of fiscal responsibility, including: taxes, government programs and budgetary process issues . This chart is part of a series of issue indices to be published during the 2008 presidential election cycle.

Distributional Effects of the 2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Gale, Doug Elmendorf, Jason Furman and Benjamin Harris reexamine the distributional effects of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, incorporating the financing of the tax changes, and the implications of behavioral responses for economic growth, incomes, and well-being factors. Compared with the standard analysis, this “dynamic distributional analysis” shows that the benefits of these tax cuts were much smaller, on average, and much more skewed toward people with higher incomes.

Metro Raise: Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit to Help Metropolitan Workers and Families

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Slowed economic growth and rising prices for necessities like food, transportation, and child care threaten to exacerbate the challenges already facing America's low-income workers and their families. The federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) could do more to help close the growing gap between stagnant wages and rising prices. "Metro Raise" demonstrates how an expanded and modernized EITC would benefit families and communities in the nation's major metropolitan areas.

Missing Markets: Why Markets that Can Reduce Risks are Missing and What Can be Done About It

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this overview paper, Jason Furman examines reasons why markets that could reduce risks are missing and what the government can do to foster markets in these areas. He xplains that certain laws and regulations, market failures and behavioral biases of consumers act as barriers to market formation.

Stabilizing State and Local Budgets: A Proposal for Tax-Base Insurance

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The volatility of state tax revenues can force states and localities to cut back on necessary programs or raise taxes at a time when the state economy is already suffering. Akash Deep and Robert Z. Lawrence explain that pooling the risk of tax revenue losses could compensate states and localities for lost tax revenue and allow them to respond to fiscal crises without raising taxes or cutting services.

Periodic Payment of the Earned Income Tax Credit

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Many low-income working families would benefit from a streamlined ability to access the proceeds of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) throughout the year as they pay for ongoing expenses like housing, child care, and transportation. The federal government should consider adopting a model for direct periodic payment of the EITC, as most other countries with in-work tax credits provide.

Health Reform Through Tax Reform: A Primer

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Tax incentives for employer-sponsored insurance and other medical spending cost about $200 billion annually and have pervasive effects on coverage and costs. In this paper, Jason Furman surveys a range of proposals to reform health care, either by adding new tax incentives or by limiting or replacing the existing tax incentives.

The Tax System: Too Complex, Unfair and Outdated

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Stimulus checks are a bright note in this year’s tax season. But, William Gale asserts, the annual tax-filing ritual is otherwise complicated and outdated. He recommends that the presidential candidates advocate changes like streamlining tax incentives and allowing some taxpayers to pay without filing returns.

Individual Taxpayers and Federal Tax Reform

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Taxpayers are overwhelmed by complexity, real and imagined, in the tax code. Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, William Gale said that, although the need to simplify the tax system is one goal that everyone accepts, every year the system becomes more complex.

Facing the Music: The Fiscal Outlook at the End of the Bush Administration

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Alan J. Auerbach, Jason Furman and William Gale discuss the most recent Congressional Budget Office baseline projection, and use it to examine the causes of the fiscal decline since 2000 and the medium- and longer-term fiscal outlook.

The Gas Tax "Holiday"

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:09:46 GMT

The idea of a gas tax "holiday" is now prominent in the presidential race but is gaining little traction in Congress. William Gale says that giving drivers a summer break from gas taxes may have political legs but will not help consumers at the pump. What is needed, Gale says, is a serious debate about the real issues.

The Concept of Neutrality in Tax Policy

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on Tax Day—April 15, Jason Furman described how policy-makers can make the tax code more efficient by following principles of "tax neutrality" so that individuals' decisions are made on economic merits and not for tax reasons.

Bridging the Gap: Refundable Tax Credits in Metropolitan and Rural America

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, Elizbeth Kneebone examines the changing distribution of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) recipients across large cites and suburbs, smaller metro areas, and rural communities throughout the country. While taxpayers in large cities and rural areas were the most likely to claim the EITC in 2005, more than one-third of EITC filers lived in the suburbs of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas.

Path to Prosperity : Hamilton Project Ideas on Income Security, Education, and Taxes

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT

This book focuses on three key criteria for fostering broadly shared economic growth: enhancing economic security, building a highly skilled work force, and reforming the tax system.

Taxes and Health Insurance: Analysis and Policy

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 29, 2008, 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM

In a conference co-sponsored by the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and the American Tax Policy Institute, some of the nation’s foremost tax and health care experts presented results of research evaluating the effectiveness of tax policy in expanding health insurance coverage and controlling health care spending.

The Impact of Rising Global Food Prices

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

International food prices are rising globally, prompting many countries to adjust tariffs to attract or keep more food domestically. Homi Kharas, Senior Fellow, Wolfensohn Center for Development, recently discussed the tariffs with NPR, noting how policies are impacting production and consumption patterns globally.

Three Keys to Effective Fiscal Stimulus

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With a weakening economy, most agree that any well-designed stimulus should be timely, temporary and targeted. Douglas W. Elmendorf and Jason Furman advocate that the "three T" principles are critical to ensure that any benefits do not come at the expense of serious long-run harm.

Reward and Facilitate Work

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Although the overall economy has grown reasonably well in the last six years, the gains have not filtered down and the share of Americans in poverty has risen. Jason Furman suggests policy improvements to better facilitate the American dream.

Facilitating and Rewarding Work

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 12, 2007, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

On December 12, the Hamilton Project at Brookings hosted a two-part forum at the National Press Club on ways to encourage, facilitate and reward work. Besides releasing a new Hamilton Project strategy paper, the forum highlighted four new and forthcoming discussion papers.

2016: Too Long to Wait for Tax Reform

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Simplifying a complex and inequitable tax system can take years, history has shown. Jason Furman urges prompt action now that the new Ways and Means tax reform proposal offers a solid starting point.

Corporate Taxes, in Need of Reform

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The system for taxing business is broken; Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel is proposing a fix. Senior Fellow Jason Furman argues that the Rangel plan opens an important discussion that others—including the Bush Administration—should join.

Q&A on Tax Reform

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:27:44 GMT

The one thing that everyone agrees on is that taxes shouldn’t be so complicated. Yet every year, they get more complex. William Gale explains how the next president can move quickly to make the tax code simple, equitable, stable and promote economic growth.

Speech on the Economy, Opportunity and Tax Policy with Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:45:00 GMT

Event Information:

September 18, 2007 at 12:45 PM

The Tax Policy Center and Brookings's Opportunity 08 project hosted Senator Barack Obama for a speech on the economy, opportunity and tax policy.

Fair and Equitable Tax Policy

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hamilton Project Director Jason Furman testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on fair and equitable tax policy for America's working families.

Don't Raise that Gas Tax...Yet!

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In the wake of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, President Bush shot down a suggestion that the federal government increase the gas tax to raise more money for transportation.

The Federal Budget, Third Edition : Politics, Policies, Process

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this third edition of his classic book The Federal Budget, Allen Schick examines how surpluses projected during the final years of the Clinton presidency turned into oversized deficits under George W. Bush.

The Importance of the EITC to Urban Economies

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Though most do not recognize it as an "urban" program, the Earned Income Tax Credit provides significant benefits to families in cities and suburbs, and stimulates local economic activity. In this presentation to Congressional staff organized by Living Cities, Alan Berube examines what Members can do to maximize the benefits of the EITC for lower-income families and communities in their districts.

Encouraging Homeownership Through the Tax Code

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Bill Gale and co-authors advocate examine the mortgage interest deduction and argue for new proposals that would be less expensive, more progressive and more effective in encouraging homeownership.

Reforming Taxation in the Global Age

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 12, 2007, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution hosted a forum and released a new set of policy proposals that address the challenges of reforming the U.S. tax system in an increasingly global economy. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers opened the discussion by providing an overview of a new Hamilton Project strategy paper that frames the challenges facing the current U.S. system of taxation and offers six guiding principles for progressively reforming the tax code.

Rehabilitating the Business Income Tax

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

This paper introduces the Business Enterprise Income Tax (BEIT), a comprehensive and detailed proposal for reforming business income taxation. Current law fails to tax all business income consistently and comprehensively. It distorts economic behavior and diverts managerial effort toward tax avoidance.

Taxing Privilege More Effectively: Replacing the Estate Tax with an Inheritance Tax

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The repeal of the estate tax for one year only in 2010 creates vast uncertainty but also provides an opportunity to reconsider the taxation of gifts and bequests. This paper proposes replacing the estate tax with an inheritance tax.

Reforming Corporate Taxation in a Global Economy: A Proposal to Adopt Formulary Apportionment

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The current system of taxing multinational firms relies on separate accounting: firms account for earnings and costs in each location in which they operate. This system generates a large tax incentive to earn income in low-tax countries, and multinational firms respond by earning disproportionate profits in low-tax locations.

Achieving Progressive Tax Reform in an Increasingly Global Economy

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The progressive tax system, and the nation's fiscal system more broadly, have historically played an important role in expanding opportunities for all Americans while reducing inequality. But the same dynamic forces of technological change, financial innovation, and globalization that have contributed to rising income inequality also present new challenges for progressive taxation.

Subsidizing Higher Education through Tax and Spending Programs

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In 1997, Congress enacted a number of tax benefits directed toward helping middle- and upper-middle income groups meet rising college costs. This shift in goals and strategies raises concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the evolving federal approach to higher education. This policy brief analyzes who benefits from the major direct spending program, Pell grants, and the three tax subsidies that most closely resemble grants, the Hope and Lifetime Learning credits and the deduction for tuition and fees.

A Local Ladder for Low-Income Workers: Recent Trends in the Earned Income Tax Credit

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, Elizabeth Kneebone examines how receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) increased between 2000 and 2004 in response to economic challenges. Increases were largest in the suburbs of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, which today contain 2.4 million more EITC recipients than central cities.

Restoring Fiscal Sanity 2007 : The Health Spending Challenge

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Exceeding $2 trillion annually, health care spending in the United States is growing significantly faster than the national economy. If left unchecked, this health spending crisis will threaten Americans' ability to pay for other essential services.

Fixing the Tax System: Support Fairer, Simpler, and More Adequate Taxation

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A good tax system raises the revenues needed to finance government spending in a manner that is as simple, equitable, stable, and conducive to economic growth as possible. But the challenge for the next President will be to make reform work not just in the abstract, but in the real world, where special interests often rule the roost. The next President should support reforms that would tax all income once (only) at the full tax rate, simplify and streamline the tax code, and, of course, raise sufficient revenues.

The Earned Income Tax Credit

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Ron Haskins (2/22/07)

New Directions in Health Policy: A Discussion of the President's Tax-Based Health Insurance Proposals

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 13:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 09, 2007, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Taming the Deficit: A Bipartisan Plan to Balance the Budget

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 07, 2007, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

A distinguished panel of experts offered their bipartisan plan of spending cuts and revenue enhancements to balance the budget in the next five years, and set the nation on a sustainable fiscal course for the long run. Participants included G. William Hoagland, former director of budget and appropriations for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.); Charles Stenholm, former Member of Congress from Texas; and Isabel Sawhill, a Brookings senior fellow.

Options to Close the Long-run Fiscal Gap

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Jason Furman (1/31/07)

The President's Health Insurance Proposal - A First Look

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In his State of the Union address, President Bush will propose to replace most current tax exclusions and deductions for health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs with a new $15,000 standard deduction ($7,500 for single people) in the federal income tax-as well as an exemption from payroll taxes-for all taxpayers who obtain qualifying health insurance. The plan would eliminate the current bias in favor of health insurance obtained through employers, provide tax incentives for the purchase of health insurance in the private market, and reduce current tax incentives to over-spend on healthcare services. As designed, the proposal would be revenue neutral over ten years, after which it would generate a growing stream of revenue.

The innovative plan is a major step toward improving the efficiency of the market for health insurance. By severing the link between work and insurance, it would offer everyone the same tax incentives to obtain insurance coverage and limit spending on health care. Whether it would succeed in meeting its objectives in a fair way is less clear.

Options to Fix the Alternative Minimum Tax

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) was originally designed to limit the amount of tax sheltering that taxpayers could pursue and to assure that high-income filers paid at least some tax. The current AMT, however, has strayed far from those original goals. Under current law, the tax will affect over 23 million taxpayers in 2007—many of them solidly middle-class—and mainly for reasons that have little or nothing to do with what most people would consider tax sheltering.

Cool-headed, Warm-hearted Economics

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Peter Orszag (12/3/2006)

Using EITC to Stimulate Local Economies

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Local and regional leaders across the U.S. have come to view the Earned Income Tax Credit as a critical investment in their economies. This paper explores the benefits to families and communities that can result from actions to realize the full potential of the credit.

Using IRS Data in Tax Outreach Campaigns

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation at the National Community Tax Coalition annual conference, Alan Berube discusses the Brookings interactive tax data website, and how local coalitions can use the data to measure, target, and expand the services they provide to lower-income taxpayers.

Promoting Fiscal Discipline and Broad-Based Economic Growth

Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Peter Orszag, Senate Budget Committee (9/28/06)

Reforming Tax Incentives into Uniform Refundable Tax Credits

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Policy Brief #156: Reforming Tax Incentives into Uniform Refundable Tax Credits; by Peter R. Orszag, Fred T. Goldberg, Jr., and Lily L. Batchelder

Lessons and Limits: Tax Incentives and Rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Katrina

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This paper reviews past federal government experience in redeveloping distressed communities, outlining lessons that need to be brought to the process in the Gulf post-Katrina.

New Goals and Outcomes for Temporary Assistance: State Choices in the Decade after Enactment

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This analysis reviews spending decisions nationwide and in three states, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, under the Temporary Assistance program since its enactment in 1996.

The Simple Return: Reducing America's Tax Burden Through Return-Free Filing

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Austan Goolsbee (7/17/06)

San Francisco Delivers a Local Earned Income Tax Credit

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

One novel approach from the Bay Area may hold lessons for the rest of urban America.

'Death Tax' Repeal Unfair to Those Who Owe 'Birth Tax'

Wed, 31 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Diane Lim Rogers, San Francisco Chronicle (5/31/06)

Delivering a Local EITC: Lessons from the San Francisco Working Families Credit

Mon, 01 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This paper tells the story of the San Francisco Working Families Credit, now in its second year, explaining how the program worked in its first year of operation and describing lessons learned and best practices for those considering developing a sim

Debt is Cheating Our Children's Future

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Isabel V. Sawhill, Kansas City Star (4/23/06)

Good Reasons for Taxes

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Diane Lim Rogers, The Boston Globe (4/16/06)

Restoring America's Promise of Opportunity, Prosperity and Growth

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

April 05, 2006, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

With global competition increasing and wages stagnating, America's promise of providing an opportunity for every individual to lead a better life is in jeopardy. To restore this promise, a new economic policy project—backed by leaders from business, academia and public policy—was launched on April 5, 2006. The Hamilton Project is a unique initiative at the Brookings Institution designed to inject new policy options from leading economic thinkers across the country into the national economic debate.

Rising Debt Is Very Scary

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Diane Lim Rogers and Andrew L. Yarrow, The Baltimore Sun (4/2/06)

Greening the Tax Code

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In recent years several Republican and Democratic governors have imposed new pollution taxes, often winning bipartisan acclaim. A growing number of commentators have supported such measures at the federal level.

Improving Opportunities and Incentives for Saving by Middle- and Low-Income Households

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Hamilton Project Paper by William G. Gale, Jonathan Gruber, Peter R. Orszag (April 2006)

Event Summary: The President's Budget and the Long-Term Fiscal Outlook

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Event Summary on The President's Budget and the Long-Term Fiscal Outlook (February 10, 2006)

New Estimates of the Budget Outlook: Plus Ca Change, Plus C'est la Meme Chose

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Despite substantial attention given to fiscal policy concerns in recent years, the federal government's fiscal status has continued to deteriorate, with the enactment of tax cuts, a massive new Medicare entitlement, increased spending on defense and homeland security, and related economic developments. This paper provides new estimates of the nation's fiscal status over both the 10-year and long-term horizon, based on the most recent (January 2006) CBO official budget figures (2006).

The Earned Income Tax Credit at Age 30: An Overview

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this presentation to the European Union Labour Counsellors, Alan Berube discusses how the EITC works, whom it benefits, what effects it has on work and poverty, and what issues surround the credit as it enters its 31st year.

The Budget Crisis: Is It All Déjà Vu?

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This paper looks back at the efforts after 1981 to resolve the conflict over how to reduce the budget deficit. Large and sustained budget deficits have re-emerged as a central focus of the debate over U.S. economic policy. The parallels between today's situation and the large deficits of the 1980s are striking in several dimensions. Is it possible that history will simply repeat itself, and a return to the budget discipline of the 1990s will again restore balance?

Taxing the Future : Fiscal Policy in the Bush Administration

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This book provides an economic assessment of the Bush administrations past and ongoing drive for tax cuts. William Gale and Peter Orszag, noted scholars in tax policy, provide historical context for the administrations tax policy and examine its ef

The Earned Income Tax Credit at Age 30: What We Know

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

This research brief by Steve Holt reviews the structure and history of the EITC, summarizing key research into the people and places it affects as well as its impact on important socioeconomic measures.

The New Safety Net: How the Tax Code Helped Low-Income Working Families During the Early 2000s

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

In this report, Alan Berube examines how receipt of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expanded nationwide from 2000 to 2003 in response to a weakened economy.

A Preliminary Evaluation of the Tax Reform Panel's Report

Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Leonard E. Burman and William G. Gale, Tax Break (12/5/05)

Tax Reform in an Open Economy

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 08:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 02, 2005, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The Tax Reform Proposals: Some Good Ideas, but Show Me the Money

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Leonard E. Burman and Wiliam G. Gale, Economists' Voice (December 2005)

The Evolving Pension System : Trends, Effects, and Proposals for Reform

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT

The Evolving Pension System examines the foundations and the future of the private pension system. It provides a broad overview of the underlying assumptions, characteristics, and effects of existing pension policy, as well as alternative view

Chump-Change Budget Cuts

Sat, 12 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Isabel V. Sawhill and Andrew L. Yarrow, Los Angeles Times (11/12/05)

Raise a Glass to a Fair Tax Hike

Mon, 07 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Henry J. Aaron and George A. Hacker, Knight-Ridder Newspapers (11/7/05)