Despite their passion and fury, contemporary Americans are remarkably clueless about how their tax system works. But with heated debates over taxation now roiling Congress and the nation, an understanding of the American tax system is of vital importance. Taxes in America, by preeminent tax...

There is widespread agreement in Washington that the income tax needs to be reformed, although little agreement about how to do it. A common thread in most reform proposals is that they would slash most so-called tax expenditures—spending programs run through the tax system. This follows...

This paper examines the history and economic effects of the BDT in Colombia. Section II reviews the history of the BDT in Colombia. Section III discusses its use throughout Latin America. Section IV examines the effects of Colombia’s BDT on efficiency, equity, and tax administration. Section V...

Explores the evidence on how tax-favored savings accounts affect national saving. Looked at in terms of the traditional life-cycle model of savings, such accounts would not be expected to increase national savings; because of the limitation on annual contributions, the tax incentive might well...

The emergence of large and apparently growing budget surpluses represents a paradigm shift for tax policy. This speech examines and dismisses some contrarian views about the effect of surpluses on fiscal well being, and then addresses three questions: (1) Is the surplus real? (2) Do surpluses or...

Analyzes the efficiency costs of promoting access to health care through subsidies for employment-based insurance. Suggests that alternative policies may meet the same objectives.

Discusses the revenue consequences of cutting tax rates on capital gains. Develops a model of taxpayer responses to transitory (not permanent) tax changes and tests its implications using data on asset transactions in the Sales of Capital Assets panel compiled by the IRS. Finds evidence that...

Continuation of current U.S. fiscal policy will lead to an enormous accumulation of debt with potentially disastrous economic consequences. Exacerbated by the recent economic turmoil and fueled by the willingness of creditors to lend at very low interest rates, there is significant risk that...

The term "tax expenditure" refers to departures from the normal tax structure designed to favor a particular industry, activity, or class of persons. Most budget experts view the tax expenditure budget as a useful tool in managing the size and scope of the federal government, but a growing...