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Informing the debate on tax policy nationwide with research and data-driven solutions.
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More info: linktr.ee/_itep
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In recent years, we've seen enormous tax cuts handed to the richest people in the U.S.
It's no surprise that trend coincides with a huge uptick in their political spending.
And what do they want in return? More tax cuts, of course.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
It's no surprise that trend coincides with a huge uptick in their political spending.
And what do they want in return? More tax cuts, of course.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
How billionaires took over American politics
The current concentration of wealth is unlike anything in history. So is billionaires’ involvement in politics.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
In recent years, we've seen enormous tax cuts handed to the richest people in the U.S.
It's no surprise that trend coincides with a huge uptick in their political spending.
And what do they want in return? More tax cuts, of course.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
It's no surprise that trend coincides with a huge uptick in their political spending.
And what do they want in return? More tax cuts, of course.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
“The folks who are really going to be impacted are people who are really trying to do the right thing, the people authorized to work and paying their taxes.”
The Trump admin is slowly pushing more people out of tax benefits that they work and pay for.
apnews.com/article/trea...
The Trump admin is slowly pushing more people out of tax benefits that they work and pay for.
apnews.com/article/trea...
Treasury plans to change tax credit eligibility in a move critics say will hurt immigrant taxpayers
The U.S. Treasury Department plans to reclassify certain refundable tax credits as "federal public benefits," barring undocumented immigrants and some noncitizens from receiving them.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:16 PM
“The folks who are really going to be impacted are people who are really trying to do the right thing, the people authorized to work and paying their taxes.”
The Trump admin is slowly pushing more people out of tax benefits that they work and pay for.
apnews.com/article/trea...
The Trump admin is slowly pushing more people out of tax benefits that they work and pay for.
apnews.com/article/trea...
State governments are rushing to subsidize data centers without understanding their full costs.
These revenue losses add to the concerning fiscal and environmental costs of data centers.
itep.org/states-are-o...
These revenue losses add to the concerning fiscal and environmental costs of data centers.
itep.org/states-are-o...
States Are Opening a Pandora’s Box of Data Centers
State governments are rushing to offer billions of dollars in subsidies to data center construction, apparently without understanding their full costs.
itep.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
State governments are rushing to subsidize data centers without understanding their full costs.
These revenue losses add to the concerning fiscal and environmental costs of data centers.
itep.org/states-are-o...
These revenue losses add to the concerning fiscal and environmental costs of data centers.
itep.org/states-are-o...
Santa Fe’s mansion tax is back after being deemed legal by the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
This tax on mansion sales - approved by 76% of the city's voters in 2023 - paves the way for the city to have a much larger revenue stream for affordable housing.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
This tax on mansion sales - approved by 76% of the city's voters in 2023 - paves the way for the city to have a much larger revenue stream for affordable housing.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
Appeals Court rules Santa Fe can proceed with 'mansion tax,' overturning lower court decision
Passed as a ballot measure in the 2023 election, a 3% tax on home sales over $1 million was declared unlawful by a District Court judge.
www.santafenewmexican.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Santa Fe’s mansion tax is back after being deemed legal by the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
This tax on mansion sales - approved by 76% of the city's voters in 2023 - paves the way for the city to have a much larger revenue stream for affordable housing.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
This tax on mansion sales - approved by 76% of the city's voters in 2023 - paves the way for the city to have a much larger revenue stream for affordable housing.
www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
Several major cities use vacancy taxes to address housing shortages and unproductive land use.
But vacancy taxes won't single-handedly solve those problems.
They're useful as a small part of a focused, comprehensive plan to improve communities.
itep.org/vacancy-tax-...
But vacancy taxes won't single-handedly solve those problems.
They're useful as a small part of a focused, comprehensive plan to improve communities.
itep.org/vacancy-tax-...
Local Vacancy Taxes: A Tool but Not a Panacea
Vacancy taxes will not single-handedly solve problems in cities, but they are worth considering to address housing shortages, land use, and building thriving communities.
itep.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Several major cities use vacancy taxes to address housing shortages and unproductive land use.
But vacancy taxes won't single-handedly solve those problems.
They're useful as a small part of a focused, comprehensive plan to improve communities.
itep.org/vacancy-tax-...
But vacancy taxes won't single-handedly solve those problems.
They're useful as a small part of a focused, comprehensive plan to improve communities.
itep.org/vacancy-tax-...
The Opportunity Zone program has largely failed to reach the communities that most need help.
Instead, it’s yet another program that benefits wealthy investors.
States can decouple from this program and save much needed revenue for their communities.
itep.org/state-tax-sh...
Instead, it’s yet another program that benefits wealthy investors.
States can decouple from this program and save much needed revenue for their communities.
itep.org/state-tax-sh...
State Tax Dollars Shouldn’t Subsidize Federal Opportunity Zones
The Opportunity Zones program benefits wealthy investors more than it benefits disadvantaged communities.
itep.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The Opportunity Zone program has largely failed to reach the communities that most need help.
Instead, it’s yet another program that benefits wealthy investors.
States can decouple from this program and save much needed revenue for their communities.
itep.org/state-tax-sh...
Instead, it’s yet another program that benefits wealthy investors.
States can decouple from this program and save much needed revenue for their communities.
itep.org/state-tax-sh...
Pennsylvania has now adopted an Earned Income Tax Credit, providing $193 million a year to low- and middle-income families.
This tax credit boosts low-paid workers’ incomes and helps them achieve greater economic security.
penncapital-star.com/government-p...
This tax credit boosts low-paid workers’ incomes and helps them achieve greater economic security.
penncapital-star.com/government-p...
135 days late, $50.1 billion Pennsylvania budget earns bipartisan support • Pennsylvania Capital-Star
The budget, Shapiro’s third, increases overall spending by 4.7% compared to the previous year but represents a $1.4 billion reduction from his proposal in February.
penncapital-star.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Pennsylvania has now adopted an Earned Income Tax Credit, providing $193 million a year to low- and middle-income families.
This tax credit boosts low-paid workers’ incomes and helps them achieve greater economic security.
penncapital-star.com/government-p...
This tax credit boosts low-paid workers’ incomes and helps them achieve greater economic security.
penncapital-star.com/government-p...
The Treasury is now selectively giving out tax cuts to cryptocurrency companies, energy corporations, and private equity firms.
This administration is ignoring parts of our tax laws solely to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
itep.org/trump-goes-o...
This administration is ignoring parts of our tax laws solely to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
itep.org/trump-goes-o...
Trump Goes Outside the Law to Give Even More Tax Cuts to the Wealthy
Trump's Treasury is overstepping far beyond its constitutional role by giving unlegislated tax cuts to the wealthy.
itep.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The Treasury is now selectively giving out tax cuts to cryptocurrency companies, energy corporations, and private equity firms.
This administration is ignoring parts of our tax laws solely to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
itep.org/trump-goes-o...
This administration is ignoring parts of our tax laws solely to benefit corporations and the wealthy.
itep.org/trump-goes-o...
"The $2,000 dividend idea is a not-even-slightly-baked idea that popped into the President’s mind and should not be taken seriously, except as a demonstration of how unserious he is about helping anyone who is not rich."
itep.org/dont-hold-yo...
itep.org/dont-hold-yo...
Don’t Hold Your Breath Waiting for a Tariff Dividend from Trump
Trump gives a promise, with absolutely no plan, to give $2,000 to every American using tariff revenue.
itep.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
"The $2,000 dividend idea is a not-even-slightly-baked idea that popped into the President’s mind and should not be taken seriously, except as a demonstration of how unserious he is about helping anyone who is not rich."
itep.org/dont-hold-yo...
itep.org/dont-hold-yo...
Reposted by ITEP
While most Kentuckians are struggling with affordability, the wealthy have been showered with enormous state and federal tax cuts passed over the last decade, a new @kypolicy.bsky.social reports shows. 1/
November 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
While most Kentuckians are struggling with affordability, the wealthy have been showered with enormous state and federal tax cuts passed over the last decade, a new @kypolicy.bsky.social reports shows. 1/
The corporate minimum tax ensures that the largest profitable corporations pay at least some taxes.
"There’s a pretty clear incentive for a fiscally responsible Congress...to make sure this backstop is working properly."
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
"There’s a pretty clear incentive for a fiscally responsible Congress...to make sure this backstop is working properly."
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump’s Tax Cuts Are Exposing Companies to Biden’s Tax Hike
Democrats’ older alternative minimum tax claws back billions of dollars in savings from the newer GOP law.
www.wsj.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The corporate minimum tax ensures that the largest profitable corporations pay at least some taxes.
"There’s a pretty clear incentive for a fiscally responsible Congress...to make sure this backstop is working properly."
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
"There’s a pretty clear incentive for a fiscally responsible Congress...to make sure this backstop is working properly."
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The Trump admin is focused on gutting the corporate minimum tax.
The Treasury Department has been enacting unlegislated tax cuts, carving out billions of dollars in breaks for huge corporations.
That's on top of the huge corp. tax cuts passed in July.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
The Treasury Department has been enacting unlegislated tax cuts, carving out billions of dollars in breaks for huge corporations.
That's on top of the huge corp. tax cuts passed in July.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Trump admin is focused on gutting the corporate minimum tax.
The Treasury Department has been enacting unlegislated tax cuts, carving out billions of dollars in breaks for huge corporations.
That's on top of the huge corp. tax cuts passed in July.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
The Treasury Department has been enacting unlegislated tax cuts, carving out billions of dollars in breaks for huge corporations.
That's on top of the huge corp. tax cuts passed in July.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
Americans want lawmakers to address the need for better public services in the face of absurd wealth inequality.
"If Congress isn’t listening to the people, it sure would be refreshing if lawmakers in New York and other states would do so."
www.wsj.com/us-news/the-...
"If Congress isn’t listening to the people, it sure would be refreshing if lawmakers in New York and other states would do so."
www.wsj.com/us-news/the-...
The Economics Behind Zohran Mamdani’s Biggest Plans
New York’s mayor-elect has promised ambitious social programs funded primarily through higher taxes on businesses and the city’s highest earners. We break down the numbers.
www.wsj.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Americans want lawmakers to address the need for better public services in the face of absurd wealth inequality.
"If Congress isn’t listening to the people, it sure would be refreshing if lawmakers in New York and other states would do so."
www.wsj.com/us-news/the-...
"If Congress isn’t listening to the people, it sure would be refreshing if lawmakers in New York and other states would do so."
www.wsj.com/us-news/the-...
Important tax measures were on the ballot this week, and the outcomes are clear: people want investments in their communities.
Voters value what they gain from paying for public services with public money.
itep.org/2025-tax-bal...
Voters value what they gain from paying for public services with public money.
itep.org/2025-tax-bal...
In 2025, Voters Said Yes to Public Resources and Community Investments
Important tax measures were on the ballot this week, and the outcomes are clear: many voters support new state and local spending to support critical services in their communities.
itep.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Important tax measures were on the ballot this week, and the outcomes are clear: people want investments in their communities.
Voters value what they gain from paying for public services with public money.
itep.org/2025-tax-bal...
Voters value what they gain from paying for public services with public money.
itep.org/2025-tax-bal...
The Trump administration is ending Direct File, the IRS's free tax-filing program. It's another win for the corporate tax prep industry.
But the success of the short-lived Direct File program can set a precedent for future Congresses and administrations.
itep.org/trump-admini...
But the success of the short-lived Direct File program can set a precedent for future Congresses and administrations.
itep.org/trump-admini...
Trump Raises the Price of Filing a Tax Return
The move was expected, given heavy lobbying from tax prep companies like Intuit and H&R Block to put a halt to the IRS’s popular Direct File program.
itep.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Trump administration is ending Direct File, the IRS's free tax-filing program. It's another win for the corporate tax prep industry.
But the success of the short-lived Direct File program can set a precedent for future Congresses and administrations.
itep.org/trump-admini...
But the success of the short-lived Direct File program can set a precedent for future Congresses and administrations.
itep.org/trump-admini...
Direct File had tremendous potential to make tax filing less expensive, faster, and easier for millions of Americans.
What stands in the way is a tax prep industry that makes billions from being the middleman between you and filing your taxes.
What stands in the way is a tax prep industry that makes billions from being the middleman between you and filing your taxes.
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Direct File had tremendous potential to make tax filing less expensive, faster, and easier for millions of Americans.
What stands in the way is a tax prep industry that makes billions from being the middleman between you and filing your taxes.
What stands in the way is a tax prep industry that makes billions from being the middleman between you and filing your taxes.
Colorado voters have decided that their wealthy residents can contribute a little more in taxes.
That revenue will fund free school meals and food assistance across the state.
Progressive taxes remain a popular choice.
www.9news.com/article/news...
That revenue will fund free school meals and food assistance across the state.
Progressive taxes remain a popular choice.
www.9news.com/article/news...
Colorado voters approve Propositions LL and MM
Both statewide measures on the Colorado ballot this election were about funding free school meals for all kids.
www.9news.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Colorado voters have decided that their wealthy residents can contribute a little more in taxes.
That revenue will fund free school meals and food assistance across the state.
Progressive taxes remain a popular choice.
www.9news.com/article/news...
That revenue will fund free school meals and food assistance across the state.
Progressive taxes remain a popular choice.
www.9news.com/article/news...
States are grappling with budget challenges and deep cuts in federal funding.
To avoid losing billions more in revenue, state lawmakers should decide not to adopt these 4 costly corporate tax provisions in the new federal law.
itep.org/states-obbba...
To avoid losing billions more in revenue, state lawmakers should decide not to adopt these 4 costly corporate tax provisions in the new federal law.
itep.org/states-obbba...
Why States Shouldn’t Go Along With OBBBA’s Corporate Tax Breaks: A Practical Guide
States should immediately decouple from four costly corporate tax provisions in the new federal tax law.
itep.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
States are grappling with budget challenges and deep cuts in federal funding.
To avoid losing billions more in revenue, state lawmakers should decide not to adopt these 4 costly corporate tax provisions in the new federal law.
itep.org/states-obbba...
To avoid losing billions more in revenue, state lawmakers should decide not to adopt these 4 costly corporate tax provisions in the new federal law.
itep.org/states-obbba...
Oil and gas companies receive enormous tax breaks in the U.S.
A @factcoalition.bsky.social report found that 11 of these companies are paying 5x more income tax to foreign governments.
And under the new Trump tax law, oil-industry tax avoidance could get worse.
itep.org/oil-gas-comp...
A @factcoalition.bsky.social report found that 11 of these companies are paying 5x more income tax to foreign governments.
And under the new Trump tax law, oil-industry tax avoidance could get worse.
itep.org/oil-gas-comp...
Oil and Gas Companies Are Paying Less Tax to the U.S. than to Foreign Governments
Since 2017, these companies paid $135 billion in income taxes to foreign governments, but just $29 billion to the U.S.
itep.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Oil and gas companies receive enormous tax breaks in the U.S.
A @factcoalition.bsky.social report found that 11 of these companies are paying 5x more income tax to foreign governments.
And under the new Trump tax law, oil-industry tax avoidance could get worse.
itep.org/oil-gas-comp...
A @factcoalition.bsky.social report found that 11 of these companies are paying 5x more income tax to foreign governments.
And under the new Trump tax law, oil-industry tax avoidance could get worse.
itep.org/oil-gas-comp...
Meta was recently hit with a $16 billion tax bill.
Despite a lavish summer of corporate tax cuts, Meta’s tax increase is entirely attributable to an important tax reform championed by the Biden administration in 2022.
itep.org/meta-tax-16-...
Despite a lavish summer of corporate tax cuts, Meta’s tax increase is entirely attributable to an important tax reform championed by the Biden administration in 2022.
itep.org/meta-tax-16-...
Biden Tax Reforms Take a $16 Billion Bite Out of Trump’s Big Tax Giveaway to Meta
Meta’s earnings setback is entirely attributable to an important tax reform championed by the Biden administration in 2022.
itep.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Meta was recently hit with a $16 billion tax bill.
Despite a lavish summer of corporate tax cuts, Meta’s tax increase is entirely attributable to an important tax reform championed by the Biden administration in 2022.
itep.org/meta-tax-16-...
Despite a lavish summer of corporate tax cuts, Meta’s tax increase is entirely attributable to an important tax reform championed by the Biden administration in 2022.
itep.org/meta-tax-16-...
Wealth inequality gets worse when working households pay more in taxes than wealthy owners.
States have a simple way to address this problem and raise much-needed revenue.
It's well past time for a Wealth Proceeds Tax.
States have a simple way to address this problem and raise much-needed revenue.
It's well past time for a Wealth Proceeds Tax.
October 30, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Wealth inequality gets worse when working households pay more in taxes than wealthy owners.
States have a simple way to address this problem and raise much-needed revenue.
It's well past time for a Wealth Proceeds Tax.
States have a simple way to address this problem and raise much-needed revenue.
It's well past time for a Wealth Proceeds Tax.
The government gives tax breaks to the wealthy for buying private jets.
But health care tax credits that support millions of middle- and low-income Americans get cut.
Yet another example that shows we have two tax codes, one for the rich and one for everyone else.
But health care tax credits that support millions of middle- and low-income Americans get cut.
Yet another example that shows we have two tax codes, one for the rich and one for everyone else.
October 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The government gives tax breaks to the wealthy for buying private jets.
But health care tax credits that support millions of middle- and low-income Americans get cut.
Yet another example that shows we have two tax codes, one for the rich and one for everyone else.
But health care tax credits that support millions of middle- and low-income Americans get cut.
Yet another example that shows we have two tax codes, one for the rich and one for everyone else.
