The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
What's New
Don’t Be Fooled by Treasury’s Jekyll and Hyde Approach to Tax Enforcement
December 31, 2025 • By Matthew Gardner
While this guidance is sorely needed to clean up the mess created by a hasty Congress, these notices stand in sharp contrast to the deregulatory, anti-tax approach that the Treasury Department has taken.
Pennsylvania Just Gave Low-Income Workers a Tax Credit Boost. Now It’s Philadelphia’s Turn.
December 30, 2025 • By Kamolika Das
In the same way states are building upon federal tax credits, localities should consider building on state tax credits.
2025: The Year in Tax Policy
December 23, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
From Congressional discussions over the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to debates on property taxes, ITEP kept busy this year analyzing tax proposals and showing Americans across the country how tax decisions affect them.
‘Tax the Rich,’ Says … Mitt Romney?
December 22, 2025 • By Matthew Gardner
His 900-word New York Times op-ed identifies some sensible federal tax reform ideas that would create a fairer, more sustainable tax system.
States Can Create or Expand Refundable Credits by Taxing Wealth, Addressing Federal Conformity
December 19, 2025 • By Zachary Sarver
Many states already recognize the potential of these credits to boost low- and moderate-income households. Other states should follow suit.
ITEP in the News
Newsweek: US Property Tax Changes Coming in 2026
HeraldNet: Editorial: ‘Millionaires’ tax’ can deliver fairness, revenue
New York Times: Trump Has a New Auto Loan Tax Break. Here’s Who Could Benefit.
Indiana Capitol Chronicle: Indiana Lawmakers To Weigh Joining Trump’s Tax Cuts
Associated Press: States Faces a Choice on Whether To Embrace Trump’s Tax Cuts on Tips, Overtime and More
ITEP Work in Action
Washington Governor's Office: Governor Ferguson Announces Support for Millionaires’ Tax
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: In New Poll, Kentuckians Say Income Tax Cuts Aren’t Helping
Public Assets Institute: State of Working Vermont 2025
NC Budget & Tax Center: Jan. 1: Tax cuts for the rich in NC — still no state budget
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Tax Conformity Decisions Will Shape Maine’s Future (Part 1: Maine Shouldn’t Fall for Policy Gimmicks)
Across the States
On the Map
State Rundown 12/10: 'Tis the Season to Reclaim Lost Revenue
property tax debates are taking place throughout the nation.
Taxes on Adult-Use Cannabis in Each State
Twenty-three states have legalized the sale of cannabis for general adult use. Every state allowing legal sales applies an excise tax to cannabis based on…
When Did Your State Enact a Child Tax Credit?
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is an important tool to fight child poverty and help families make ends meet. When designed well, it can also…
State & Local Tax Policy
Pennsylvania Just Gave Low-Income Workers a Tax Credit Boost. Now It’s Philadelphia’s Turn.
December 30, 2025 • By Kamolika Das
2025: The Year in Tax Policy
December 23, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
States Can Create or Expand Refundable Credits by Taxing Wealth, Addressing Federal Conformity
December 19, 2025 • By Zachary Sarver
Texas Property Tax Plan Mimics California’s Damaging Prop 13
December 19, 2025 • By Neva Butkus, Rita Jefferson
State Rundown 12/17: Tax Policy ‘Naughty or Nice’ List Has Late Entrants
December 17, 2025 • By ITEP Staff
No, Scott Bessent: States Aren’t Taking Away Anyone’s Tax Cuts
December 11, 2025 • By Nick Johnson
Linking to Tipped and Overtime Income Deductions Would Worsen State Shortfalls, Do Little to Help Workers
December 8, 2025 • By Galen Hendricks, Neva Butkus
Not-So-Free Kick: How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Cost Cities Millions
December 5, 2025 • By Page Gray
The ITEP Guide to State & Local Taxes
The ITEP Guide to State & Local Taxes offers citizens, advocates, journalists, and policymakers a detailed primer on state and local tax policy. Learn more about the three main sources of revenue (income, property, and sales) and the major principles that shape tax codes and discussions.
Tax Principles
Income & Profits
Property & Wealth
Sales & Use
Other Revenues
Expert's View
Carl Davis
Research Director
The Geographic Distribution of Extreme Wealth in the U.S.
Excessive concentration of wealth runs counter to our national aspiration for genuine equality of opportunity, and it saps the vitality of our democracy through the consolidation of power and influence. Tax policy offers a powerful means of beginning to address our nation’s stark level of inequality, but current law is clearly falling short of its potential.
– Carl Davis
Research Director
Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy Director
Washington Post: Trump’s tax law includes a $40,000 SALT cap. Here’s who qualifies.
SALT cap or no SALT cap, the mega bill overall is a bonanza for the rich in every state.
– Steve Wamhoff
Federal Policy Director
Kamolika Das
Local Policy Director
USA Today: Would Mamdani’s ‘Millionaire Tax’ Chase the Rich Out of New York City?
Tax policies just really don’t drive relocation decisions, they’ve been claiming this for a long time, and there’s just very scant evidence to support it.
– Kamolika Das
Local Policy Director
Miles Trinidad
State Analyst
CT Mirror: Sales tax holidays under fire as CT launches its promotion
A two- to three-day sales-tax-free shopping spree for selected items does nothing to reduce taxes for low- and moderate-income taxpayers during the other 362 days of the year.
– Miles Trinidad
State Analyst
Institute on Taxation
and Economic Policy
ITEP is a non-profit, non-partisan tax policy organization. We conduct rigorous analyses of tax and economic proposals and provide data-driven recommendations to shape equitable and sustainable tax systems.
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