VIDEO
William G. Gale, June 05, 2009
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.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale, May 04, 2009, National Journal
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. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Washington, DC
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. Read More
VIDEO
William G. Gale, April 15, 2009
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.
PAST EVENT
Friday, February 20, 2009
9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Washington, DC
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale and Benjamin H. Harris, December 08, 2008, Tallahassee Democrat
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. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, December 05, 2008
8:45 AM to 4:30 PM
Washington, DC
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale and Benjamin Harris, December 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, 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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Henry J. Aaron, June 24, 2008, House Committee on the Budget
Henry J. Aaron testified before the House Committee on the Budget about H.R. 3654, a bill that would establish a federal budget commission to "reform tax policy and entitlement benefit programs and ensure a sound fiscal future." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Akash Deep and Robert Z. Lawrence, June 05, 2008, Hamilton Project Discussion Paper
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale, May 15, 2008, The Sacramento Bee
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Jason Furman, May 15, 2008, Project HOPE/ Health Affairs
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William G. Gale, May 13, 2008, Senate Finance Committee
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Jason Furman, November 07, 2007, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More