Cigarette Smuggling Keeps Illinois Residents in Affordable Smokes
High tobacco taxes neither raise revenue nor discourage smoking.
Taxes
State Legislatures and City Governments Are Going to Battle Over Food Taxes
Will Philly soda tax win cause local food taxes to "bubble up," or could it spur still more states to squash local food taxes?
House Republicans Want Permanent Tax Cuts They Can't Pay For
GOP legislators released their "Tax Reform 2.0" proposal, which aims to make last year's tax cuts permanent, adding trillions to the $21 trillion debt.
More and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission
The granting or withholding of that approval is a powerful lever over our lives.
Four Blue States File Dubious Lawsuit Against Cap on Federal Tax Deduction for State Tax Payments [updated with brief response to Michael Ramsey]
The lawsuit contends that the Constitution requires a federal tax deduction for "all or a significant portion" of state income tax payments. It relies on badly flawed constitutional arguments to try to prop up a badly flawed policy.
Top White House Adviser Wrong About the Deficit, According to White House Report
Trump adviser Larry Kudlow says the tax law will bring the deficit down. An administration report shows that's not right.
San Francisco Ballot Initiative Would Tax Ridesharing Companies, Internet Sales, and Robot Cars
City Supervisor Aaron Peskin is on a quest to tax everything good about the 21st century.
Four Blue States Scream 'Federalism' and Sue to Stop Changes in Federal Tax Deductions
New York gets salty over new limits because now the rich will know they're being soaked.
Jerry Brown Signs Soda Tax Ban (Yay!) So That California Cities Can Tax Other Things (Boo)
California's governor signed a bill no one likes in order to keep taxpayers from having a say.
All Over the World, People Love Bootleg Moonshine and Hate Taxes
If you don't want a black market in booze to develop, keep the tax man on a leash and regulators in check.
Migrants Boost Per Capita Incomes and Lower Unemployment Finds Yet Another Study
Thirty years of data show "refugee burden" is a myth: Migrants to Europe have been a significant economic benefit
With Bitter Parting Shot, CA State Senator Confirms Voters' Wisdom
State Sen. Josh Newman cast a deciding vote in favor of a much-maligned and dramatic increase in gasoline taxes. He was promptly shown the door.
Supreme Court Rules States Can Demand Outside Online Retailers Collect Sales Taxes
A blow against federalism, tax competition, and small businesses trying to expand.
After Seattle Ditches Its Amazon Tax, Silicon Valley City Mulls a Google Tax
Employee head taxes are enjoying an undeserved popularity.
Why the Individual Mandate Part of the New Obamacare Case Matters
Most of the attention on the twenty state lawsuit against Obamacare understandably focuses on the "severability" issue, which could lead to the demise of the entire Affordable Care Act. But the individual mandate part could also set an important precedent.
Seattle Now Wants to Repeal Controversial Amazon Tax
Tax proponents folded rather than defend the tax from a increasingly popular voter initiative to repeal the tax.
Philadelphia Wants To Tax Housing Construction to Make Housing Cheaper
Real estate investors worry a new construction tax will halt construction in an already-heavily taxed city.
In Jordan, Labor Unions and Businesses Have Joined Forces to Fight an Unpopular Tax Bill
Tax increases aimed at balancing the government budget have squeezed the poor and middle class and sparked a wave of protests.
San Francisco Voters Choose Between a 1000 Percent Tax Increase and a 500 Percent Tax Increase
The city's "moderates" and "progressives" fight over whether to raise taxes or raise taxes.
In New York–Massachusetts Rivalry, Massachusetts Is Winning
Boston is the top destination for Gotham residents seeking to escape New York's high taxes and regulations.
California's 'Taxpayer Transparency and Fairness Act' Resulted in Less Transparency, Fairness for Taxpayers
Now it's clear that gutting the state's old tax agency was bad for taxpayers.
D.C. Councilman Says New Taxes on Uber, Booze Are 'Very Exciting'
Those taxes will fund the D.C. subway system, and that councilman just so happens to be chairman of the system's board of directors.
Seattle's Idiotic Tax on Amazon
The tyranny of local government was on full display this week.
Broader Implications of the Supreme Court's Sports Gambling Decision
Commentators are right to suggest that Murphy v. NCAA will help sanctuary cities, but wrong to claim it is like to undermine federal laws restricting state taxes.
In Seattle, Amazon Shrugs
The city attempts to wring more money from its employers rather than fix its housing problems.
Seattle's Proposed Employment Tax is Just the City's Latest Self-Inflicted Wound
City officials seem dedicated to driving away the businesses that create prosperity.
Seattle May Hit Peak Progressivism With a Literal Tax on Jobs
Business and labor join forces to oppose an employee head tax.
In Defense of Cash
Around the world, governments are trying to kill paper money. It's a terrible idea.
When It Comes to Taxes, the Government Always Wants More
Understanding the great American tax rip-off.
A More Infuriating Way to Think About Your Tax Burden
Per capita isn't the only way to think about your personal tax burden for minor government programs.
Facebook's Use of Data May Annoy You, But IRS Handling of Your Sensitive Information Is Truly Chilling
When it comes to mishandling the details of your life, social media has nothing on the tax man.
California Wants to Tax Gun Sales to Pay Therapists to Watch for School Shooters
The therapists would be mandatory in middle and high schools.
Dear Politicians: Stop Taxing Us to Death
Philadelphia's soda tax is the latest example of government run amok.
Maryland City Raises Property Tax on Businesses by 800 Percent, in Bid to Attract More Businesses
Now they're being sued for it.
Larry Kudlow Is a Big Upgrade for Trump's White House
Let's hope he mitigates the president's worst protectionist instincts.
Larry Kudlow, Trump's New Economic Adviser, Is a Longtime Advocate for Low Taxes and Free Trade
Hopefully he will be a positive force from his new perch at the White House.
Home Pot Delivery Is Cool, but California's Taxes and Regulations Are Still Onerous
The current regime makes it hard for licensed cannabusinesses to compete with the black market.
Thoughts on the New Constitutional Case Against Obamacare
20 states are right to claim that the mandate is now unconstitutional, but wrong to argue that this requires invalidating the entire Affordable Care Act.
New Federal Charges Filed Against Manafort, Gates
A total of 32 claims of tax and bank fraud in concealing foreign income.
If You Owe the IRS Over $51,000, It Can Trap You in the United States
The IRS and State Department are not required under all circumstances to reverse their passport-snatching if you pay the debt down below the $51,000 threshold.
Happy Valentine's Day! Here's Why You Shouldn't Get Married If You Earn About as Much as Your Partner!
Tax penalties for getting married hit low-income and high-income couples alike. And getting divorced is now more expensive too!
