The Deduction

Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge is joined by economist Erica York and Senior Policy Analyst Garrett Watson to answer a question U.S. policymakers have been asking for decades: how should we tax research and development (R&D)?R&D is more important than ever as pharmaceutical companies and governments around the world invest in coronavirus research and supply chains.But are the policies currently on the books—the R&D credit and immediate deduction for R&D expenses (soon to be amortized over 5 years)—the best way to encourage innovation? What other tools do policymakers have at their disposal and what does the future hold for the taxation of R&D in America?Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge interviews Ken Kies, former Chief of Staff for the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) from 1995 to 1998.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Economist Erica York joins Scott Hodge, President Emeritus and Senior Policy Advisor at the Tax Foundation, to discuss one of the most misunderstood issues in tax policy: tariffs.Depending on your perspective, tariffs are either a great way to tax countries like China for their protectionist trade policies or they are a big reason why all those imported toys, clothing and holiday gifts cost more than you expected.You'll learn what tariffs are, how they function, and how they can impact the domestic U.S. economy.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Rohit Kumar, principal and leader of PwC's Washington National Tax Services Tax Policy Services group in Washington, D.C., joins Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge to discuss the congressional budget reconciliation process: what it is, how it works, and the role that politics will play in it for the 117th Congress as well as President Biden's policy agenda.Prior to joining PwC, Mr. Kumar served in a number of distinguished government positions. He worked in close collaboration with three Senate leaders-- including 11 years with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, for whom he served as Domestic Policy Director and Deputy Chief of Staff.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

The digitalization of the global economy has brought with it increased opportunity and connectedness, but also new business models that elude existing tax structures.Over the last several years, policymakers in countries around the world have groped for new ways to tax e-commerce, social media, cloud-based, and other online businesses, in some cases stoking major international trade disputes in the process.In this episode of The Deduction, we explore the “digital services tax” (DST), one new and increasingly popular policy designed to address the digital economy.Tax Foundation V.P. of Global Projects Daniel Bunn joins President Scott Hodge to explore what DSTs are, who pays them, why they’re being considered, and all the new challenges they present.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

What is driving the downward trend in corporate tax rates and will it continue? Is it truly a "race to the bottom?" Why do corporate tax rates matter in the first place? How does the U.S. rate compare and could that change in the coming years?Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Elke Asen joins President Scott Hodge to discuss the latest data on corporate tax rates around the world. Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

On this episode, we take a more personal look at taxes and particularly their effects on small businesses and entrepreneurs facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.Over the past eight months, the U.S. has seen tens of thousands of small businesses close their doors, and we think it's important for us to do our part to highlight the role that tax policy can play in supporting small businesses and clearing a path to a post-pandemic economic recovery.We recently sat down with the owners of Black Narrows Brewing Company, a family-owned craft brewery situated in a small island-town on Virginia’s scenic Eastern Shore, to discuss the challenges they face as a small business during COVID-19 and what they would like to see legislators do to reduce short- and long-term barriers for entrepreneurs.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

What do election results mean for the future of the federal tax code? What role will tax policy play in curbing the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic? How should policymakers address the federal deficit and could a carbon tax be part of that solution? How much of President-elect Joe Biden's pre-election tax plan will actually come to pass?Tax Foundation President Scott Hodge and special guest, Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, offer their insight on these and other pressing questions.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

They may not draw as much attention as elections for office, but Election Day 2020 will also feature a number of important votes on tax-related ballot initiatives in states around the country. What are the ballot measures taxpayers should be paying attention to this year and what could they mean for the future of state tax policy? Tax Foundation Vice President of State Projects Jared Walczak and Senior Policy Analyst Katherine Loughead break down measures ranging from recreational marijuana legalization in New Jersey and Montana to income tax increases in Illinois and Arizona. Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Some post-COVID projections show the highway trust fund running out as early as 2021. Meanwhile, most state gas taxes are losing value every year due to inflation. What can the U.S. do to raise the revenue needed for infrastructure upkeep and accurately internalize the costs associated with road usage? Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show