
The Deduction
The Deduction is your guide to the complicated world of tax and economics. From the impacts of tariffs and trade wars to debates over who pays and how much, each episode, our experts untangle another aspect of the tax code. Listen to the leading tax podcast! Have a question for one of our experts, let us know here: https://taxfoundation.org/mailbag. Follow us on Twitter @deductionpod: https://twitter.com/deductionpod
Latest episodes

Sep 11, 2024 • 14min
Election Insights | Trump on Taxes, Tariffs, & Harris’s Economic Plans
While tax policy was almost nonexistent in the first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, this episode will explore each candidate’s latest proposals in greater depth. We’ll break down Kamala Harris's updated tax plan, highlighting her capital gains adjustments and new deductions for startups. We’ll also take a closer look at Trump’s plans for tax cuts and tariffs, discussing what they could mean for American families and businesses.Erica York, Senior Economist and Research Director, joins Kyle Hulehan to discuss the debate. We’ll highlight the key issues likely to be discussed and consider the serious implications for national debt and economic growth.Links: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/donald-trump-tax-plan-2024/https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/kamala-harris-tax-plan-2024/https://taxfoundation.org/research/federal-tax/2024-tax-plans/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Aug 28, 2024 • 11min
Election Insights | Taxes, Kamala Harris, and the DNC’s Vision
Dive into the highlights from the DNC as we break down Vice President Kamala Harris's tax proposals and their potential impact on everyday families. What do higher taxes on businesses and the wealthy mean for working Americans? Erica York, Senior Economist and Research Director, joins Kyle Hulehan to examine her VP pick, Tim Walz, and how his progressive tax policies have shaped Minnesota's economy. Plus, we’ll take a closer look at Harris's child tax credit expansion. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/kamala-harris-tax-plan-2024/https://taxfoundation.org/blog/tim-walz-tax-policies/ https://taxfoundation.org/research/federal-tax/2024-tax-plans/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Aug 15, 2024 • 31min
Do Americans Abroad Still Pay US Taxes?
How does living abroad impact the taxes an American has to pay? Unlike most countries that tax based on residency, the US employs citizenship-based taxation, meaning Americans are taxed on their global income regardless of where they reside. This unique system creates a web of complexities, including stringent reporting requirements and potential penalties, which can leave many US citizens feeling overwhelmed. In this discussion, Marylouise Serrato from American Citizens Abroad, joins Kyle Hulehan to explore the implications of FATCA for Americans living outside the United States. Together, they’ll unpack the compliance hurdles and misconceptions surrounding US tax obligations abroad, offering insights on the future of tax policy and its impact on the global American community. Links: https://www.americansabroad.org/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Jul 30, 2024 • 34min
Pillar Two: Electric Boogaloo
The global tax deal and Pillar Two are shaking up the tax landscape worldwide, introducing a web of complexity and confusion. Today, we untangle the key aspects of these proposals, diving into the latest updates, compliance hurdles, and their ripple effects on industries and smaller nations. Join Daniel Bunn, President & CEO of the Tax Foundation, and Senior Economist Alan Cole, as they sit down with Kyle Hulehan to explore what the future holds for global taxation and what it means for the United States. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/global-tax-agreement/https://taxfoundation.org/blog/pillar-two-flaw/https://taxfoundation.org/taxedu/glossary/oecd-pillar-2-global-minimum-tax/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Jul 9, 2024 • 28min
Tax Cuts vs. Tax Reform
Tax cuts vs. tax reform: what’s the real difference, and why does it matter? In this episode, we uncover why retroactive tax cuts and temporary tax breaks often miss the mark for long-term growth and how revenue-neutral tax reform can streamline the tax system without altering overall federal revenue. Erica York, Senior Economist and Research Director at the Tax Foundation, joins host Kyle Hulehan to reveal the true impact of tax policies on households and businesses and discuss how changes in marginal tax rates drive economic decisions. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/unified-theory-misconceptions-tax-reform-debate/ Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Jun 25, 2024 • 31min
A Big-Picture Look at Taxing the Wealthy
Taxing wealth has become a hot-button issue in today’s political discourse, promising to reshape economic equality. But what are the real-world implications of such policies? In this episode, we dive into the contentious world of taxing wealth, examine how a progressive tax system aims to balance fairness and revenue generation, and explore the potential impacts and broader implications for economic policy and social equity. Garrett Watson, Senior Policy Analyst and Modeling Manager at the Tax Foundation, joins Kyle Hulehan to dissect the fundamentals of taxing wealth. They discuss the challenges of implementation, potential long-term consequences for the broader economy, and alternative policy options that could achieve progressivity while maintaining economic growth. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/taxing-consumption-progressively-tax-the-wealthy/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/federal-tax-code-progressive-rich/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/us-pandemic-response-inequality-progressivity/ https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/tax-fairness-funding-government-investments/ Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Jun 4, 2024 • 34min
Trump and Biden’s Tariff Tango
Tariffs are a hot topic this election cycle for both President Biden and former President Trump. But why are tariffs so popular despite their economic downsides? In this episode, we unpack tariffs’ role in the political playbook, their impact on manufacturing jobs and consumers, and the Biden administration's review of Trump-era tariffs. Erica York, Senior Economist and Research Director at the Tax Foundation, joins Kyle Hulehan to break down the basics of tariffs, explore historical tariff failures, and discuss the potential long-term effects of maintaining or increasing tariffs. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/section-232-tariffs-steel-aluminum-2024/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/biden-tariffs-china/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-biden-protectionism/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/biden-trump-tariffs/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/retaliatory-tax-trade-policies/ https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-china-trade-war-proposal/ https://taxfoundation.org/topics/tariffs-and-trade/https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/tariffs-trump-trade-war/https://taxfoundation.org/blog/donald-trump-10-percent-tariff/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

May 21, 2024 • 33min
A Journey Through Germany’s Tax Laws
Get ready to hit the autobahn and explore the world of German taxes! We'll navigate the complexities of Germany’s corporate tax structure, including the combined federal and local rates, and unravel the complexities of local trade taxes and the real estate transaction tax, exploring their impact on businesses and property investments. Alex Mengden, Global Policy Analyst, joins Kyle Hulehan to discuss Germany's unique federal system shaping state and local taxes, the intricacies of the value-added tax (VAT), and the substantial labor tax burden. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/eu/germany-trade-tax-rates/ Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

May 7, 2024 • 32min
From Gallons to Miles: Rethinking Road Taxes
Buckle up as we navigate the twists and turns of infrastructure and road funding. As electric vehicles gain traction, traditional gas taxes are running out of fuel to support our infrastructure budget. Today, we're exploring how Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) taxes pave a more equitable and sustainable path for funding road maintenance and construction. Adam Hoffer, the Director of Excise Tax Policy, joins Kyle Hulehan to unpack the challenges and opportunities of VMT taxes. They will explore the innovative technologies used for mileage tracking and address the significant privacy concerns involved. Links: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/road-funding-vehicle-miles-traveled-tax/https://taxfoundation.org/taxedu/glossary/gas-tax/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show

Apr 23, 2024 • 28min
Taxocracy Tales with Scott Hodge
All taxes tell a story, and today we’ll explore how taxes influenced Bob Dylan's decision to sell his music catalog, how the "chicken tax" reshaped the auto industry, and how the historic "tax on air and light" had profound effects on architecture and living conditions. Scott Hodge, President Emeritus & Senior Policy Advisor at the Tax Foundation, joins host Kyle Hulehan to discuss his new book, Taxocracy: What You Don’t Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life. Links: https://www.amazon.com/Taxocracy-What-About-Taxes-Daily/dp/B0CL3BXBVS Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show