Capital Gains Taxes: What Investors Actually Pay
Short-term and long-term gains face very different rates.
By David Lindqvist · July 4, 2026
David Lindqvist
Senior Tax Analyst
David Lindqvist writes explanatory analysis on the economics of taxation, connecting IRS data, academic research, and policy trends into context for readers.
Latest by David
Why Investment Income Is Often Taxed Less Than Wages
The gap between capital gains and ordinary rates fuels a fairness debate.
By David Lindqvist · July 2, 2026
How a Bigger Standard Deduction Reshaped American Taxes
Fewer filers itemize now, changing incentives for giving and borrowing.
By David Lindqvist · June 26, 2026
What Is Adjusted Gross Income — and Why It Controls Your Taxes
AGI is the pivot point for deductions, credits, and eligibility rules.
By David Lindqvist · June 8, 2026
The Future of Filing: Will Doing Your Taxes Ever Be Easy?
Technology, politics, and industry interests all shape what comes next.
By David Lindqvist · June 8, 2026
Are Tariffs a Tax? How Import Duties Reach Your Wallet
Economists debate who ultimately pays when the government taxes imports.
By David Lindqvist · June 7, 2026
Capital Gains Tax Proposals and What They Would Change
Debates over rates and the step-up in basis could reshape how investments are taxed.
By David Lindqvist · June 4, 2026
How Inflation Quietly Changes Your Tax Bill
Indexed brackets help, but not every part of the code keeps pace.
By David Lindqvist · May 15, 2026
How U.S. Taxes Compare With Other Wealthy Nations
Total tax burden and mix look different across developed economies.
By David Lindqvist · April 25, 2026
Who Actually Pays Federal Income Tax? A Look at the Data
IRS figures reveal how the burden is distributed across incomes.
By David Lindqvist · March 29, 2026
Wealth Tax Proposals: How They Would Work and Why They're Contested
Taxing net worth rather than income raises legal and practical questions.
By David Lindqvist · March 21, 2026
Deduction vs. Credit: Why the Difference Is Worth Real Money
A credit cuts your bill directly; a deduction only lowers taxable income.
By David Lindqvist · March 13, 2026
Tax Credits as Hidden Spending: The 'Tax Expenditure' Debate
Breaks in the code function like government programs — worth hundreds of billions.
By David Lindqvist · March 7, 2026
The Child Tax Credit Debate: What's on the Table
Lawmakers spar over the size, refundability, and reach of a major family benefit.
By David Lindqvist · February 25, 2026
For Many Workers, Payroll Tax Beats Income Tax
A large share of households pay more in payroll than income tax.
By David Lindqvist · February 5, 2026
Carbon Tax Proposals Return to the Policy Conversation
Pricing emissions is pitched as climate policy and revenue source alike.
By David Lindqvist · January 14, 2026
How Tax Brackets Really Work (You're Not Taxed at One Rate)
A common myth about 'moving up a bracket' costs people peace of mind for no reason.
By David Lindqvist · January 6, 2026
Withholding, Explained: Why Taxes Come Out of Every Paycheck
The pay-as-you-go system shapes your refund or balance due.
By David Lindqvist · January 6, 2026