Could Filing Taxes Get Simpler? The Push for Return-Free Systems
Advocates say the IRS could pre-fill returns; critics warn of trade-offs.
By Diane Kennedy · June 29, 2026
Tax Policy
Coverage of federal tax legislation, Treasury rulemaking, and the debates shaping the U.S. tax code.
Key Provisions of the 2017 Tax Law Are Set to Expire
Lower individual rates and a larger standard deduction sunset without action from Congress.
By Diane Kennedy · 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
The $10,000 SALT Cap Remains a Political Flashpoint
The limit on state and local tax deductions divides high-tax and low-tax states.
By Diane Kennedy · June 6, 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
The Marriage Penalty and Bonus, Explained
How the tax code rewards some couples and quietly costs others.
By Diane Kennedy · May 27, 2026
How Congress Uses the Tax Code to Push Retirement Saving
Recent laws expanded 401(k) and IRA rules to nudge Americans to save more.
By Diane Kennedy · May 21, 2026
The 'Tax Gap': Why Hundreds of Billions Go Uncollected
The difference between taxes owed and paid drives debates over enforcement funding.
By Diane Kennedy · May 4, 2026
Corporate Tax Rate Back in the Spotlight
Proposals to raise or preserve the 21% rate carry big revenue and investment stakes.
By Diane Kennedy · April 18, 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
Clean Energy Tax Credits: A Policy Built Into Your Return
Federal credits for EVs, solar, and efficiency reshape household and business decisions.
By Diane Kennedy · March 11, 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
The Federal Gas Tax Hasn't Risen in Decades. Now What?
A flat per-gallon levy funds highways but buys less every year as costs climb.
By Diane Kennedy · February 15, 2026
The Estate Tax Exemption Is Scheduled to Fall by Half
Without new law, the amount shielded from estate tax drops sharply after 2025.
By Diane Kennedy · February 2, 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