Since the start of last year, the federal and state governments have spent nearly $600 billion on unemployment compensation payments, compared to the prior level of about $30 billion a year. It’s a lot of money—and it’s taxable at the federal level and in many states. Through February 13th, the federal government has spent $441 […]
We’re about to launch a free six-week course in state taxation, and we’d like you to join us. This coming Tuesday, February 16th, the Tax Foundation will kick off its “State Tax Policy Boot Camp,” designed with lawmakers and legislative staff in mind, but ideal for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of state […]
The nine legislative measures released by the House Ways and Means Committee under the budget reconciliation instructions begins to put legislative text to Congress’ next round of pandemic relief. The nine measures comprise more than half of the $1.9 trillion in additional coronavirus-related relief put forth by congressional Democrats and President Biden. The Ways and […]
State tax revenues held steady in 2020, coming in less than one-tenth of 1 percent lower than in 2019, according to the latest JPMorgan research (which is consistent with earlier data), and combined state and local revenues have likely risen year-over-year. This is a curious backdrop to the current federal debate, in which Congress is […]
In releasing details of his coronavirus relief plan Thursday evening, President-elect Joe Biden envisions a two-part response to the pandemic and economic crisis. The first aspect builds on previous rounds of relief enacted in 2020, and would provide larger payments to individuals, expanded relief for households and small businesses, funding for vaccine distribution, and aid […]
In the next few weeks, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin accepting federal tax returns for the 2020 tax year. The coronavirus pandemic and multiple pandemic-related relief packages passed last year will make the tax season unique for taxpayers and for the IRS. Congress introduced several tax policy changes in 2020 that will impact […]
Leadership in the U.S. House and Senate came to an agreement in December over the details of a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill, (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) to be attached to a broader $1.4 trillion omnibus which will fund the federal government for the 2021 fiscal year. The COVID-19 relief bill extends and modifies several provisions first enacted in […]
Sunday evening, leadership in the U.S. House and Senate came to an agreement over the details of a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, to be attached to a broader $1.4 trillion omnibus which will fund the federal government for the 2021 fiscal year. Congress also voted to extend a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal […]
With 2020 nearing its close, state unemployment compensation trust funds continue to struggle under the weight of so many pandemic-created beneficiaries, though some funds are beginning to stabilize as people increasingly return to work. As of December 17th, 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have drawn a collective $44.3 billion in Title XII Advances—federal […]
With fewer than 10 days until government funding runs out, congressional lawmakers are down to the wire to fund the government and provide additional pandemic-related relief to the households and businesses trying to make it through the winter. This week, both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers released new […]