We retired Tax Justice Blog in April 2017. For new content on issues related to tax justice, go to www.justtaxesblog.org
Tax day is the perfect opportunity for legislators, the media, and taxpayers to be reminded who pays (and who doesn’t pay) taxes, how tax dollars are spent and about current tax policy debates raging in the states. The following is a compilation of tax day resources from the states:
Arizona: Through their blog, the Children’s Action Alliance wished everyone a “Happy Tax Day” and shed light on the important issue that “many corporations and higher income families owe little or no state income taxes.”
Calfornia: Right in time for Tax Day the California Budget and Policy Center released a new report Who Pays Taxes in California? The report highlighted ITEP data as well as the need to create a state Earned Income Tax Credit and better target existing credits to low income families.
Iowa: The Iowa Policy Project shared ITEP’s Who Pays? findings to shed light on the regressivity of the state’s tax structure
Georgia: The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute reminded Twitter followers to be thankful for the services that taxes pay for through #ThanksTaxes, they were interviewed by an NRP affiliate, and had their income tax materials prominently displayed on their website.
Michigan: The Michigan League for Public Policy put together this creative map showing what taxes pay for.
New Jersey: New Jersey Policy Perspective took the day to remind folks of three “takeaways” regarding taxes in the state. First, that all New Jerseyans pay taxes (with a link to ITEP’s Who Pays data), that corporations are often getting big tax breaks, and that taxes are an investment that provide opportunities.
North Carolina: The North Carolina Budget and Tax Center hosted a tax tweet on Tax Day so folks could share how their tax dollars are working in North Carolina. Followers were urged to share their thoughts using #thanktaxesnc
Texas: The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) shared this recent blog post to remind Texas taxpayers who pays state and local taxes. Also CPPP used Tax Day to shed light on a the tax debate there reminding lawmakers that Texas can’t afford tax cuts.
Washington: The Washington State Budget and Policy Center released a post It’s Tax Day! Let’s Talk About Washington’s Tax System. Since the state has the most regressive tax structure of them all, there is certainly a lot to say!
Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Budget Project creatively travelled and tweeted around the state with Casey Badger to show how tax dollars go to fund investments that Wisconsinites enjoy. They also published This Tax Day, Remember that Taxes Make Investments in a Strong Economy Possible.
We are still collecting tax day information and media. Already we know that ITEP’s Who Pays data have been cited in the Washington Post, a Dallas Morning News op-ed, an LA Times column, articles in the Topeka-Capital Journal and Mother Jones and in an editorial in the Wilmington Star (NC).