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Tax Issues Publications
Tax Issues Testimony
Tax Issues Presentations

PUBLICATIONS

Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (English), December, 2009 
Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (Spanish), December, 2009
Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (Hmong), December, 2009  

New Census Data on State and Local Spending and Revenue – This two-page paper analyzes new Census Bureau data on state and local spending and taxes in fiscal year 2007-08. The paper illustrates how Wisconsin’s rankings on a wide variety of revenue and spending measures have fallen since 2000, relative to other states. For example, Wisconsin has dropped to 22nd in direct general spending per capita, down from 12th highest in 2000. Total state and local taxes per capita were $40 less per person than the national average (July 19, 2010).

New Census Data on State and Local Spending and Revenue – This two-page paper analyzes new Census Bureau data on state and local spending and taxes in fiscal year 2006-07. The paper illustrates how Wisconsin’s rankings on a wide variety of revenue and spending measures have fallen since 2000, relative to other states. For example, Wisconsin has dropped to 25th in total state and local spending per capita, down from 14th highest in 2000. Total state and local taxes per capita were $65 less per person than the national average (March 2010).

Taxation of Capital Gains in Wisconsin -- Wisconsin is one of nine states that provide a tax break for capital gains.  That tax exclusion has become a hot topic after the state Senate voted on June 17 to eliminate the tax break for such income, in lieu of creating a new oil company tax.  This issue brief provides some basic information relevant to the debate about taxing capital gains (June 22, 2009).

Additional Options for Closing Wisconsin’s Budget Shortfall – This short paper explains four options for generating additional revenue in the biennial budget
(May 4, 2009).

Census Bureau Issues New Figures on State and Local Finances – This
2-page report by the Wisconsin Budget Project analyzes recently-released data from the U.S. Census Bureau on state and local government finances in 2006.  The new data show that Wisconsin is slightly below average in per capita state and local spending and is virtually the same as national average in per capita state and local taxes.  The report looks at these and other ways to rank revenue collections and spending relative to other states.

Catalog of Tax Reform Options – This catalog presents an inventory of options for reforming the state’s tax system and finding a balanced approach for filling the state deficit, which is now expected to surpass $5 billion over the next two and a half years.  The catalog, which is a joint effort of the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future and WCCF, presents a wide range of alternatives for enhancing state revenue.

Miscellaneous Options for Increasing State Tax Revenue – As the state considers what to do about a deep budget deficit, we are often asked what the options are for increasing revenue.  This short paper simply lists some hypothetical options, with estimates of the annual revenue that could be gained. (February 21, 2008)

Estate Tax Could Protect Vulnerable Familes from Budget Cuts
(February 20, 2008).

Closing Corporate Tax Loopholes to Fund Programs for Families
(Februrary 20, 2008).

“Will the Budget Ease the Property Tax Burden for Low-Income Households?”  -- This short paper analyzes the erosion of the Homestead Tax Credit from inflation, and it summarizes the proposed budget changes that would adjust eligibility for the credit and the size of the credit each year to compensate for future inflation.  (October 10, 2007).

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Boom(ers) and Bust: The Aging of Wisconsin's Population and Tax System -- As Wisconsin's population grows older, and as the growing elderly population gains political might, new strains will be laced on the state's already fragile tax/revenue system. This paper examines the emerging situation and considers ways of coping with it (April 23, 2007).

Maximizing Tax Refunds: Putting More Money in Workers' Pockets and Into Local Economies by Decreasing Reliance on Refund Anticipation Loans (December 2006)

Refund Anticipation Loans in Wisconsin: Little Gained and Much Lost for Working Families (February 2, 2005)  

The Homestead Credit: An Effective Form of Property Tax Relief that Is Losing Its Punch (January 28, 2005)

Study Shows Richest 1% in Wisconsin Pay the Least in Taxes (January 8, 2003)

Tax Trends in Wisconsin: Tracking Corporations' Share of State Revenues (June 28, 2001)

“Tax Freedom Day”: Flaws in the Tax Foundation’s Calculations.(April 20, 2001)

The Federal Tax Cut And Low & Middle-Income Working Families: An Opportunity For Meaningful Tax Relief (by the Making Work Continue to Pay Working Group, April 16, 2001)  

Bush Tax Plan Leaves Out One Fifth Of Wisconsin Families--Press Release (March 6, 2001)  

The Use of Earned Income Tax Credits in Wisconsin (December 1, 2000)  

Shifting to "Single Sales Factor" Taxation of Corporations (AB 380) (October 24, 2001)

"The Quiet Indexing Victim": Homestead Property Tax Credit  (June 24, 1999)

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TESTIMONY

None at this time.

PRESENTATIONS

None at this time.

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