In this episode of The Deduction, host Kyle Hulehan discusses the complexities of the US tax system with Alex Muresianu, Senior Policy Analyst at the Tax Foundation. They delve into the staggering 7.1 billion hours Americans spend on tax compliance every year, and explore the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on simplifying and complicating the tax code. Key topics include the permanence of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, the introduction of new deductions, and the challenges and missed opportunities for structural tax reform. They also discuss the significant costs associated with tax compliance and suggest potential reforms for the future. Join us for an insightful conversation on the intricacies of the US tax system and the path ahead. Links:https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/obbba-income-tax-complexity-tax-breaks/https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-tax-changes/Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show
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25:12
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25:12
The Big Beautiful Bill's Impact on State Taxes, Explained
Congress may have passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), but state lawmakers now face big choices. Most states link their tax codes to the federal system, meaning OBBBA’s provisions—good and bad—are about to ripple across state budgets. In this episode, we explain why federal tax changes can automatically affect your state tax bill, the costly new personal deductions with limited benefits, and the pro-growth business provisions that remove barriers to investment and jobs. Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show
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22:08
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22:08
Trump Tariffs Explained: Grocery Prices and Rebate Checks
Trump’s 2025 tariffs will hit nearly three-quarters of US food imports, raising prices on products that are often difficult or impossible to produce domestically. Senator Hawley has proposed a rebate program to return some of the revenue to households—but would it actually help? Kyle Hulehan is joined by Alex Durante, Senior Economist at the Tax Foundation, to unpack how these tariffs work, the economic trade-offs of a rebate, and why repealing tariffs may be the most effective solution.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show
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29:06
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29:06
Tax-Free Weekends: When Popular Policy Meets Poor Economics
They’re popular, highly visible, and marketed as tax relief—but research shows sales tax holidays are inefficient, create compliance headaches, and often miss the mark for the taxpayers they’re meant to help. Kyle Hulehan is joined by Katherine Loughead, Senior Policy Analyst and Research Manager at the Tax Foundation. Together, they break down why these policies persist—and what better alternatives might look like. Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show
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17:26
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17:26
Will Trump Accounts Actually Help Families Save?
Who are Trump Accounts really for, and will they actually help families save? With yet another savings vehicle added to an already confusing system, do these accounts solve a real problem—or just add more complexity?In this episode, we break down what Trump Accounts are, how they work, and why they might not be the game-changer they sound like. We also explore why the U.S. savings system is failing most Americans and what a simpler, universal approach could look like.Support the showFollow us!https://twitter.com/TaxFoundationhttps://twitter.com/deductionpodSupport the show
The Deduction is your guide to the complicated world of tax and economics. From the impacts of tariffs and trade wars to debates over who pays and how much, each episode, our experts untangle another aspect of the tax code. Listen to the leading tax podcast! Have a question for one of our experts, let us know here: https://taxfoundation.org/mailbag. Follow us on Twitter @deductionpod: https://twitter.com/deductionpod
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