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The Deduction

The Deduction

Tax Foundation 121 Episodes Oct 7, 2026

The Deduction is a podcast that explores the complexities of tax and economic policy. Each episode features experts from the Tax Foundation who break down topics like tariffs, trade wars, and tax code debates. The show aims to make tax policy accessible and engaging for listeners. It is a leading resource for understanding how taxes affect the economy and individual finances.

Episodes

The 2026 Ballot Measures Shaping State Taxes
The 2026 Ballot Measures Shaping State Taxes Oct 7, 2026 2073 What happens when voters decide tax policy directly? This November, roughly 40 tax measures are on the ballot across 17 states. Some states want higher taxes on top earners, others want to write low rates into their constitutions, and Missouri voters will decide whether to start a fund that could one day replace every state tax.Joining Kyle and Erica is Janelle Fritts, Senior Policy Analyst at the
California's Wealth Tax Explained (And Why It Might Fail)
California's Wealth Tax Explained (And Why It Might Fail) Sep 28, 2026 2087 California's billionaire tax is on the ballot this November, and it raises more questions than answers. From lost government revenue to legal battles that could drag on for years, what would this first-in-the-nation wealth tax actually do?Hosts Kyle Hulehan and Erica York are joined by Tax Foundation Senior Fellow Jared Walczak to break down what the measure could mean for California's b
Going Bold: Paul Ryan & Kevin Brady on Tax Reform
Going Bold: Paul Ryan & Kevin Brady on Tax Reform Aug 31, 2026 2577 Ten years ago, then-Speaker Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady released the “Better Way” Tax Plan, the blueprint that would eventually become the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017—the largest overhaul of the US tax code in over 30 years.With the national debt climbing, Social Security heading toward insolvency, and tariffs reshaping the economy, the next round of reforms will demand bol
Is America Financially Illiterate? The Numbers Are Alarming
Is America Financially Illiterate? The Numbers Are Alarming Apr 28, 2026 1170 Most Americans don't understand how the tax code works, and it's costing them. In this episode of The Deduction, host Kyle Hulehan sits down with Zoe Callaway, VP of Education at Tax Foundation, to talk about tax and financial literacy in America. They dig into the results of Tax Foundation's national survey on tax literacy, the most stubborn misconceptions people have about taxes (
You Might Owe Taxes in a State You Don’t Live In
You Might Owe Taxes in a State You Don’t Live In Apr 8, 2026 2466 Should you have to file a tax return in a state where you babysat for one hour? In 22 states, the answer is technically yes.In this episode of The Deduction, host Kyle Hulehan and co-host Erica York sit down with Katherine Loughead, Director of State Tax Projects at the Tax Foundation, to break down the tangled mess of state nonresident income tax laws — and why they're a growing problem in t
One Year After "Liberation Day," Did Trump's Tariffs Deliver?
One Year After "Liberation Day," Did Trump's Tariffs Deliver? Apr 2, 2026 2344 On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs on Liberation Day, promising an investment boom, massive revenue, debt reduction, and lower prices. One year later, Kyle Hulehan and Erica York dig into the data to see how those promises held up.0:00 - Liberation Day speech recap2:00 - Were the tariffs actually "reciprocal"?5:30 - The real math behind th
Should We Tax Artificial Intelligence?
Should We Tax Artificial Intelligence? Mar 11, 2026 2230 AI is everywhere, and now it's in the tax policy debate. In this episode of The Deduction, hosts Kyle Hulehan and Erica York sit down with Alex Muresianu, Senior Policy Analyst at the Tax Foundation. Together they examine what current labor market data actually shows, why proposals from Senators Sanders and Kelly risk backfiring, and what smarter reforms like worker retraining deductions and
Trump Tariffs Blocked by the Supreme Court (What’s Next?)
Trump Tariffs Blocked by the Supreme Court (What’s Next?) Feb 25, 2026 1120 Last Friday, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs in a landmark 6-3 decision. In this episode of The Deduction, hosts Kyle Hulehan and Erica York break down what the ruling actually means, from how collections could be refunded to how the administration is already scrambling to put new tariffs in place. Erica walks through why businesses may face even more uncertainty in t
2025 Tax Review | What OBBBA Changed, the Impact of Tariffs, and What’s Next
2025 Tax Review | What OBBBA Changed, the Impact of Tariffs, and What’s Next Dec 17, 2025 3118 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act capped off a hectic year for tax policy. It extended key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, reshaped the outlook for 2026, and raised fresh questions about the deficit. In this episode, Kyle Hulehan and Erica York are joined by Daniel Bunn, President and CEO, and Jared Walczak, Vice President of State Projects, to break down what the law did, walk through our projecti
Trump’s Tariffs Head to the Supreme Court
Trump’s Tariffs Head to the Supreme Court Nov 2, 2025 1558 In this episode of The Deduction podcast, host Kyle Hulehan and co-host Erica York are joined by Alex Durante, Senior Economist at the Tax Foundation, to discuss the Supreme Court's upcoming decision on whether the president can impose $2.2 trillion in tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The conversation covers the origins and implications of these tariffs,
Can We Replace the Property Tax?
Can We Replace the Property Tax? Oct 7, 2025 1436 Property tax repeal would put roughly 70 percent of local tax revenue on the line—forcing states and localities to find something else. Can sales or income taxes really replace it without major rate spikes, burden shifts, and anti-growth incentives?  Kyle Hulehan is joined by Jared Walczak, Vice President of State Projects at Tax Foundation, to unpack the math behind replacement plans, the trade-o
Is the OBBBA a Step Back for Tax Simplicity?
Is the OBBBA a Step Back for Tax Simplicity? Sep 23, 2025 1512 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

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