Taxes for the Masses

On the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's Winners and Losers

In this episode, we unpack what research says about the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act six years after its effective date.

On Declining Accounting Professionals

In this episode, we discuss the causes and consequences of reduced interest in the accounting profession.

On Shohei Ohtani's Contract

In this episode, we discuss the tax motivations for Shohei Ohtani's creative contract structure with the Dodgers.

On the Taxation of Music Catalog Sales

In this episode, we discuss the tax motivations for the rising trend of sales of music catalogs.

On the Latest Tax Research - ATA 2024

In this episode, we discuss the latest tax research presented at the 2024 Journal of the American Taxation Association Conference.

On the Tax Gap

In this episode, we discuss the sources of the tax gap in the U.S., what it means for government operations, and how we can best close it.

On Bezos' Move to Florida

In this episode, we discuss the potential tax motivations and implications of Bezos’ big move to Florida.

On Microsoft's Audit

In this episode, we discuss the issue behind the largest single IRS assessment in history, what Microsoft disclosed about the issue, and what might happen next.  

On the Tax Consequences of NIL

In this episode, we unpack the tax consequences of the NCAA's 2021 name, image, and likeness policy change to student athletes and discuss how athletic supporters have also tried to obtain favorable tax outcomes from NIL activities.

On Things Congress Could Have Done in 2023

In this episode, we discuss two year-end tax bills that many hoped Congress would pass in 2023 but that they very likely will not.

On the End of the Double Irish Tax Structure

In this episode, we discuss a 2014 Irish tax law change and how it impacted large U.S. multinational companies. We are joined by Brian Grant, graduating PhD student at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. 

On the Global Minimum Tax - An Update

In today’s episode, we’re delighted to welcome Robert Stack, Managing Director at public accounting firm Deloitte, to provide an update on the global efforts to impose this tax.

On Moore v. United States

In this episode, we explain the tax issues at the heart of the Moore v. United States case brought in front of the Supreme Court and what the Court’s decision could mean for current and future tax laws.

On the ERTC, Again

In this episode, we discuss the unexpected and potentially unjustified magnitude of Employee Retention Tax Credit payments. 

On the Latest Tax Research - Illinois Tax Symposium

In this episode, we discus the latest tax accounting research presented at the biannual Tax Symposium hosted by the University of Illinois in Chicago.

On Carried Interest

In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of taxing carried interest as capital gains, as well as the current state of political discourse on the topic.

On Tax Footnotes

In this episode, we welcome Patrick Badolato, an Associate Professor of Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin, to discuss what investors and other interested parties can learn about taxes by examining a company’s income tax footnote. 

On the University Endowment Tax

In this episode, we talk about how the University endowment tax works and why it was implemented, how some people want to change it, and generally discuss whether we think it’s a good idea. 

On the Stock Buyback Tax

In this episode, we discuss the mechanics of the IRA's Stock Buyback Tax, whether it is achieving its intended goal of curbing buybacks and how some lawmakers in the U.S. hope to expand its scope.

On Racial Bias in IRS Audits

In this episode, we welcome Evelyn Smith, researcher at the University of Michigan, to discuss her research on racial bias in the IRS’ audit selection models.

On Hunter Biden's Tax Woes

In this episode, we discuss the general fines and penalties individuals can face related to their taxes and discuss the details of Hunter Biden’s case in light of those rules. 

On AI and Taxes

In this episode, we discuss some ways artificial intelligence like ChatGPT could improve and worsen the US taxpayer experience. 

On Taxing Carbon

In this episode, we discuss different approaches to taxing pollution like carbon emissions, as well as recent research examining the impact of these policies.

On the Feasibility of an IRS Direct File System

In this episode, we provide background on the impetus for a potential IRS-run direct e-file tax return system and hear from Ayushi Roy, Deputy Director at New America, on the independent third-party review of the IRS' feasibility report.

On 50 Episodes of TFTM

In this episode, we mostly goof off and talk about our experiences making 50 episodes of Taxes for the Masses. 

On IRS Audits

In this episode, we break down the audit process in the U.S. and offer some perspective on which taxpayers are most likely to be audited and why.

On the IRS Charity Scandal

In this episode, we outline the history of the IRS’ tax-exempt approval process and recent calls for more scrutiny over organizations applying for tax-exempt status. 

On Making Filing Easier

In this episode, we compare and contrast programs in the U.S. intended to make filing taxes cheaper and easier to those in other developed countries.

On Consumption Taxes

In this episode, we do a deeper dive into what these consumption taxes are, how they can be administered, and who pays them.

On the Fair Tax Act

In this episode, we discuss how a national sales tax would work and the distributional effects the Fair Tax Act would have on American households.

On the Latest Tax Research - 2023 Edition

In this episode, we discuss some of the latest tax research from the 2023 mid-year meeting of the American Taxation Association. 

On the Taxation of Gambling Income

On Taxing Professional Athletes

In this episode, we explain the mechanics and the history of the so-called “jock tax”.

On Tax Fraud in the Trump Organization

In this episode, we discuss the conviction of the Trump Organization on 17 counts of tax fraud and other crimes in the New York Supreme Court.

On Trump's Tax Returns

In this episode, we discuss how former President Trump's tax returns were made public, what they reveal, and what could come next.

Gifts and Estates (Part 2)

In this episode, we explain the history use of 501(c)(4) organizations, how they can support a vast array of objectives, and the tax benefits they offer to those who contribute money to them.

On Gifts and Estates (Part 1)

In this episode, we discuss the estate and gift tax consequences of the Chouinard family decision regarding their Patagonia fortune as well as alternative structures they could have considered.

On the Revolving Door

This episode is on the movement of high-level employees from public-sector to private-sector jobs and vice versa.

On the Employee Retention Tax Credit

This episode is on the employee retention tax credit with special guest Stefan Richter to discuss his research on the topic.

On Corporate State Taxes and Risk-Taking

This episode is on how states tax corporations and how that affects their business decisions, with special guest Anthony Welsch to discuss his research on the topic.

On Taxes and Inequity

In this very special episode, recorded LIVE at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business, we discuss tax policies and societal inequities.

On the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

In this episode, we outline the history of the WOTC, discus the limited evidence on its effectiveness, and highlight potential room for improvement in the policy.

On Property Taxes

In today’s episode, we welcome Jane Bowman, a Minnesota Tax Court Judge, to discuss property taxes.

On Taxes and Rising Rents

In this episode, we explain how taxes may have influenced the rising rents trend over the past decade, along with other factors at play.

On the Inflation Reduction Act

In this episode, we break down the tax policy changes embedded in the Inflation Reduction Act.

On Taxes and Inflation

In this episode, we explain inflation at a high level and examine its relation to taxes.

On the Deductibility of Executive Compensation

In this episode, we discuss the history of deductibility of executive compensation and highlight academic evidence on the ability of tax policy to influence executive compensation.

On the deductibility of executive compensation

In this episode, we discuss the history of deductibility of executive compensation and highlight academic evidence on the ability of tax policy to influence executive compensation.

On Paul Manafort and FATCA

In this episode, we discuss the laws requiring U.S. taxpayers to report foreign account information and research into the efficacy of those laws.

On SECURE 2.0

In this episode, we discuss the provisions of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also dubbed SECURE 2.0, and how it could influence inequality in America.