The debates about the what, who, and how of tax policy are at the core of politics, policy, and economics. The Economics of Tax Policy provides an accessible overview of recent research in the economics of taxation.

Contents 1. Tax Reform in a Changing Economy Alan Auerbach and Kent Smetters 2. Effects of Income Tax Changes on Economic Growth William Gale and Andrew Samwick Commentary Kevin Hassett 3. Environmental Taxation Roberton C. Williams Iii Commentary Don Fullerton 4. Tax Compliance and Enforcement: An Overview of New Research and Its Policy Implications Joel Slemrod Commentary David Weisbach 5. Economic and Distributional Effects of Tax Expenditure Limits Len Burman, Eric Toder, Daniel Berger, and Jeffrey Rohaly Commentary Louis Kaplow 6. Tax Benefits for College Attendance Susan Dynarski and Judith Scott-Clayton Commentary David Figlio 7. Tax Policy toward Low-Income Families Hilary Hoynes and Jesse Rothstein Commentary Diane Schanzenbach 8. The Economics of Corporate and Business Tax Reform Dhammika Dharmapala Commentary Rosanne Altshuler 9. U.S. Capital Gains and Estate Taxation: A Status Report and Directions for a Reform Wojciech Kopczuk Commentary James Poterba 10. Tax Policy for Retirement Savings John Friedman Commentary Brigitte Madrian 11. Fundamental Tax Reform: A Comparison of Three Options Alan D. Viard Commentary James Hines

"All the essays are based on rigorous empirical research and most of the authors are economists, but considerable care has been taken to maintain accessibility for non-specialists and interest for scholars. Highly recommended." --CHOICE "Tax policy influences everything from higher education to retirement savings and the environment. If you're a practicing economist and want a single comprehensive volume that reflects the most recent research on the economics of tax policy, this is the book for you. And if you're not an economist, the book provides a user-friendly tour of the tax policy debate in all its manifestations. Auerbach and Smetters have pulled off a tough task: a tax book that is rigorous, relevant, and readable." -- Peter Orszag, Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Lazard and former OMB and CBO Director "Alan Auerbach and Kent Smetters have assembled an all-star cast whose new analyses are timely. Particularly promising avenues in the book are corporate tax reform and a shift to consumption taxation. Especially with tax reform a higher priority now in Washington, this book is a must-read for economists, policymakers, and business leaders interested in tax policy and its effects." -- Glenn Hubbard, Dean and Russell L. Carson Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia Business School; and former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers "Alan Auerbach and Kent Smetters have done the tax policy community a great service. The Economics of Tax Policy is a must-read for anyone serious about the U.S. tax system and an extremely timely contribution to the debate over fundamental tax reform." -- Doug Holtz-Eakin, President, American Action Forum "This volume provides high quality analyses of the key tax reform issues by a range of expert economists. Anyone interested in where the U.S. tax system needs to go should read these papers." -- Martin Feldstein, Professor of Economics, Harvard University "Getting taxes right is of great importance for America's economic growth and competitiveness. The Economics of Tax Policy provides a far-reaching and pragmatic analysis of the principles that should guide decisions and choices that influence such key issues as the environment, enforcement, education, and retirement. It can and should inform the discussion on tax reform." -- Austan D. Goolsbee, Robert P. Gwinn Professor of Economics, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Selling point: Enhances understanding of the role taxes play in society. Selling point: Broad overviews of how tax policy influences important issues, including the environment, education, and inequality. Selling point: Provides an accessible perspective on the tax policy process through surveys.

Alan Auerbach is the Robert D. Burch Professor of Economics and Law and Director of the Robert D. Burch Center for Tax Policy and Public Finance at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Joint Committee on Taxation (1992). Kent Smetters is the Boettner Chair Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previous policy positions include the Congressional Budget Office (1995 to 1998) as well as Economics Policy Coordinator (Deputy Assistant Secretary) for the United States Treasury (2001-2002).

Selling point: Enhances understanding of the role taxes play in society. Selling point: Broad overviews of how tax policy influences important issues, including the environment, education, and inequality. Selling point: Provides an accessible perspective on the tax policy process through surveys.