More states are contemplating the tradeoffs associated with legalizing recreational marijuana and taxing it to obtain a new stream of revenue. In fact, a key point when legalizing recreational marijuana is tax design. Most states that currently allow and tax sales have opted for a price-based (ad valorem) excise tax and levy the general sales tax on recreational marijuana sales.
Excise taxes are imposed on a specific good or activity, such as cigarettes, alcohol, and fuel. Because of their narrow base, excise taxes distort production and consumption choices. Sometimes this distortion is by design. Compare the effects of sales taxes and tobacco excise taxes with real policy examples.
What is the OECD Global Tax Deal and what impact will it have on U.S. and foreign multinationals? Learn about the OECD’s efforts to prevent companies from shifting profits—including Pillar 1, which is focused on changing where companies pay taxes, and Pillar 2, which would establish a global minimum tax.
The corporate income tax is levied by federal and state governments on business profits. State-level corporate income tax rates vary across the country. Learn about the effects of reduction and elimination of corporate income taxes and the economic result by comparing examples from North Carolina and Ohio
A graduated rate income tax system results in a taxpayer’s effective income tax rate, or the percentage of their income paid in taxes, increasing as their income increases. Learn about the difference between average and marginal tax rates and how each impacts taxpayers’ liability and the economy.