The Deduction

Latest Episodes:

Can We Replace the Property Tax? Oct 07, 2025

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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-offs voters should know about, and why reform may beat repeal.

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Is the OBBBA a Step Back for Tax Simplicity? Sep 23, 2025

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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/

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The Big Beautiful Bill's Impact on State Taxes, Explained Aug 27, 2025

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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.

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Trump Tariffs Explained: Grocery Prices and Rebate Checks Aug 12, 2025

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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.

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Tax-Free Weekends: When Popular Policy Meets Poor Economics Aug 05, 2025

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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.

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Will Trump Accounts Actually Help Families Save? Jul 23, 2025

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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.

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Is Law—Now What? Jul 15, 2025

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The One Big Beautiful Bill is now law—but what does it actually do? In this episode, we break down the new tax law’s key provisions, including who benefits, who doesn’t, and what it means for the economy, tax certainty, and the federal deficit.
Kyle Hulehan is joined by Daniel Bunn, President and CEO of Tax Foundation, and Garrett Watson, Director of Policy Analysis. Together, they dive into the bill’s temporary vs. permanent changes, its international implications, and how it sets the stage for future tax policy debates.

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The One Big Beautiful Tax Bill: What’s In It, What’s Out Jul 01, 2025

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Congress is racing to pass the One Big Beautiful Tax Bill before the July 4
deadline.
In this episode, Kyle Hulehan and Erica York break down what just
happened over the weekend, what’s actually in the bill, and what comes
next as the House and Senate try to reconcile their differences.
Learn more:
“Big Beautiful Bill” Senate GOP Tax Plan: Preliminary Details and Analysis:
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/big-beautiful-bill-senate-gop-tax-plan/
Budget Reconciliation Tracker: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tax-cuts-2025-budget-reconciliation/
“Big Beautiful Bill” House GOP Tax Plan: Preliminary Details and Analysis: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/big-beautiful-bill-house-gop-tax-plan/
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/one-big-beautiful-bill-pros-cons/
House Tax Package Could Double Economic Growth Impact by Prioritizing Permanence for TCJA Business Provisions: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/house-tax-plan-economic-growth-impact-business-tax-permanent/
A More Generous SALT Deduction Cap in the Big, Beautiful Bill Would Cost Revenue and Primarily Benefit High Earners: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/salt-deduction-cap-increase-proposal-analysis/
House “One Big Beautiful Bill” Riddled with Temporary Tax Policy: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/house-one-big-beautiful-bill-temporary-tax-policy/
Current Trump Tariffs Threaten to Offset Benefits of Promised Tax Cuts: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-tariffs-tax-cuts/
House GOP’s Approach to the IRA Clean Energy Tax Credits: Five Things to Know: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/ira-clean-energy-tax-credits-house-gop-ways-means-bill/

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Breaking Down the Senior Deduction in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Jun 17, 2025

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The House-passed reconciliation bill leaves out Trump’s promise to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, opting instead to expand the standard deduction for seniors.

In this episode, Kyle Hulehan and Erica York are joined by Alex Durante to unpack how the deduction works, who benefits most, and how it compares to repealing Social Security taxes.

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One, Big, Beautiful Bill: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Jun 02, 2025

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From generous tax breaks to costly trade-offs, the House GOP’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill has a little of everything. It’s a sweeping attempt to extend key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before they expire in 2026—but what’s actually in it?
Kyle Hulehan and Erica York are joined by Garett Watson, Director of Policy Analysis at the Tax Foundation, to break down the good, the bad, and the ugly: who benefits, what it could mean for the economy, and how it might reshape your tax bill.
Learn more:
Budget Reconciliation Tracker: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/trump-tax-cuts-2025-budget-reconciliation/
“Big Beautiful Bill” House GOP Tax Plan: Preliminary Details and Analysis: https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/big-beautiful-bill-house-gop-tax-plan/
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/one-big-beautiful-bill-pros-cons/
House Tax Package Could Double Economic Growth Impact by Prioritizing Permanence for TCJA Business Provisions: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/house-tax-plan-economic-growth-impact-business-tax-permanent/
A More Generous SALT Deduction Cap in the Big, Beautiful Bill Would Cost Revenue and Primarily Benefit High Earners: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/salt-deduction-cap-increase-proposal-analysis/
House “One Big Beautiful Bill” Riddled with Temporary Tax Policy: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/house-one-big-beautiful-bill-temporary-tax-policy/
Current Trump Tariffs Threaten to Offset Benefits of Promised Tax Cuts: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-tariffs-tax-cuts/
House GOP’s Approach to the IRA Clean Energy Tax Credits: Five Things to Know: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/ira-clean-energy-tax-credits-house-gop-ways-means-bill/

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