Aravind
@aravindb.bsky.social
I do research on taxes, budgets, fines and fees, fairness. Also like films/TV, cricket, reading, music, and food. Views my own.
As state and local governments face growing fiscal uncertainty, they may seek more revenue from fines and fees in the criminal legal system. But this strategy may do more harm than good. tpc.io/47owsVT
Increasing Fines Or Fees Is Unlikely To Save State And Local Budgets
As state and local governments face growing fiscal uncertainty and shifts in federal policies, they may seek more revenue from fines and fees in the criminal legal system. But this strategy may do mor...
tpc.io
November 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
As state and local governments face growing fiscal uncertainty, they may seek more revenue from fines and fees in the criminal legal system. But this strategy may do more harm than good. tpc.io/47owsVT
Reposted by Aravind
Even more senior civil servants pushed out at IRS: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
More than two-thirds of IRS senior leadership has left or been removed since January. Unprecedented and dangerous.
More than two-thirds of IRS senior leadership has left or been removed since January. Unprecedented and dangerous.
The IRS faces unprecedented leadership turnover | Brookings
Vanessa Williamson warns IRS turmoil, mass firings, and leadership losses threaten core taxpayer services nationwide.
share.google
August 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Even more senior civil servants pushed out at IRS: www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
More than two-thirds of IRS senior leadership has left or been removed since January. Unprecedented and dangerous.
More than two-thirds of IRS senior leadership has left or been removed since January. Unprecedented and dangerous.
In the Tax Bill that US Senators are considering: Taxpayer A making $19,000 a year would get a tax cut of $70 (a month's internet plan). Taxpayer B making $1.1 million a year would get a tax cut of $66,290 (a year's vacation home payments), 3x Taxpayer A's year-long earnings.
July 1, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In the Tax Bill that US Senators are considering: Taxpayer A making $19,000 a year would get a tax cut of $70 (a month's internet plan). Taxpayer B making $1.1 million a year would get a tax cut of $66,290 (a year's vacation home payments), 3x Taxpayer A's year-long earnings.
Reposted by Aravind
Thread: A new Urban Institute analysis demonstrates the widespread prevalence of challenges faced by #immigrant #families with #children, particularly in meeting basic housing, food, and health needs and worries about immigration policies. urbn.is/4mzT0bw
May 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Thread: A new Urban Institute analysis demonstrates the widespread prevalence of challenges faced by #immigrant #families with #children, particularly in meeting basic housing, food, and health needs and worries about immigration policies. urbn.is/4mzT0bw
"As the US Senate considers the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they could consider modifications to the Child Tax Credit changes that the US House of Representatives passed, so that American children are not left out of one of the nation’s most critical programs."
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/one-b...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/one-b...
“One Big Beautiful Bill” Child Tax Credit Would Exclude Millions of American Children
taxpolicycenter.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"As the US Senate considers the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, they could consider modifications to the Child Tax Credit changes that the US House of Representatives passed, so that American children are not left out of one of the nation’s most critical programs."
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/one-b...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/one-b...
New from @urbaninstitute.bsky.social : The CTC and EITC are proven investments in children’s health and well-being. How can policymakers use the Tax Code to better serve children and our nation’s future?
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/how-p...
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/how-p...
How Policymakers Could Use the Tax Code to Better Serve Children
Some members of Congress are considering cuts to social safety net programs that serve children. To fill the potential gap in supports, policymakers could consider expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC)...
taxpolicycenter.org
May 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
New from @urbaninstitute.bsky.social : The CTC and EITC are proven investments in children’s health and well-being. How can policymakers use the Tax Code to better serve children and our nation’s future?
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/how-p...
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/how-p...
Reposted by Aravind
NYC’s congestion pricing is a policy miracle: Less traffic, less noise, faster transit, more business sales, more transit revenue. And it hasn’t produced the negative effects outside the cordon zone we were afraid of.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
May 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
NYC’s congestion pricing is a policy miracle: Less traffic, less noise, faster transit, more business sales, more transit revenue. And it hasn’t produced the negative effects outside the cordon zone we were afraid of.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Congress—which is responsible for creating our labyrinthine tax code in the first place—could consider legislating a free and optional tax filing service like Direct File to help all families navigate the tax system.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/congr...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/congr...
Congress Could Improve Tax Filing by Making the IRS Direct File Program Permanent
The Trump Administration reportedly intends to end the IRS Direct File program, the optional and free tax filing service. This move would be unfortunate given longstanding, bipartisan concerns about t...
taxpolicycenter.org
April 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Congress—which is responsible for creating our labyrinthine tax code in the first place—could consider legislating a free and optional tax filing service like Direct File to help all families navigate the tax system.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/congr...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/congr...
The new IRS-ICE data sharing agreement may have downstream consequences for tax revenues, robust government data practices, and the health of our wider communities.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
The New ICE-IRS Data Sharing Agreement Has Three Problems
Although the MOU’s goal may be to facilitate the removal of individuals who are in the US without proper authorization, it may have downstream consequences for the fiscal health of the country, effect...
taxpolicycenter.org
April 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The new IRS-ICE data sharing agreement may have downstream consequences for tax revenues, robust government data practices, and the health of our wider communities.
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/new-i...
Our research shows most Americans are interested in using IRS Direct File to file their taxes. Interest spans across income, race, age, education, region, those who recently filed for free or paid.
But news reports say the Administration plans to eliminate it.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
But news reports say the Administration plans to eliminate it.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
Most Americans Are Interested in Using IRS Direct File to Prepare and File Their Taxes
This factsheet uses December 2024 data from the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey (WBNS) to examine interest in using Direct File.
taxpolicycenter.org
April 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Our research shows most Americans are interested in using IRS Direct File to file their taxes. Interest spans across income, race, age, education, region, those who recently filed for free or paid.
But news reports say the Administration plans to eliminate it.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
But news reports say the Administration plans to eliminate it.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
Reposted by Aravind
AP is reporting that the Trump Administration is eliminating Direct File, IRS's excellent free tax prep program.
Last month I wrote about the success of the Direct File pilot, and what the history of IRS can tell us about resisting attacks on American governance.
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Last month I wrote about the success of the Direct File pilot, and what the history of IRS can tell us about resisting attacks on American governance.
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
April 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
AP is reporting that the Trump Administration is eliminating Direct File, IRS's excellent free tax prep program.
Last month I wrote about the success of the Direct File pilot, and what the history of IRS can tell us about resisting attacks on American governance.
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Last month I wrote about the success of the Direct File pilot, and what the history of IRS can tell us about resisting attacks on American governance.
www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Reposted by Aravind
This #tax season, explore new findings from Urban’s Tax #Policy Center (TPC) that examine interest in using Direct File and what motivates respondents to choose their most recent tax filing methods to better understand their priorities when preparing and filing their #taxes.
Most Americans Are Interested in Using IRS Direct File to Prepare and File Their Taxes
This factsheet uses December 2024 data from the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey (WBNS) to examine interest in using Direct File.
taxpolicycenter.org
April 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
📜 💲 New @urbaninstitute.bsky.social research shows nearly three-quarters of US taxpayers interested in using IRS Direct File if they have access to it. Interest is high across income, race, age, and education groups.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
Most Americans Are Interested in Using IRS Direct File to Prepare and File Their Taxes
This factsheet uses December 2024 data from the Urban Institute’s Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey (WBNS) to examine interest in using Direct File.
taxpolicycenter.org
March 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
📜 💲 New @urbaninstitute.bsky.social research shows nearly three-quarters of US taxpayers interested in using IRS Direct File if they have access to it. Interest is high across income, race, age, and education groups.
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
taxpolicycenter.org/briefs/most-...
Reposted by Aravind
My God: they are selling off federal buildings and no longer planning on collecting revenues.
Again, none of this is about efficiency. I know the IRS is not popular, but for every dollar invested it generates about $7 in returns. The goal is not to save money but to stop collecting it.
Again, none of this is about efficiency. I know the IRS is not popular, but for every dollar invested it generates about $7 in returns. The goal is not to save money but to stop collecting it.
BREAKING: The IRS is drafting plans to cut as much as half of its 90,000-person workforce, AP sources say.
The IRS is drafting plans to cut as much as half of its 90,000-person workforce, AP sources say
The IRS is drafting plans to try to cut its workforce of roughly 90,000 people in half through a mix of layoffs, attrition and incentivized buyouts, according to two people familiar with the situation...
apnews.com
March 4, 2025 at 11:34 PM
My God: they are selling off federal buildings and no longer planning on collecting revenues.
Again, none of this is about efficiency. I know the IRS is not popular, but for every dollar invested it generates about $7 in returns. The goal is not to save money but to stop collecting it.
Again, none of this is about efficiency. I know the IRS is not popular, but for every dollar invested it generates about $7 in returns. The goal is not to save money but to stop collecting it.
Reposted by Aravind
Criminal legal fines and fees harm the families of those who can't pay and disproportionately affect people of color. But as my colleague @aravindb.bsky.social writes, they account for a tiny proportion of state and local revenues, calling into question why they continue to be levied.
Five Facts About Fines and Fees Revenues
The latest data from the US Census Bureau can help policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders understand where fines and fees fit in current revenues and design more effective and equitable polic...
taxpolicycenter.org
December 6, 2024 at 1:52 AM
Criminal legal fines and fees harm the families of those who can't pay and disproportionately affect people of color. But as my colleague @aravindb.bsky.social writes, they account for a tiny proportion of state and local revenues, calling into question why they continue to be levied.
The "Super Bowl of Tax" is looming with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) expiring soon. This presentation summarizes TCJA's major changes, their economic effects, and their impacts on families with children, businesses, and more.
taxpolicycenter.org/presentation...
taxpolicycenter.org/presentation...
Understanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Overview and Issues Ahead
This presentation provides an overview of TCJA's major changes, their effects on the economy, and their impacts on families with children, pass-through businesses, multinational firms, and others.
taxpolicycenter.org
November 27, 2024 at 3:08 PM
The "Super Bowl of Tax" is looming with many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) expiring soon. This presentation summarizes TCJA's major changes, their economic effects, and their impacts on families with children, businesses, and more.
taxpolicycenter.org/presentation...
taxpolicycenter.org/presentation...
🚨🚨 In new research from @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we used national survey data to look at fines and fees (tickets, court admin. fees, incarceration costs), finding that they can increase financial strains and economic disparities, undermining family well-being 🏛 🚔
www.urban.org/urban-wire/h...
www.urban.org/urban-wire/h...
How Do Fines and Fees Affect Families’ Well-Being?
Households facing court-related fines and fees were significantly more likely to report experiencing food insecurity or having trouble paying their medical bills.
www.urban.org
November 27, 2024 at 3:04 PM
🚨🚨 In new research from @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we used national survey data to look at fines and fees (tickets, court admin. fees, incarceration costs), finding that they can increase financial strains and economic disparities, undermining family well-being 🏛 🚔
www.urban.org/urban-wire/h...
www.urban.org/urban-wire/h...
How can federal taxes better support the economic prosperity of all US families?
www.urban.org/urban-wire/f...
www.urban.org/urban-wire/f...
Four Ways to Reduce Racial Inequities in the Federal Income Tax System
To advance racial equity, policymakers should consider how income tax policies and practices can exacerbate racial disparities in wealth and income.
www.urban.org
November 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM
How can federal taxes better support the economic prosperity of all US families?
www.urban.org/urban-wire/f...
www.urban.org/urban-wire/f...
Reposted by Aravind
One of the perks of working at Urban is the wide range of policy issues my colleagues care about - a complex web of topics that influence equity and well-being across communities. Follow along
go.bsky.app/8vqjVD2
go.bsky.app/8vqjVD2
The Urban Institute on Bluesky
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
November 27, 2024 at 2:40 PM
One of the perks of working at Urban is the wide range of policy issues my colleagues care about - a complex web of topics that influence equity and well-being across communities. Follow along
go.bsky.app/8vqjVD2
go.bsky.app/8vqjVD2