Erika Frankel
@emfrankel.bsky.social
Cats, cooking, programming, and tax policy. Data and Model Director @itep.bsky.social but all opinions are my own.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
Statistical agencies hollowed out, research programs suspended, qualified leaders kicked to the curb.
Why does access to data from the federal government matter?
itep.org/dismantling-...
Why does access to data from the federal government matter?
itep.org/dismantling-...
Dismantling Access to the Truth is a Big Deal
As federal data systems erode, the U.S. risks losing the impartial information needed for sound policymaking and public trust.
itep.org
August 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Statistical agencies hollowed out, research programs suspended, qualified leaders kicked to the curb.
Why does access to data from the federal government matter?
itep.org/dismantling-...
Why does access to data from the federal government matter?
itep.org/dismantling-...
Reposted by Erika Frankel
The Social Security Administration doesn't generally send out emails cheerleading for tax cuts, so this one received over the weekend was an odd one. SSA wants us to know they are "celebrating" the passage of legislation that blows a multi-trillion dollar hole in the federal budget over ten years.
July 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The Social Security Administration doesn't generally send out emails cheerleading for tax cuts, so this one received over the weekend was an odd one. SSA wants us to know they are "celebrating" the passage of legislation that blows a multi-trillion dollar hole in the federal budget over ten years.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
NEW: 69% of tax cuts in the Senate GOP bill go to the richest 20% of Americans. Just 11% go to the middle class.
Working families get crumbs - and then lose even those to Trump's tariffs.
Our full analysis: itep.org/analysis-of-...
Working families get crumbs - and then lose even those to Trump's tariffs.
Our full analysis: itep.org/analysis-of-...
Analysis of Tax Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Bill: National and State Level Estimates
Compared to its House counterpart, the Senate bill makes certain tax provisions more generous, including corporate tax breaks that it makes permanent rather than temporary. But the bottom line for bot...
itep.org
June 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
NEW: 69% of tax cuts in the Senate GOP bill go to the richest 20% of Americans. Just 11% go to the middle class.
Working families get crumbs - and then lose even those to Trump's tariffs.
Our full analysis: itep.org/analysis-of-...
Working families get crumbs - and then lose even those to Trump's tariffs.
Our full analysis: itep.org/analysis-of-...
If someone hands you $100 and also breaks your leg, you have not come out ahead in terms of either your finances or your quality of life. This post is about the GOP Tax Bill.
June 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
If someone hands you $100 and also breaks your leg, you have not come out ahead in terms of either your finances or your quality of life. This post is about the GOP Tax Bill.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
The House-passed tax plan includes more than 100 provisions, many of which could alter state tax policy and harm state budgets.
We explore five notable tax provisions that state lawmakers should think twice about before following the federal government's lead.
itep.org/five-issues-...
We explore five notable tax provisions that state lawmakers should think twice about before following the federal government's lead.
itep.org/five-issues-...
Five Issues for States to Watch in the Federal Tax Debate
This post covers five particularly notable provisions for states: increasing deductions for state and local taxes (SALT) paid, allowing more generous tax write-offs for businesses, offering new avenue...
itep.org
June 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The House-passed tax plan includes more than 100 provisions, many of which could alter state tax policy and harm state budgets.
We explore five notable tax provisions that state lawmakers should think twice about before following the federal government's lead.
itep.org/five-issues-...
We explore five notable tax provisions that state lawmakers should think twice about before following the federal government's lead.
itep.org/five-issues-...
Reposted by Erika Frankel
Horrible crap buried in the 389 page behemoth Congress is trying to shove down our throats: blocking any state from regulating AI for the next decade. If you don’t want to bow down to tech bros in this way, get involved at fairshareusa.org www.techpolicy.press/us-house-com...
US House Committee Advances 10-Year Moratorium on State AI Regulation | TechPolicy.Press
After an amendment challenging the moratorium language failed, it will advance with the rest of the legislative package.
www.techpolicy.press
May 15, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Horrible crap buried in the 389 page behemoth Congress is trying to shove down our throats: blocking any state from regulating AI for the next decade. If you don’t want to bow down to tech bros in this way, get involved at fairshareusa.org www.techpolicy.press/us-house-com...
So, if you were only getting one doll in the first place, does that mean you get...idk...a foot? Merry 6.666% of Christmas, everybody. Here's your doll foot.
May 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So, if you were only getting one doll in the first place, does that mean you get...idk...a foot? Merry 6.666% of Christmas, everybody. Here's your doll foot.
A huge IRS data project is being run by a company named after the mind-control device masquerading as an information tool that Sauron used to corrupt a powerful force for good.
Palantir Is Helping DOGE With a Massive IRS Data Project
For the past three days, DOGE and a handful of Palantir representatives, along with dozens of career IRS engineers, have been collaborating to build a “mega API,” WIRED has learned.
www.wired.com
April 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A huge IRS data project is being run by a company named after the mind-control device masquerading as an information tool that Sauron used to corrupt a powerful force for good.
I suspect other agencies will also end up doing this. Looks like those of us who work in policy may need to dive back into the cesspool to keep up with what's going on.
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate’ moving forward
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate’ moving forward
thehill.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I suspect other agencies will also end up doing this. Looks like those of us who work in policy may need to dive back into the cesspool to keep up with what's going on.
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate’ moving forward
Social Security Administration ‘will be using X to communicate’ moving forward
You know you work with wonks when their protest signs have footnotes.
April 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
You know you work with wonks when their protest signs have footnotes.
A few months isn't long enough to even properly test an overhaul of a code base the size and importance of the Social Security system, let alone actually implement and deploy it. Unless, of course, the new requirement set is simply "Fail." That's totally doable in the time frame.
March 29, 2025 at 11:36 AM
A few months isn't long enough to even properly test an overhaul of a code base the size and importance of the Social Security system, let alone actually implement and deploy it. Unless, of course, the new requirement set is simply "Fail." That's totally doable in the time frame.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
Our tax code needs to increase, not reduce, tax payments from those most able to pay.
But if lawmakers approve the tax measures that President Trump proposes, they will make our tax system less adequate and less fair.
The rich will benefit even more than they already do. itep.org/federal-tax-...
But if lawmakers approve the tax measures that President Trump proposes, they will make our tax system less adequate and less fair.
The rich will benefit even more than they already do. itep.org/federal-tax-...
March 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Our tax code needs to increase, not reduce, tax payments from those most able to pay.
But if lawmakers approve the tax measures that President Trump proposes, they will make our tax system less adequate and less fair.
The rich will benefit even more than they already do. itep.org/federal-tax-...
But if lawmakers approve the tax measures that President Trump proposes, they will make our tax system less adequate and less fair.
The rich will benefit even more than they already do. itep.org/federal-tax-...
Schrodinger's Immigrant: A person whose address is available on IRS tax filings because they are a freeloader who doesn't file their taxes.
March 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Schrodinger's Immigrant: A person whose address is available on IRS tax filings because they are a freeloader who doesn't file their taxes.
I guarantee that if 50% of Howard Lutnick's income just didn't show up one month, he'd be screaming to know why.
March 23, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I guarantee that if 50% of Howard Lutnick's income just didn't show up one month, he'd be screaming to know why.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
In which people can turn a profit donating to predatory anti-abortion facilities while also withholding tax dollars from programs that benefit everyone.
Missouri is debating a 100% tax credit for donations to anti-abortion centers.
This measure would let many residents give to such groups in lieu of paying any state income taxes.
Stock donations could even result in a personal profit for “donors.”
itep.org/proposed-mis...
This measure would let many residents give to such groups in lieu of paying any state income taxes.
Stock donations could even result in a personal profit for “donors.”
itep.org/proposed-mis...
Proposed Missouri Tax Shelter Would Aid the Wealthy, Anti-Abortion Centers Alike
In Missouri, donations to anti-abortion pregnancy resource centers come with state tax credits valued at 70 cents on the dollar. One bill currently being debated in the state would increase that match...
itep.org
March 7, 2025 at 2:23 AM
In which people can turn a profit donating to predatory anti-abortion facilities while also withholding tax dollars from programs that benefit everyone.
Reposted by Erika Frankel
Don’t let Trump’s attempts at inciting hate distract you: what he and Musk actually want to do is destroy our public institutions and provide enormous tax cuts to their buddies and contributors.
Trump’s Address to Congress Obscures His Actual Tax Agenda
In last night’s address to Congress, President Trump spent more time insulting Americans, lying, and bragging than he did talking…
itep.org
March 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Don’t let Trump’s attempts at inciting hate distract you: what he and Musk actually want to do is destroy our public institutions and provide enormous tax cuts to their buddies and contributors.
We're firing thousands of federal workers and gutting critical services so Jeff Bezos can *checks notes* launch Katy Perry into space. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #taxtherich
February 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
We're firing thousands of federal workers and gutting critical services so Jeff Bezos can *checks notes* launch Katy Perry into space. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #taxtherich
Reposted by Erika Frankel
Did you pay income taxes last year?
Then you paid more than Tesla.
The most valuable automaker in the world paid $0 income tax in 2024.
itep.org/tesla-report...
Then you paid more than Tesla.
The most valuable automaker in the world paid $0 income tax in 2024.
itep.org/tesla-report...
Tesla Reported Zero Federal Income Tax on $2 Billion of U.S. Income in 2024
Tesla reported $2.3 billion of U.S. income in 2024 but paid zero federal income tax. Over the past three years, the Elon Musk-led company reports $10.8 billion of U.S. income on which its current fede...
itep.org
February 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Did you pay income taxes last year?
Then you paid more than Tesla.
The most valuable automaker in the world paid $0 income tax in 2024.
itep.org/tesla-report...
Then you paid more than Tesla.
The most valuable automaker in the world paid $0 income tax in 2024.
itep.org/tesla-report...
I find myself craving any opportunity to push kindness out into this world so I'm spending my evenings crocheting a big box of leftover yarn into little mats/blankets to donate to the local pet shelter.
February 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I find myself craving any opportunity to push kindness out into this world so I'm spending my evenings crocheting a big box of leftover yarn into little mats/blankets to donate to the local pet shelter.
I am a software engineer. Nobody should send me to root out fraud or abuse in financial systems. Because I don't know how to do that. At all. The people who know how to do that are called forensic accountants. Send them.
February 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I am a software engineer. Nobody should send me to root out fraud or abuse in financial systems. Because I don't know how to do that. At all. The people who know how to do that are called forensic accountants. Send them.
Email today from the local small organic farmer where I get my CSA about how the freeze on agriculture programs tripled his USDA organic certification fees while the price of seeds is up 25% and all his costs continue to rise. But let's give billionaires more tax breaks. #taxtherich
February 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Email today from the local small organic farmer where I get my CSA about how the freeze on agriculture programs tripled his USDA organic certification fees while the price of seeds is up 25% and all his costs continue to rise. But let's give billionaires more tax breaks. #taxtherich
Reposted by Erika Frankel
NEW: 1 policy change can boost state tax revenues by nearly $19 billion by cracking down on corporate tax avoidance.
Worldwide combined reporting eliminates corporations' ability to shift income to subsidiaries in other states & countries.
Our latest report explains how. itep.org/worldwide-co...
Worldwide combined reporting eliminates corporations' ability to shift income to subsidiaries in other states & countries.
Our latest report explains how. itep.org/worldwide-co...
A Revenue Analysis of Worldwide Combined Reporting in the States
Universal adoption of mandatory worldwide combined reporting would boost state corporate income tax revenues by roughly 14 percent. Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia would experience re...
itep.org
February 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW: 1 policy change can boost state tax revenues by nearly $19 billion by cracking down on corporate tax avoidance.
Worldwide combined reporting eliminates corporations' ability to shift income to subsidiaries in other states & countries.
Our latest report explains how. itep.org/worldwide-co...
Worldwide combined reporting eliminates corporations' ability to shift income to subsidiaries in other states & countries.
Our latest report explains how. itep.org/worldwide-co...
Reposted by Erika Frankel
The only major modern presidential candidate to refuse to divulge his own tax returns thinks unelected untrained tech bros should have access to yours.
Musk Team Seeks Access to I.R.S. System With Taxpayers’ Records
A White House spokesman said that the initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency needed to review data to fix waste within the agency.
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The only major modern presidential candidate to refuse to divulge his own tax returns thinks unelected untrained tech bros should have access to yours.