In just one year, over 9,000 Iowans moved to Florida, Texas, and South Dakota – all states that do not have an income tax. Since 1980, the nation’s population has grown by more than 40 percent, and Iowa’s population has only grown 7 percent. Tax rates have a direct impact on the population. States with lower tax rates have […]
Barbers and hairstylists in Iowa must cut through massive amounts of red tape before they can cut hair. Red tape, in the form of excessive regulations, makes it harder for Iowa to attract new residents and create new opportunities for current workers. Sadly, these burdensome regulations are not only cost-prohibitive for many, but they also shut the door on improving […]
The Cedar Rapids Gazette recently published a guest column from Walt Rogers, TEF Iowa Deputy Director about the impending implementation of the “Cadillac Tax.” Under the Cadillac Tax, the federal government will impose a 40 percent excise tax on all employer-sponsored health insurance plans, as well as workplace-provided health care and wellness programs. ‘Soaring deductibles and medical bills are […]
Iowa competes with 49 states for businesses and people. What policies will allow Iowa to be more competitive and attract more people, businesses, and entrepreneurial activity? While the economy overall is doing well, Iowa is still confronted with some serious economic problems. Whether it is slow population growth, a growing divide between rural and urban communities, or a shortage […]
People vote with their feet. Iowa’s population and economic growth requires lowering income tax rates and controlling spending. There is clear evidence states that reduce tax rates and control spending not only grow economically but attract new residents. Tax rates matter and the more a government taxes something the less you get. High taxes not only discourage investment, entrepreneurship, […]
Sour grapes! Iowa has the fourth highest tax on wine in the nation. When considering wine, Iowa may not necessarily be the first region connoisseurs think about. However, Iowa’s wine industry does have an economic impact in our state. Iowans and tourists often visit one of nearly 100 wineries and the state government taxes wine at $1.75 per gallon, […]
Fraud and abuse within Medicaid are not only hurting those who truly need services, but it is also fleecing taxpayers. Several states have recently found fraud and abuse within their Medicaid programs. Fraud and abuse within Medicaid are not only hurting those who truly need services, but it is also fleecing taxpayers. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, which […]
Lobster tail, crab, booze, and a foosball table were purchased in the Federal Government’s use-it-or-lose-it spending spree. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) won election to the United States Senate for promising to make the federal government “squeal.” The reference is in response to the out-of-control spending that has plagued the federal government for decades. The current federal budget process is broken, […]
Arizona is a national leader in occupational licensing reform and creating an environment where everyone can work and earn a living. States are in fierce competition to attract new citizens. Those with low tax rates are already proving that tax rates matter, while states with higher rates are experiencing an exodus as people leave for better tax and economic climates. […]
Taxpayer dollars lost to waste, fraud, or abuse are dollars that cannot fund services for those who truly need the services. Beth Wood, who serves as North Carolina State Auditor, reported the “state Department of Health and Human Services improperly paid more than $100 million in Medicaid claims during fiscal year 2018.” The “errors” consisted of “overpayments to providers, along with […]
TEF Iowa Hires Former Iowa State Representative Walt Rogers will lead the organization as deputy director WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (May 6, 2019) – Today, Tax Education Foundation of Iowa (TEF Iowa), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes economic freedom, announced former State Representative Walt Rogers will be leading the organization. Rogers will serve as the deputy director where he […]
Unfortunately, for many young and low skilled workers, raising the minimum wage actually results in lowering their wage to $0 because they will no longer have the legal opportunity to sell their labor to provide for themselves. Guest Column By Christina Herrin As presidential candidate hopefuls make their trek to the cornfields of Iowa, they bring with them socialist policy […]
Addressing our massive national debt should be a top priority. Iowans must understand that the national debt crisis will not only impact them directly, but also state finances. The national debt has reached $22 trillion. Federal spending is now approaching $4.7 trillion as Congress currently debates President Donald Trump’s proposed budget. James Grant, editor of Grant’s Interest Rate Observer, […]
The Right to Earn a Living Act, along with additional occupational licensing reform, will reduce barriers to the workforce and create economic opportunity and liberty. “Just because somebody packs up that moving van in Chicago, Illinois, they don’t lose their skills on the way to the state of Arizona. Why should somebody have to suffer the burden of thousands […]
Property tax bills might increase from valuation growth more than the promised reduction from increasing the sales tax. Many property owners in Polk County received a shock recently as they opened their new property tax assessments. Assessments in Polk County increased from 7.1 percent in Johnston to 11.6 percent in Des Moines. Numerous property owners saw a 10 percent […]
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) wants Uncle Sam to spend $315 billion on teacher salaries. This is dangerous for states, school districts, and is not the role of the federal government. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), who is also a current Democrat presidential candidate, recently proposed a new federal program that would spend $315 billion over 10 years to increase teacher […]
States with lower tax rates are creating more jobs than states with higher tax rates. The economic principle holds true: the more you tax something, the less you get. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has been a shot of adrenaline for job creation. This is especially true for states that have lower tax rates. Low tax states are […]
Constitutional spending limits are an effective means to control the growth of spending and protect the interests of taxpayers. Other states can learn a lesson from Colorado. Some will be disappointed this lesson is not about the legalization of marijuana, but rather Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights or TABOR. In 1992 Colorado voters adopted TABOR, a constitutional amendment that limits […]
New York has a permanent property tax cap to slow the growth of tax bills. New York is not known as a tax friendly state. The Empire State’s high tax rates have received national attention as they have forced an exodus of people leaving New York in search of lower tax states. Although New Yorkers continue to struggle under […]
How much money does the government take from you each year? Keeping track of what you pay in income, property, sales, and excise taxes is nearly impossible. We make it easy! TEF Iowa is building a What’s My Tax Calculator. When completed, you will quickly be able to you’ll see exactly how much Iowa costs you.
Unshackling the tax burden from Iowa small businesses does not just allow them to expand, but it also benefits their employees. Lana Pol, owner of several businesses in Pella and Des Moines recently testified before the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Budget. Ms. Pol was representing the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and she spoke […]
This is either lazy reporting or intentionally inaccurate. Tax refunds do not indicate if a person’s tax liability increased or decreased. Americans across the country are filing their federal income taxes and many are seeing lower than expected refunds or getting the shock of having to pay more taxes to the federal government. Many liberal politicians and media outlets […]
Iowa has many attractive qualities in making it a great place to live. If policymakers want to grow our population, the best way to encourage growth is by lowering tax rates so our state is more competitive. Population trends show that states with low tax rates are gaining new residents, while an exodus is underway in high tax states. […]
This case is another example of our cultural decline. Since the mid-20th century the United States has been on a steady course of secularization. The Supreme Court will decide if a Bladensburg, Maryland memorial cross dedicated to soldiers who died in World War 1 is a violation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. In 1925 the American Legion established […]
The freest economies operate with minimal government interference, relying instead on personal choice and free markets. Learn more about the Economic Freedom work that has been done by our partners at the Fraser Institute and see how Iowa measures up with the rest of the United States.