Today is the last day for Americans to file taxes. AAF’s Regulation Rodeo finds that since 2009, regulations on taxes have added $2 billion in costs and over 75 million paperwork hours to the already lengthy process.

Tax time is causing confusion with some over how to report their health insurance. According to the Wall Street Journal, many are surprised when they see their refunds wiped out, or how much they owe the government due to receiving subsidies.  AAF’s Policy in 60 Seconds answers ‘What does the ACA mean for your tax bill?’

The Department of Veterans Affairs is still having trouble with reforms to serve more veterans efficiently. Congress is upset with the choice to funnel $830 million away from the program that allows vets to seek private medical care when the VA is too busy. 

Eakinomics: Tax Day, Not

It is April 15; the day each year on which policy bloggers, newsletters, and the vast punditry compete to humorously display the vast failings of the U.S. tax code. 

I won’t do it. I’m on strike. Which, by the way, is the plan of the Fight for $15, a coalition fomenting widespread strikes and walkoffs in McDonalds and other lower-wage employers. The desire for a higher minimum wage is a natural response to the 6-year old economic recovery that has generated lackluster growth (which is again tailing off), some jobs, but no productivity growth and real wage increases. This has produced real distress in America.

Unfortunately, the policy response has not been to pivot away from “tax, spend, regulate — repeat” toward policies that would genuinely raise the long-term growth potential of the United States. Instead, the administration has pushed a counterproductive, three-pronged strategy: raise the minimum wage, create more unions, and blame U.S. companies. As I argue here, none of these measures will further the goals of job creation and income growth. Indeed, they are likely counterproductive individually and as a whole.

Today will feature the traditional gnashing of teeth over the quality of U.S. taxation. This has merit. It will further feature demonstrations, attempts at unionization, strikes, and other planks of a failed labor market strategy.

From the Forum

Testimony: Assessing Alternatives to the ACA’s Individual Mandate by Douglas Holtz-Eakin, AAF President

Senate Action: What to know about the Every Child Achieves Act by Chad Miller, AAF Director of Education Policy

Video: Policy in 60 Seconds: The Obama Economy & Labor Market Regulation by Douglas Holtz-Eakin, AAF President

Revisiting Ex-Im Supports for American Small Business by Andy Winkler, AAF Director of Housing Finance Policy