Tax Notes International highlights ACA’s advocacy work and recent DEG research study.

Key to ACA’s advocacy efforts for Residence-based taxation (RBT) is the publication of articles on the subject the RBT. The importance of the recent publication of an article by highly-respected journalist Robert Goulder of Tax Notes International in support of RBT and ACA’s advocacy, “Would Residence-Based Taxation Break the Bank?”, cannot be overstated . In his article, Goulder highlights the District Economics Group (DEG) research study undertaken by ACA’s sister organization, ACA Global Foundation, and stresses that RBT can be made revenue neutral – a serious “must” for the US Congress to pass any RBT style legislation.

“I’m banging the drum for revenue neutrality. RBT need not break the bank. As of last month, we have analytical confirmation. It arrived courtesy of a study performed by the District Economics Group LLC (DEG), a nonpartisan economic consulting firm. The DEG study goes deep into the money question, examining whether it’s possible for RBT to be revenue neutral. Spoiler alert: Of course it’s possible. The revenue effects of RBT over a 10-year budget period, running from 2022 to 2031, are estimated at $0.67 billion on the plus side. As someone who has lived inside the Capital Beltway for too long, I reserve the right to declare that anything that raises (or costs) less than $1 billion over 10 years can be safely rounded down (or up) to zero. Bingo. There’s your revenue neutrality — or the nearest thing to it.”

Showcasing ACA’s advocacy and DEG’s study in publications like Tax Notes International is important for our advocacy because publications like Tax Notes International are read by all those involved in tax reform on Capitol Hill, Committees, as well as Representatives. Important committees such as, House Ways & Means, Senate Finance, Joint Committee on Taxation and offices of the US Treasury, pay close attention to articles and opinion pieces published in Tax Notes International. Goulder’s article discusses ACA’s work on the subject of RBT, ACA’s “vanilla approach” to drafting RBT legislation and presents strong arguments for why RBT is the right way forward for tax reform. All this helps with ACA’s advocacy up on “The Hill”, which is the current focus for ACA’s Washington, DC-based team.

The community needs to help as well. Share Robert Goulder’s article on social media (Facebook / Instagram) and join our write-in campaigns asking that hearings be held so that ACA’s research, personal testimonials and other important data can be put on official record with the US Congress. Click here to visit our campaign page and join our efforts in support of Residence-based taxation (RBT).