Federal Tax Policy - (Studies of Government Finance) 5th Edition by Joseph a Pechman (Paperback)

About the Book

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One of the major architects of comprehensive tax reform has revised his widely acclaimed book on tax policy to reflect the changes brought about by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and all other major changes in tax laws since 1983. Joseph A. Pechman's Federal Tax Po...

Book Synopsis

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One of the major architects of comprehensive tax reform has revised his widely acclaimed book on tax policy to reflect the changes brought about by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and all other major changes in tax laws since 1983. Joseph A. Pechman's Federal Tax Policy is a nontechnical book for general readers and students interested in taxation as an instrument of public policy. It emphasizes such current issues as a comprehensive income taxation, inflation adjustments in income taxation, graduated income taxes versus expenditure taxes, the effects of taxation on economic incentives, and fiscal relations between the federal and state and local governments. Pechman presents and evaluates contrasting views on most forms of taxation--personal and corporate income, general and selective consumption, payroll, estate and gift, property, and state and local--and offers a perceptive analysis of the process of tax legislation and the role of taxation in the fiscal policy. He also provides a valuable series of statistical table on tax developments and an extensive bibliography on tax theory and practice.

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From the Back Cover

This fifth edition of Federal Tax Policy, like its predecessors, is intended to explain such issues so that the interested citizen may better understand and contribute to public discussion of tax policy. This edition reflects tax developments between 1983 and 1987 and emphasizes the newer issues: comprehensive income taxation, the effects of taxation on economic incentives, inflation adjustments for income tax purposes, the relative merits of graduated income taxes and expenditure taxes, and changes in the fiscal relations between the federal and the state and local governments.

Review Quotes

."..a gem as an introduction to the subject--a shining combination of good writing and good thinking. Pechman demonstrates again his ability to clarify both the fiscal and social significance of U.S. tax policy. This third edition...is crammed with useful information for officials, economists, and taxpayers." -- "The Wilson Quarterly"

."..retains the same eminently readable style. The author again manages to summarize policy issues in clear and concise manner without repressing his own view point. Written to inform the nonexpert, the book provides valuable insights for expert and nonexpert alike." -- "Journal of Finance"

"Joseph A. Pechman's Federal Tax Policy, now in its Fourth Edition, is a classic...Indeed, the book is a remarkable compendium of taxes, covering their history and current status, the legislative process that enacts them, and the policy issues being debated." -- "National Forum"

"Joseph Pechman's Federal Tax Policy, written in a style accessible to the nonspecialist, is a superb introduction to this complex area of public policy." -- "The Wall Street Review of Books"

About the Author

Joseph A. Pechman is a former director of Economic Studies and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.