PREREQUISITE: Federal Income Tax (254J, 354J, 454J, or 554J).
This seminar will examine fundamental features of the US individual income tax system and will contrast the system with other possible approaches. It will feature policy considerations including fairness, efficiency, the political process and taxpayer behavior and will study issues including tax shelters, the efficacy of tax mechanisms as non-tax policy instruments, and the alternative of consumption taxation. Through student papers, the class will consider the merits of various reform proposals. Grade will be based on final paper and class participation, including presentation of paper in class.
Textbooks ( * denotes required )
Taxes in America: What Everyone Needs to Know
*
Leonard E. Burman and Joel Slemrod
Oxford University Press
,
edition: most recent likely 2012
ISBN: 978-0199890262
Morse, Susan C.