Tax Policy
Congress Gives Itself More Free Parking Than Its Own Rules Allow
As TransitCenter and the Frontier Group reported last week, the federal government pays a huge $7.3 billion subsidy to people who drive to work by making commuter parking expenses tax exempt. There are countless reasons for Congress to scrap this poorly-conceived, congestion-inducing subsidy. While policymakers consider the big picture, they also ought to examine how their own parking benefits are administered.
November 24, 2014
The Parking Tax Benefit: A $7.3 Billion Subsidy for Traffic Congestion
The federal government spends billions of dollars a year on tax subsidies that make traffic congestion worse, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by TransitCenter and the Frontier Group. The culprit is the parking commuter tax benefit, which costs taxpayers $7.3 billion in foregone revenue each year, all while adding more than 800,000 cars to rush-hour traffic on the nation's roads each workday, the authors estimate.
November 18, 2014
Lawmakers Could Finally Equalize Benefits for Transit and Parking This Year
It’s time to rev up the annual fight over parity between federal transit and parking benefits for commuters. Members of Congress hope this might finally be the year to get it done.
November 12, 2014
Missouri Says No to Amendment 7’s Monster Tax Hike for Roads
Last night, Missourians decided overwhelmingly to reject a ballot initiative that would have raised the sales tax by three-quarters of a cent to pay, almost exclusively, for roads. It would have been the largest tax increase in the state’s history.
August 6, 2014
What’s the Best Way to Tax Parking?
Taxing parking, the way Pittsburgh does, can make downtowns livelier and encourage a healthier mix of transportation options.
July 25, 2014
Talking Headways Podcast: Rondo Revisited
Finally, there is a light rail line connecting the Twin Cities. The Green Line, running 11 miles from Union Depot in downtown St. Paul to Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, cost $957 million and took decades to build. The process of choosing stations was contentious but eventually incorporated the proposals of low-income communities that wanted them, and the line is already being held up as a model. It's not the fastest way between the two downtowns, but it might be the best way. Jeff and I discuss.
June 20, 2014
Talking Headways Podcast: California Über Alles
And, side note: The giveaway for our spring pledge drive has changed since we recorded this podcast. Now, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a package of zines and books by feminist bike activist and writer Elly Blue. Thanks for your donation!
May 1, 2014
Uncle Sam Wants You to Drive: 5 Tax Breaks for Cars in the U.S. Tax Code
It’s April 15. If you bought an electric car in 2013, you can claim a tax break today. If you bought a plug-in hybrid, you can get a tax break today. But if you don’t own a car and walk to work instead? Sorry, Charlie.
April 15, 2014
Transit Benefit Reappears on the Congressional Agenda
The tax benefit for transit riders has zigzagged dizzily from parity with the car parking subsidy to second-class status. Currently, while drivers can pay for up to $250 in parking costs per month with pretax income, transit riders can't claim more than $130. Could it zigzag back up?
April 1, 2014
Might Atlanta Tax Parking to Fund Transit?
Last summer, voters from a 10-county region in and around Atlanta shot down a large package of transportation projects, including some major urban transit projects.
August 12, 2013