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Taxes to Finance Superfund
Since its reauthorization in 1986 through December 31, 1995, the Hazardous Substance Superfund, which was first created in 1980, has been financed largely by the revenues generated from three excise taxes on petroleum and chemicals and a special income tax on corporations.
Adoption: Interethnic Placement Legislation In the 104th Congress
This report discusses the legislation by the 104th Congress to increase overall adoption rates by prohibiting racial and other discriminatory practices in the adoption process. The report identifies this as a provision of the Small Business Job Protection Act, which will also increase minimum wage.
The Flat Tax and Other Proposals: Effects on Housing
Several proposals for major reform of the Federal income tax system, including replacement of the current tax with a new type of tax, have been introduced or considered in the 104th Congress. Among the most widely discussed are the flat tax, a value-added tax, a national sales tax, a proposal for a direct consumption tax (called the USA tax), and income tax reform. Most of these new taxes convert the tax base from an income to a consumption base, most eliminate deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes, and most flatten the rate structure--in some cases by adopting a single tax rate. While these tax revisions touch on all aspects of the economy, this paper focuses on the effects on housing.
Effects of Flat Taxes and Other Proposals on Housing: An Overview
Studies have estimated that some of these revisions would cause a decline in demand for houses and significant reduction in house prices--perhaps in excess of 15 percent. These studies, however, presumed a fixed supply of housing; even a limited supply response would greatly decrease predicted asset price effects. Supply response is likely to be large in the long run and not insignificant in the short run. Effects on housing demand might also be mitigated by increases in savings rates and lower interest rates. Thus, effects of the flat tax on housing prices are likely to be limited in the short run and very small in the long run. Rental housing demand, on the other hand, would be encouraged with a shift to a consumption tax base.
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