The essays in this volume assess the current state of distributional analysis in the policy process and suggest improvements
that could soon be implemented. David F. Bradford is a professor of economics and public affairs, Princeton University, and an adjunct scholar at AEI. Excerpts from his introduction follow.
The distribution of tax
burdens is a central aspect of tax policy. Changes in the tax rules redistribute after-tax income and wealth among people in a variety of ways. Some are obvious, as when an increase in the top income-tax-bracket rates raises the burdens on high-income individuals. Some are much more difficult to identify, as when a change in depreciation rules affects the relative profitability of
different industries and thereby the fortunes of the owners, workers, customers, and suppliers of different businesses.