The Tax Foundation with Jared Walczak

In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, we speak with Jared Walczak, Vice-President of State Projects at the Tax Foundation, and our very own Judy Vorndran. Jared talks about his work with the Tax Foundation, a non-profit, independent tax policy organization. He shares how he came into his role there and how he works with legislation about tax issues in a nonpartisan way. Listen as he shares what he sees will happen with tax policies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Questions asked and answered in this Episode:

How did Jared make his way to the Tax Foundation?
What does he focus on at the Tax Foundation?
Where does the Tax Foundation gather their data for analysis?
How are they structured to cover all 50 states?
How does he see states changing tax policies due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic?
What does he enjoy the most in his job?

What You Will Discover:

[01:00] How Jared joined the Tax Foundation and his first job in legislature
[03:08] Where he focuses his efforts and energy at the Tax Foundation
[04:41] An overview of the organization’s state tax team
[06:58] Where Tax Foundation gathers their data for analysis
[15:45] What is the Colorado Sales And Use Tax Simplification Task Force
[19:32] How the Tax Foundation strays from advocacy
[26:47] Jared’s “I told you so” moment
[31:32] How Judy learned about the Tax Foundation
[31:17] The Tax Foundation’s publications
[33:24] How state taxes vary and other tax issues
[42:26] How state tax policies can change due to the COVID-19 pandemic
[50:27] What Jared enjoys the most about his job

Quotables:

“We’re a small team. I’d like to think that ” - Jared Walczak [05:02]

“State lawmakers, they’re smart people, but they can’t all be experts on every issue. In many cases, they’re part-time. They honestly usually do not have significant full-time staff or if they do, it’s like a legislative assistant. I’ve been one. It’s not a huge policy research team that they have access to, so there’s this enormous need for serious but also digestible research and analysis, and I think it makes a huge difference. And we can provide that.” - Jared Walczak [14:07]

“I think that we have found the right approach. We do education.” - Jared Walczak [20:20]

“I found the Tax Foundation's maps, and I’ve been relying on them ever since, because it’s a way to see that snapshot of America and all the bits and pieces that you guys share.” - Judy Vorndran [31:57]