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Capitol Hill Briefing

Everything You Wanted to Know about Border Adjustability but Were Afraid to Ask

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Date and Time
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Location
2168 Rayburn House Office Building
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Featuring
Featuring Daniel J. Mitchell, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute; Brian Garst, Director of Policy and Communications, Center for Freedom and Prosperity; Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Mercatus Center; Stan Veuger, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; moderated by Peter Russo, Director of Congressional Affairs, Cato Institute.

House Republicans have proposed to replace the corporate income tax with a destination-based cash flow tax. Proponents say this new tax is desirable because it is “border adjustable,” which means that exports would be exempt from tax and all imports would be subject to tax. Critics, by contrast, say such a tax violates the rules of the World Trade Organization and worry that an adverse WTO decision could set the stage for a value-added tax. Moreover, there are concerns that destination-based taxes undermine tax competition, thus making it easier for politicians to raise tax rates and increase the burden of government spending.

Join us for a lively discussion as top scholars comb through the implications and provide their considered analysis on the merits and demerits of these important reforms.