Money will be tight. Americans will suffer. Will the top 10% step up?

Los Angeles Times - Mar 22nd, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced the corporate tax rate and increased the federal estate tax exemption, has significantly benefited America's wealthiest individuals, who have seen their wealth grow by trillions. However, a report from the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation warns that starting in 2027, lower- and middle-class families could face higher tax rates than before 2017. Additionally, the law's changes led to a $20 billion decrease in charitable donations, impacting organizations that support those in need.

The implications of these tax cuts are far-reaching, as they coincide with a potential economic downturn signaled by the Federal Reserve. With the prospect of a recession, the reduction in charitable giving could exacerbate challenges for nonprofits that rely on tax-incentivized donations. This situation raises concerns about the sustainability of relying on the private sector to address social needs, especially as the wealthiest continue to benefit disproportionately. The broader economic context, including job participation and unemployment rates, highlights the need to re-evaluate the law's impact on societal inequality and fiscal responsibility.

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RATING

5.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a critical examination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, focusing on its impacts on wealth distribution, tax rates, and charitable donations. While it effectively highlights issues of public interest and maintains relevance to ongoing policy debates, the article's overall quality is hindered by its lack of balance, transparency, and source attribution. The narrative is engaging and clear, but the tone is somewhat opinionated, which may affect the perceived neutrality of the content. To enhance its credibility and impact, the article would benefit from a more balanced presentation of viewpoints and clearer disclosure of sources. Despite these limitations, the article succeeds in raising awareness of significant issues related to tax policy and economic inequality, contributing to informed public discourse.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, some of which are accurate, while others require clarification or correction. For instance, the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% is a well-documented fact. However, the claim about the federal estate tax exemption increasing to $27 million for married couples is slightly overstated; the actual figure is $22.8 million. The article also mentions a $20 billion decrease in charitable donations, a specific claim that lacks direct verification from available sources.

The discussion of potential tax increases for lower- and middle-class families starting in 2027 is based on analyses by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee of Taxation, suggesting some credibility. However, the article's assertion that these increases would exceed pre-2017 rates is not directly supported by the sources.

The claim that billionaires have increased their wealth by trillions since the tax cuts lacks specific figures and could benefit from more precise data. Similarly, the statement that the top 10% own 90% of all stocks needs verification, as such figures can vary.

Overall, while the article presents some accurate information about the TCJA, it also includes claims that require further verification or correction to ensure complete factual accuracy.

5
Balance

The article exhibits a noticeable bias in its presentation, particularly against the perceived beneficiaries of the TCJA, such as billionaires and the top 10% of earners. The tone and language suggest a critical stance towards these groups, implying that they have disproportionately benefited at the expense of the broader population.

While the article highlights the negative consequences of the tax cuts, such as potential tax increases for lower- and middle-class families and a decrease in charitable donations, it does not sufficiently explore any potential positive outcomes or perspectives from supporters of the TCJA. This lack of balance in presenting different viewpoints limits the article's fairness and comprehensiveness.

The article could benefit from including perspectives from economists or policymakers who support the TCJA, offering a more nuanced view of the law's impacts. By presenting a wider range of viewpoints, the article would provide a more balanced and informative analysis of the tax reform's effects.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow for readers. The narrative flows logically from one point to the next, discussing the impacts of the TCJA and providing historical context for charitable donations.

However, the article's tone is somewhat informal and opinionated, which may affect the perceived neutrality of the information presented. Phrases like "Sadly, the law is set to expire" and "It would be just awful if America’s billionaires lost the gift" suggest a subjective perspective, which might detract from the clarity of the factual content.

Despite these issues, the article effectively communicates its main points and arguments. Improving the neutrality of the language would enhance clarity by ensuring that the focus remains on the factual content rather than the author's opinions.

4
Source quality

The article does not provide direct citations or references to specific sources, such as the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee of Taxation, which are mentioned in the text. This lack of attribution to authoritative sources diminishes the credibility of the claims made.

Furthermore, the article relies on general statements and assertions without backing them up with data or studies from reputable institutions. For instance, the claim about the decrease in charitable donations lacks a clear source or study to support it.

To improve source quality, the article should include references to credible reports, studies, or expert opinions that substantiate its claims. By doing so, it would enhance the reliability and authority of the information presented.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in its presentation of information, as it does not clearly disclose the sources or methodology behind its claims. For example, the article mentions analyses by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee of Taxation but does not provide links or references to these analyses.

Additionally, the article does not explain the basis for its claims about billionaires' wealth increase or the ownership of stocks by the top 10%. Without clear disclosure of how these figures were obtained or calculated, readers are left without a clear understanding of the data's origins.

To improve transparency, the article should provide explicit references to the sources of its information and explain the methodology behind any calculations or statistics presented. This would allow readers to verify the claims and understand the context in which they were made.

Sources

  1. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/tax_cuts_and_jobs_act_of_2017_(tcja)
  2. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=371194http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D371194
  3. https://taxfoundation.org/taxedu/glossary/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act/
  4. https://qresear.ch/?q=UNITED+STATES
  5. https://www.investopedia.com/taxes/trumps-tax-reform-plan-explained/