Raising Revenues and Closing Tax Loopholes to Fund Public Pensions
A practical guide for pension advocates seeking sustainable revenue solutions
Many of America's largest corporations pay less in state taxes than working families—or nothing at all. Meanwhile, state budgets face pressure and public pensions compete for limited resources. This doesn't have to be the status quo.
Two-Thirds of Voters Support Closing Loopholes First
Recent polling shows overwhelming public support for closing corporate tax loopholes before cutting public services. This toolkit, Ensuring Funding for Public Pensions: A Guide to Raising Revenues and Closing Tax Loopholes, gives pension advocates the research methods, policy options, and communication strategies to make that vision a reality.
What You'll Find Inside
Part I: State Tax Revenue Trends and Implications for Public Pension Funding
The authors examines why state revenues are growing more slowly than the economy—and what it means for pension funding. The analysis reveals that while personal income rose 24% after the Great Recession, state tax revenues increased only 13% from their pre-recession peak.
This section identifies some of the causes of this decline in tax revenue and highlights opportunities for generating sustainable tax revenues.
Part II: A Toolkit for Challenging Corporate Loopholes and Subsidies
You’ll find practical steps to identify which corporations aren't paying their share, understand common loopholes like passive investment companies, and build campaigns for reform.
The guide includes sample questions you can ask your state revenue department to discover how many major employers pay zero corporate income tax. In Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, these questions revealed that 40-80% of the largest corporations paid no state income taxes—findings that generated media attention and policy changes.
Proven Methods for Gathering Data for Concrete Policy Solutions
Learn about the three most common loopholes states can close, from throwback rules to combined reporting. The appendices provide state-by-state breakdowns of which revenue options are available in your jurisdiction.
Download the full report to access research templates, case studies from successful campaigns, and a complete policy toolkit for protecting public pensions.