Richard Rubin
@richardrubindc.bsky.social
U.S. Tax Policy Reporter at The Wall Street Journal in Washington.
(On Signal richardrubindc.08)
(On Signal richardrubindc.08)
In today's WSJ, we look at the administration's argument that the U.S. can grow its way out of the national debt crunch:
www.wsj.com/economy/fede...
www.wsj.com/economy/fede...
Bessent Says the U.S. Can Grow Its Way Out of the Debt Crunch. What Would It Take?
The Treasury secretary makes the argument that strong economic expansion is the antidote to climbing out of the deep debt hole.
www.wsj.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:48 PM
In today's WSJ, we look at the administration's argument that the U.S. can grow its way out of the national debt crunch:
www.wsj.com/economy/fede...
www.wsj.com/economy/fede...
Reposted by Richard Rubin
Great story by @themhartman.bsky.social on a topic I've long been obsessed with: Why are so many of the movers and shakers in conservative politics right now Duke alumni? www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Dukes in Trump’s Court
Duke University alumni have played high-profile roles in the Trump administration. A 2000s culture clash helps explain why.
www.theassemblync.com
July 24, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Great story by @themhartman.bsky.social on a topic I've long been obsessed with: Why are so many of the movers and shakers in conservative politics right now Duke alumni? www.theassemblync.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Richard Rubin
The indefatigable @richardrubindc.bsky.social puts this all in context: www.wsj.com/business/mic...
Microsoft’s Irish Hub Is Profit Powerhouse
A country-by-country EU reporting requirement forces companies to offer additional public tax details.
www.wsj.com
June 30, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The indefatigable @richardrubindc.bsky.social puts this all in context: www.wsj.com/business/mic...
From this morning's WSJ, my look at the Coca-Cola vs IRS fight that's been going on for more than a decade.
Here in 2026, the company and the taxman are still arguing over its 2007 tax returns and what a 1996 agreement means.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Here in 2026, the company and the taxman are still arguing over its 2007 tax returns and what a 1996 agreement means.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Coke Takes on IRS With $20 Billion at Stake
In a tax fight over foreign profits, the multinational giant and the U.S. head to court this week.
www.wsj.com
June 22, 2026 at 1:13 PM
From this morning's WSJ, my look at the Coca-Cola vs IRS fight that's been going on for more than a decade.
Here in 2026, the company and the taxman are still arguing over its 2007 tax returns and what a 1996 agreement means.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Here in 2026, the company and the taxman are still arguing over its 2007 tax returns and what a 1996 agreement means.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Reposted by Richard Rubin
On June 16, @hamiltonproject.org, @taxlawcenter.org, and @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social are hosting an event on business tax reform. Hear from two expert panels, including @avivaaron-dine.bsky.social, @kclausing.bsky.social, and @richardrubindc.bsky.social.
Taking on tax: The future of corporate taxation - The Hamilton Project
On June 16, The Hamilton Project, the Tax Law Center at NYU Law, and the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center will host an event on business tax reform.
www.hamiltonproject.org
June 10, 2026 at 2:15 PM
On June 16, @hamiltonproject.org, @taxlawcenter.org, and @taxpolicycenter.bsky.social are hosting an event on business tax reform. Hear from two expert panels, including @avivaaron-dine.bsky.social, @kclausing.bsky.social, and @richardrubindc.bsky.social.
New from me today: IRS gets a big victory in court over Liberty Global's "Project Soy" maneuver.
The ruling could help the government attack business transactions it deems dubious.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The ruling could help the government attack business transactions it deems dubious.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
IRS Notches Court Win Over ‘Project Soy’ Corporate Tax Maneuver
Ruling in Liberty Global case bolsters the government’s attack on tax-motivated transactions.
www.wsj.com
April 22, 2026 at 1:38 PM
New from me today: IRS gets a big victory in court over Liberty Global's "Project Soy" maneuver.
The ruling could help the government attack business transactions it deems dubious.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The ruling could help the government attack business transactions it deems dubious.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New from me: A look at the dice-rolling, dinosaur-smashing landscape of tax enforcement:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
America’s New Tax Mantra: ‘The IRS Isn’t Going to Catch Me’
The battered Internal Revenue Service shed thousands of enforcement employees—and more taxpayers appear eager to cheat.
www.wsj.com
April 13, 2026 at 3:13 PM
New from me: A look at the dice-rolling, dinosaur-smashing landscape of tax enforcement:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New: A federal judge in Texas blocked the administration's attempt to allow churches to do politics from the pulpit:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Judge Blocks Deal Allowing Churches to Endorse Political Candidates
The Trump administration had sought looser rules for religious groups.
www.wsj.com
March 31, 2026 at 8:34 PM
New: A federal judge in Texas blocked the administration's attempt to allow churches to do politics from the pulpit:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New from us.
The latest in an occasional project that I call We Read And Analyze 10-K Tax Footnotes So You Don't Have to.
Highlights: Nvidia's giant tax payment, moves in Ireland and Malta and fun facts about transferable tax credits.
www.wsj.com/business/nvi...
The latest in an occasional project that I call We Read And Analyze 10-K Tax Footnotes So You Don't Have to.
Highlights: Nvidia's giant tax payment, moves in Ireland and Malta and fun facts about transferable tax credits.
www.wsj.com/business/nvi...
Nvidia’s $17 Billion U.S. Payment Tops New Global Tax Disclosures
Companies reveal refunds as well as maneuvers in Ireland and Malta in newly required filings.
www.wsj.com
March 20, 2026 at 4:28 PM
New from us.
The latest in an occasional project that I call We Read And Analyze 10-K Tax Footnotes So You Don't Have to.
Highlights: Nvidia's giant tax payment, moves in Ireland and Malta and fun facts about transferable tax credits.
www.wsj.com/business/nvi...
The latest in an occasional project that I call We Read And Analyze 10-K Tax Footnotes So You Don't Have to.
Highlights: Nvidia's giant tax payment, moves in Ireland and Malta and fun facts about transferable tax credits.
www.wsj.com/business/nvi...
Reposted by Richard Rubin
New from me today:
Given everything, it feels strange to write about Democrats’ debate over what to put in a 2029 reconciliation bill.
But it’s happening already.
Can Dems raise $1T or $2T or $5T in revenue?
And which policies get first priority?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Given everything, it feels strange to write about Democrats’ debate over what to put in a 2029 reconciliation bill.
But it’s happening already.
Can Dems raise $1T or $2T or $5T in revenue?
And which policies get first priority?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Democratic Senators Hatch Plans to End Income Taxes for Millions of Americans
Plans from Sens. Cory Booker and Chris Van Hollen are spurring debate within their party.
www.wsj.com
March 11, 2026 at 1:49 PM
New from me today:
Given everything, it feels strange to write about Democrats’ debate over what to put in a 2029 reconciliation bill.
But it’s happening already.
Can Dems raise $1T or $2T or $5T in revenue?
And which policies get first priority?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Given everything, it feels strange to write about Democrats’ debate over what to put in a 2029 reconciliation bill.
But it’s happening already.
Can Dems raise $1T or $2T or $5T in revenue?
And which policies get first priority?
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Richard Rubin
JCT is live streaming its 100th birthday celebration on March 4. (I'm on the panel) www.jct.gov/live-stream/
February 27, 2026 at 6:15 PM
JCT is live streaming its 100th birthday celebration on March 4. (I'm on the panel) www.jct.gov/live-stream/
I’ve got a fun one this morning.
If you saw what you thought was a surefire money-making opportunity to go all-in, would you do it?
Alan Cole did, and here's what happened:
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
If you saw what you thought was a surefire money-making opportunity to go all-in, would you do it?
Alan Cole did, and here's what happened:
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
The Tax Nerd Who Bet His Life Savings Against DOGE
Until Elon Musk came roaring into the nation’s capital, Alan Cole was largely a plain-vanilla investor.
www.wsj.com
February 25, 2026 at 2:26 PM
I’ve got a fun one this morning.
If you saw what you thought was a surefire money-making opportunity to go all-in, would you do it?
Alan Cole did, and here's what happened:
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
If you saw what you thought was a surefire money-making opportunity to go all-in, would you do it?
Alan Cole did, and here's what happened:
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
New: The first batch of IRS filing season data is up.
www.irs.gov/newsroom/fil...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
www.irs.gov/newsroom/fil...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
Filing season statistics for week ending Feb. 6, 2026 | Internal Revenue Service
Cumulative statistics comparing February 2025 and February 2026.
www.irs.gov
February 14, 2026 at 1:16 AM
New: The first batch of IRS filing season data is up.
www.irs.gov/newsroom/fil...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
www.irs.gov/newsroom/fil...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
New from me:
The updated CBO baseline is out and there's a lot of red ink.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The updated CBO baseline is out and there's a lot of red ink.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
U.S. Budget Hole Set to Deepen by Trillions
The budget deficit will widen over the next decade as interest costs consume an increasing share of spending, the CBO said in a forecast that highlighted the country’s long-run fiscal challenges.
www.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:04 PM
New from me:
The updated CBO baseline is out and there's a lot of red ink.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
The updated CBO baseline is out and there's a lot of red ink.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New from me: Trump's tax law was a big win for Amazon.
The company's US profit went up and its US taxes went down.
www.wsj.com/business/tru...
The company's US profit went up and its US taxes went down.
www.wsj.com/business/tru...
Trump’s Tax Law Sharply Cuts Amazon’s Corporate Tax Bill
Breaks for investment and research lowered the company’s payments to the U.S. government.
www.wsj.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:37 PM
New from me: Trump's tax law was a big win for Amazon.
The company's US profit went up and its US taxes went down.
www.wsj.com/business/tru...
The company's US profit went up and its US taxes went down.
www.wsj.com/business/tru...
New from me: The fight over shaping the school-choice tax credit is happening.
Among the big questions is how much state control and regulation there will be.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Among the big questions is how much state control and regulation there will be.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New Tax Break for Private-School Scholarships Sets Off Power Struggle
Incoming money, expected in the billions, is prompting a lobbying battle over how much control states will have
www.wsj.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:46 PM
New from me: The fight over shaping the school-choice tax credit is happening.
Among the big questions is how much state control and regulation there will be.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Among the big questions is how much state control and regulation there will be.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
New from us: Trump's tax-disclosure lawsuit against the government he runs is mind-bending.
He supervises the private attorneys demanding at least $10 billion in damages--and also the government attorneys authorized to settle the case and pay him with federal money.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
He supervises the private attorneys demanding at least $10 billion in damages--and also the government attorneys authorized to settle the case and pay him with federal money.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Trump Lawsuit Against IRS Puts Him on Both Sides of the Same Case
President Trump’s lawsuit against the government that he runs presents a mind-bending minefield of conflicts that could end with his appointees approving a federal payout to him.
www.wsj.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:40 PM
New from us: Trump's tax-disclosure lawsuit against the government he runs is mind-bending.
He supervises the private attorneys demanding at least $10 billion in damages--and also the government attorneys authorized to settle the case and pay him with federal money.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
He supervises the private attorneys demanding at least $10 billion in damages--and also the government attorneys authorized to settle the case and pay him with federal money.
www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...
Yes. The tax code section in question -- 7431 -- specifically authorizes suits against the government for taxpayer privacy breaches when an officer or employee of the US is at fault.
January 30, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Yes. The tax code section in question -- 7431 -- specifically authorizes suits against the government for taxpayer privacy breaches when an officer or employee of the US is at fault.
Here's our updated full story on Trump suing the government he runs and demanding $10 billion.
Tax code Sec. 7431 in the spotlight and all sorts of complicated questions looming for Treasury/IRS/DOJ.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Tax code Sec. 7431 in the spotlight and all sorts of complicated questions looming for Treasury/IRS/DOJ.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump Sues Treasury Department, IRS Over Tax Return Leak
The president, his two eldest sons and business are named as plaintiffs in a civil complaint that seeks at least $10 billion in damages.
www.wsj.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Here's our updated full story on Trump suing the government he runs and demanding $10 billion.
Tax code Sec. 7431 in the spotlight and all sorts of complicated questions looming for Treasury/IRS/DOJ.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Tax code Sec. 7431 in the spotlight and all sorts of complicated questions looming for Treasury/IRS/DOJ.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Global minimum tax is getting real -- like basically erasing the GE Aerospace special tax rate in Singapore.
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
Global Minimum Tax Deal Makes GE Aerospace Pay More to Singapore
The new global minimum corporate tax took a bite out of GE Aerospace's bottom line last year and prompted the company to pay more taxes in Singapore.
Key pieces of the agreement among 140 countries to...
www.wsj.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Global minimum tax is getting real -- like basically erasing the GE Aerospace special tax rate in Singapore.
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
New from us: It's not just tax season. It's 10-K season too.
And this year, we're getting more granular information on where companies paid cash taxes.
First up with the new-style disclosures are Netflix, Intel and SLB.
www.wsj.com/articles/com...
And this year, we're getting more granular information on where companies paid cash taxes.
First up with the new-style disclosures are Netflix, Intel and SLB.
www.wsj.com/articles/com...
Companies Reveal Big Mystery: Where They Pay Taxes and How Much
Netflix and Intel are some of the first to comply with a new accounting rule that requires more details about corporate tax payments.
www.wsj.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:03 PM
New from us: It's not just tax season. It's 10-K season too.
And this year, we're getting more granular information on where companies paid cash taxes.
First up with the new-style disclosures are Netflix, Intel and SLB.
www.wsj.com/articles/com...
And this year, we're getting more granular information on where companies paid cash taxes.
First up with the new-style disclosures are Netflix, Intel and SLB.
www.wsj.com/articles/com...
Tax season is here, featuring much larger expected refunds.
That was an intentional strategy by Republicans to draw attention to their tax cuts, to make voters notice that they're getting something.
Will it work?
My story:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
That was an intentional strategy by Republicans to draw attention to their tax cuts, to make voters notice that they're getting something.
Will it work?
My story:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump’s High-Stakes Bid to Dole Out $100 Billion More in Tax Refunds
The Republican strategy puts pressure on a shrunken IRS to get cash out quickly—and bets on taxpayers to return the favor in midterm elections this fall.
www.wsj.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Tax season is here, featuring much larger expected refunds.
That was an intentional strategy by Republicans to draw attention to their tax cuts, to make voters notice that they're getting something.
Will it work?
My story:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
That was an intentional strategy by Republicans to draw attention to their tax cuts, to make voters notice that they're getting something.
Will it work?
My story:
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
1 and 2 are especially interesting. 3, I would think we would have seen in share-price declines?
Some potential ideas:
-Higher rate of year-end Roth conversions (offset by higher SALT deduction + age-65 deduction?)
-Exercise of ISOs before the less favorable AMT rules kick in for 2026
-Maybe just a lot of people locking in capital gains before the AI bubble pops?
-Higher rate of year-end Roth conversions (offset by higher SALT deduction + age-65 deduction?)
-Exercise of ISOs before the less favorable AMT rules kick in for 2026
-Maybe just a lot of people locking in capital gains before the AI bubble pops?
January 16, 2026 at 10:12 PM
1 and 2 are especially interesting. 3, I would think we would have seen in share-price declines?