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NEW ON THE BLOG: Our @sion_bell and @mirandalit17 look at President Biden's latest batch of executive branch appointees, which bafflingly features both a proponent and an opponent of Trump's 2017 corporate tax cuts. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
Biden has chosen Kimberly Clausing, a committed progressive tax advocate, and Itai Grinberg, a Republican career expert in corporate tax avoidance, as its first two appointees to the Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
"Clausing is a renowned expert in international corporate taxation and has long been a proponent of reforming tax laws to prevent base erosion and profit-shifting overseas." https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
During the 2017 debates over tax reform, Clausing testified before Congress on the need for more progressive taxation and preserving corporate income tax rates above those on individual income: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115shrg32785/html/CHRG-115shrg32785.htm
Conversely, Itai Grinberg — who was tapped by Biden to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Tax in the Office of Tax Policy — has a long history of promoting tax policy that benefits large corporations. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
In the early 2000s, before his first stint in government under Republican George W. Bush, Grinberg advised corporations on tax law and policy at BigLaw firm Skadden Arps. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
In 2005, President Bush appointed Grinberg to serve as counsel to his Panel on Tax Reform, which ultimately proposed lowering the tax rates on long-term capital gains and corporate income and replacing the EITC with a less generous “Work Credit.”
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/Documents/Report-Fix-Tax-System-2005.pdf
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/tax-policy/Documents/Report-Fix-Tax-System-2005.pdf
Grinberg was a key Republican proponent for Trump’s tax cuts.
In 2017, Grinberg testified before Congress as a Republican witness in favor of lowering corporate tax cuts to “[level] the playing field” between US corporations and foreign competitors. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
In 2017, Grinberg testified before Congress as a Republican witness in favor of lowering corporate tax cuts to “[level] the playing field” between US corporations and foreign competitors. https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/bidens-newest-treasury-tax-appointees-delight-and-disappoint/
In reality, Trump's tax cut bill only further incentivized offshoring, enriched the wealthy, and deprived the government of revenue needed to fund vital public programs. https://prospect.org/power/trump-s-tax-cuts-incentivized-corporate-offshoring.-dems-want-reverse-that./
Grinberg has also criticized the enforcement of international tax evasion laws.
In 2016, Grinberg suggested that the Obama administration retaliate against the EU for investigating Apple and other U.S. firms for colluding with Ireland to profit shift. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/us-steps-up-pressure-on-eu-ahead-of-apple-s-irish-tax-ruling-1.2768456
In 2016, Grinberg suggested that the Obama administration retaliate against the EU for investigating Apple and other U.S. firms for colluding with Ireland to profit shift. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/us-steps-up-pressure-on-eu-ahead-of-apple-s-irish-tax-ruling-1.2768456
Grinberg's criticism of tax law enforcement came amidst growing tax avoidance by Big Tech giants.
A report by @FairTaxMark found that Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, and Microsoft avoided paying over $100 billion in taxes from 2010 to 2019. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/02/silicon-valley-giants-accused-of-avoiding-100-billion-in-taxes.html
A report by @FairTaxMark found that Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, and Microsoft avoided paying over $100 billion in taxes from 2010 to 2019. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/02/silicon-valley-giants-accused-of-avoiding-100-billion-in-taxes.html
When making hiring selections, the Biden administration must ask itself whether its nominees are ready and willing to work on behalf of the American people and ensure that corporations pay their fair share.
Clausing easily passes that test.
Grinberg comes nowhere near.
Clausing easily passes that test.
Grinberg comes nowhere near.
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