Cornerstones of Taxation

Since 1937, the Wyoming Taxpayers Association has provided the essential non-partisan connection and information source for Wyoming taxpayers and policymakers.

Tried and true, the Wyoming Taxpayers Association is one of the oldest of its kind in the country; extremely effective, and credible. All Wyoming Taxpayers Association research is guided by the Cornerstones of Taxation©, which serve as touchstones for policymakers and taxpayers throughout Wyoming.

These cornerstones are as follows:

 

JUSTIFIED
  • Is there a justified need for the tax and is it fiscally prudent?
  • Are existing government funds spent efficiently before considering a new tax?
  • Is the primary goal of the tax to generate revenue or does it modify behavior or influence policy?
EQUITABLE
  • Does the tax impose equal and uniform liabilities upon similarly situated taxpayers?
  • Is the tax constitutional?
  • Does the tax disadvantage one taxpayer over another?
  • Will the tax distort economic behavior?
Stable
  • Is the tax stable and predictable under changing political, economic, regulatory and environmental conditions?
  • Does the tax result in diversification in taxation?
Transparent
  • Is the tax visible, accountable and auditable?
  • Is the tax easy to understand, administer and cost effective to collect?

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