Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Automation increases production and reduces labor costs, while disrupting industry and employment. Will automation have a substantial long-term negative effect on America’s tax system and human labor market? This paper argues that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 implicitly endorses hiring human labor over automation. First, a brief background of automation is detailed. Second, an analysis of basic tax policy concepts, such as neutrality, efficiency, equity, and simplicity are applied to a specific provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Finally, this paper concludes that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 can assist a transition from reliance on an income tax base to one that focuses heavily on business investments and capital gains.
Mentor Name
Pippa Browde
American Automation Tax Policy
UC 331
Automation increases production and reduces labor costs, while disrupting industry and employment. Will automation have a substantial long-term negative effect on America’s tax system and human labor market? This paper argues that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 implicitly endorses hiring human labor over automation. First, a brief background of automation is detailed. Second, an analysis of basic tax policy concepts, such as neutrality, efficiency, equity, and simplicity are applied to a specific provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Finally, this paper concludes that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 can assist a transition from reliance on an income tax base to one that focuses heavily on business investments and capital gains.