About the Role
Tax Foundation is seeking an Excise Tax Policy Analyst to join our team. Our Excise Tax Program is the nation’s leading resource on excise tax policy. The program maintains data and publishes regular research on the status of excise tax policy, responds to proposed changes to existing excise tax policy, and weighs in on the design and impact of new policies.
The Excise Tax Policy Analyst will work directly with the Director of Excise Tax Policy on key elements of the research agenda and policy outreach. They will be responsible for preparing and reviewing data for the team’s research.
The ideal candidate will have some experience or education in economics, public finance, public policy, political science, and/or government. The Analyst is expected to follow excise tax policy debates closely and develop expertise in designing principled policies that align with Tax Foundation’s Principles of Sound Tax Policy. They need to be able to work independently on projects, from conception to completion, while working under pressure and representing Tax Foundation in a highly professional manner.
The Excise Tax Policy Analyst will report to our Director of Excise Tax Policy and can work out of the Tax Foundation’s Washington, D.C. office or in a virtual office.
About the Tax Foundation’s Work in Excise Tax Policy
Excise taxes have grown dramatically over the past decade. Not only have tax rates increased on traditional excise goods, but the scope of items on which excise taxes are applied has ballooned. Last year, the Tax Foundation’s Excise Tax Program engaged on a wide array of topics, including:
- Cannabis Taxation
- Design of Alternative Tobacco Taxes
- Global Excise Tax Applications and Trends
- Menthol Bans in Cigarettes (to the FDA and select states)
- Flavor Bans in Cigars
- Vapor Taxes
- U.S. cigarette taxes and smuggling
- Beer taxes in the U.S. and E.U.
- Distilled spirits taxes in the U.S. and E.U.
- Gasoline Taxes (and Holidays) in the U.S. and E.U.
- Vehicle Miles Traveled Taxes
- Wireless (Cell Phone) Taxes
- Gaming and Sports Betting Taxes
- Extended Producer Responsibility
We expect growth in both the scope and significance of the projects on which the Excise Program will engage moving forward. While we work on the critical areas of excise taxes, we want to increase our engagement on new excise tax proposals, rate hikes, and product bans across U.S. municipalities, all 50 states, the federal government, and internationally.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify, cultivate, and analyze data that will be used for excise tax research projects
- Assist team members in writing blogs, white papers, and other research projects
- Participate in conferences, webinars, and briefings
- Track legislation as it moves through federal, state, and local government legislative processes
- Assist in expanding the Excise Tax Program’s presence with policymakers, academics, the media, and interested stakeholders through direct correspondences, responses to inquiries and briefings, and social media posting
Requirements
- 0+ years experience is required for this position; experience, training, or internships in economics, public finance, public policy, political science, or government is preferred
- Ability to travel, approximately 5%; fully remote employees will be required to visit the office at least 6 times a year
- Strong analytical skills
- Data analysis skills and proficiency in Excel or other data analysis software
- Excellent communication and writing skills, with demonstrated experience researching and writing about public policy
- Excise tax research experience is strongly preferred
- Degree in economics, public policy, political science, or a related field preferred but not required
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter describing your interest in the position, alignment with the mission of the Tax Foundation, and salary requirements
- Résumé
Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Outreach Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search: bailey@talentmarket.org.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
Highlights of Our Benefits
- HSA-based health coverage with employer contributions
- 401(k) retirement plan with 100% match on first 5%
- 100% of the premiums for dental and vision coverage and life/AD&D/LTD insurance
- 12 paid holidays and 15 vacation days per year and generous sick leave
- Office is closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day annually
- Casual and early-release Fridays all year round
- Work-from-home option Mondays and Fridays for employees in the D.C. headquarters area.
Who We Are
We’re a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank founded in 1937 and located steps from the White House in Washington, D.C. We regularly work with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to help fix problems in national and state tax codes and by focusing on effective policies instead of politics, we have curated a reputation as one of the most effective policy think tanks in the nation.
What We Do
We use our research and analysis to bring tax changes to the national spotlight, foster competition among the states, and advise policymakers on how to improve their tax systems.
Our work is cited in over 20,000 news articles each year, including the largest national outlets and the papers of record in all 50 states. We produce over 70 major publications every year and our website is viewed over 1.5 million times per month.
“Working at Tax Foundation has helped me to grow personally, professionally, and intellectually, while contributing to work that I truly believe in. I am incredibly happy to have landed here and look forward to continuing to be a part of Tax Foundation’s growth and success.” – Zoe Callaway, Manager of Education and Outreach
The Tax Foundation is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. As part of this commitment, the Tax Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.