Daily Source Bias Check: Tax Foundation

These media sources are slightly to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information, but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.

• Overall, we rate the Tax Foundation Right-Center biased based on advocating for Libertarian economic policy. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting due to a few half-true claims, despite proper sourcing and neutral wording.

Detailed Report

Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 48/180

History

The Tax Foundation is an independent Washington, D.C.-based think tank, founded in 1937, that collects data and publishes research studies on U.S. tax policies at both the federal and state levels. It describes itself as an “independent tax policy research organization”. They are cited in the media as a nonpartisan or bipartisan organization, and are also described as business-friendly or conservative. The current President is Scott A. Hodge.

Funded by / Ownership

The Tax Foundation is organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit educational and research organization. They are primarily funded by corporate interests such as the Koch Brothers and Exxon-Mobil. According to their website, in 2010 (the last we could find) 33% of donations came from corporate sources.

Analysis / Bias

In review, the Tax Foundation covers tax policy that advances a Libertarian agenda. Essentially, they advocate for lower taxes and regulations on business. Articles and analysis on the website typically does not use loaded wording, such as this: Tracking the Economic Impact of U.S. Tariffs and Retaliatory Actions. This story is very well sourced to Reuters, NPR and Whitehouse.gov. The website also features a blog, that again uses minimal loaded language and sticks to the theme of low taxation: Which Places Pay the Most in Property Taxes? 

Although this is a right leaning Libertarian think tank, they are sometimes critical of President Trump’s economic policies, such as this: Is Trump Supporting a Border Adjustment for the Wrong Reason? The Tax Foundation has been criticized by the Left Leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities for publishing misleading information. When it comes to climate science we could not find any instances of climate change denial, however they also do not advocate for regulation and Government involvement, which is recommended by climate scientists and experts in the field. In general, the information published on the Tax Foundation website is factual and correctly sourced, however they do occasionally publish misleading information.

A factual search reveals they have made a few half-true claims, however they are also used as an information source by IFCN fact checkers.

Overall, we rate the Tax Foundation Right-Center biased based on advocating for Libertarian economic policy. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting due to a few half-true claims, despite proper sourcing and neutral wording. (D. Van Zandt 9/17/2016) Updated (8/10/2019)

Source: http://taxfoundation.org/