Bob Lord

Bob Lord, a tax lawyer and former Congressional candidate, is an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. Bob previously served as an adjunct faculty member at the Arizona State University School of Law. Bob’s work focuses on the relationship of tax law to inequality. He contributes to both the Inequality.org website and to OtherWords, the Institute’s national syndicated editorial service. Bob also is a staff member at Blog For Arizona, the leading political blog in Arizona.

Latest

Who Wants to Be a Trillionaire?

Bob Lord | April 9, 2024

Don’t laugh. That’s exactly where America’s oligarchic policies are taking us.

Patriotic Millionaires to High Court: Don’t Preempt Taxing Grand Fortune

Bob Lord | November 16, 2023

A wrong decision in the Moore case could set back tax justice for years.

Oligarchy Has Arrived. Congress Must Take Notice — and Act!

Bob Lord | August 22, 2023

An innovative tax-the-rich proposal now before lawmakers would reverse the wealth concentration that’s suffocating our democracy

The Most Ludicrous Argument Ever Against Taxing the Rich?

Bob Lord, Sam Pizzigati | July 18, 2023

Why are our planet’s finest hoopsters bricking free throws? Pals of plutocrats have a convenient explanation.

The First Trillionaire: No Cause for Celebration

Bob Lord | May 26, 2023

We’ll never, as a nation, take on the ultra-rich if millions of Americans identify with them.

Introducing the Republican ‘Billionaires Pay Zero Tax’ Act

Bob Lord | April 4, 2023

A new GOP bill, formally entitled the ’Death Tax Repeal Act,’ would enable our super-rich to avoid both income and estate tax on their investment gains.

Workers, Machines, and ‘Bonus Depreciation’

Bob Lord | February 28, 2023

Should our tax system be discouraging automation or leveling the tax playing field between workers and machines?

Jeff Bezos speaking to an audience using hand gesture.

Why Do Billionaires So Love Owning Newspapers?

Bob Lord | November 1, 2022

You never know when an editorial can come in handy. Just ask Jeff Bezos.

Time To End the Capital Gains Rate Giveaway

Bob Lord | June 28, 2022

Our tax loopholes let marginal and arbitrary differences in facts give rise to markedly different tax outcomes.

The Climate Case for Taxing Wealth

Basav Sen, Bob Lord | June 15, 2022

Vast fortunes rely on destroying our planet. Taxing those fortunes to fund climate action could give us a shot at survival.

Elon Musk Is Hiding the Ball Again on Taxes

Bob Lord, William Rice | April 7, 2022

Fanboys of the richest person on Earth are spinning bogus tales that swell the Musk fortune and embellish his ‘genius.’

Closing the Loopholes America’s Super Rich Love: Can the Dog Catch Its Tail?

Bob Lord | March 30, 2022

How we can prevent the wealthiest of our wealthy from exempting virtually unlimited billions from tax.

How to Fix America’s Roundabout, Badly Broken System for Taxing Our Richest

Bob Lord | March 17, 2022

Yes, we could ensure that our richest pay something in the neighborhood of their fair tax share.

A Perfect Storm Has Elon Musk Paying $11 Billion in Tax

Bob Lord | December 28, 2021

But our only quarter-trillionaire is still not paying anything close to his fair tax share.

Democrats Continue To Negotiate Domestic Spending Bills

Should Rich People Get a Free Pass at Tax Time?

Bob Lord, Sam Pizzigati | November 8, 2021

We’re finally debating that question. Let’s not miss our opportunity.

manchin and sinema talking about the infrastructure bill

American Tax Policy in the Age of Trillionaires

Bob Lord | October 31, 2021

Have we just about decided that the further accumulation of billionaire fortunes makes for good public policy?

entryway to an internal revenue service building

Subway’s Sandwich Mogul Meets — and Beats — the IRS

Bob Lord | October 25, 2021

A new U.S. District Court ruling helps billionaires escape millions in gift taxes.

Close Down the Estate Tax Manipulations That Benefit Billionaires

Chuck Collins, Bob Lord | September 13, 2021

The latest tax proposals in Congress are an okay first step, but don’t go far enough to address one of the biggest enablers of dynastic wealth.

Does Our Tax System Benefit the Rich on Purpose?

Bob Lord | September 6, 2021

It’s a complicated question. But as a tax attorney, I believe firmly that the flaws are intentional.

The American Families Plan Taxes Billionaires and Protects Family Farms and Businesses

Nick Buffie, Bob Lord | August 30, 2021

President Joe Biden has proposed tax reforms to close a capital gains loophole favoring the wealthiest Americans.