E80: The Rich are Overtaxed, NOT YOU (w/ Scott Hodge)

Tax policy expert Scott Hodge joins to discuss how America’s complex tax code impacts your daily life, punishes success, and what real reform could look like.Guest bio: Scott Hodge is President Emeritus and Senior Policy Advisor at the Tax Foundation, where he served as president from 2000 to 2022. A leading voice on tax reform, he played a key role in shaping the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and is the author of Taxocracy: What You Don’t Know About Taxes and How They Rule Your Daily Life.Topics discussed:Why the U.S. tax code grew from 27 pages to over 7,000The hidden layers of taxation on income, savings, and estatesHow tax exemptions fuel lobbying, inequality, and corruptionProblems with tax credits for EVs, education, and housingThe IRS as a welfare agency and the rise of improper paymentsHow nonprofits, universities, and credit unions game the systemThe sustainability of Social Security and U.S. national debtLessons from Estonia’s 88-page flat tax systemThe myth of “tax the rich” and the real income tax burdenWhy U.S. tax policy often punishes success and risk-takingTop quote:"The tax code has become a tool for punishing success—success taxes are the new sin taxes."  🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us. Thanks for listening!