Book excerpt: A groundbreaking reference, this book provides a comprehensive review of tax policy from political, legal, constitutional, administrative, and economic perspectives. A collection of writings from over 45 prominent tax experts, it charts the influence of taxation on economic activity and economic behavior. Featuring over 2400 references, tables, equations, and drawings, the book describes how taxes affect individual and business behavior, shows how taxes operate as work and investment incentives, explains how tax structures impact different income groups, weighs the balanced use of sales, property, and personal income taxes, traces the influence of recent tax changes, and more.