Joel Slemrod

Joel Slemrod is the Paul W. McCracken Collegiate Professor of Business Economics and Public Policy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, where he also serves as Director of the Office of Tax Policy Research. A renowned expert in tax policy, he holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Economics (LSA) and the Law School. His career spans roles as Senior Staff Economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (1984-85), National Fellow at the Hoover Institution (1983-84), and leadership positions in the National Tax Association and the International Institute of Public Finance.

• Education:
  • PhD, Harvard University (1980)
  • AB, Princeton University (1973)

His research focuses on tax compliance, international taxation, behavioral public finance, and tax systems, with significant contributions to understanding how tax policies affect economic behavior and institutional design. His books, including Rebellion, Rascals, and Revenue (2021) and Tax Systems (2014), are widely cited in policy debates.

Recent publications analyze cross-country tax impacts, corporate disclosures, and gender disparities in taxation. His work on taxation and migration and wealth tax proposals has influenced global fiscal strategies. External validity in empirical studies and optimal tax systems with behavioral biases are recurring themes in his research.

Scientific Awards:

• Daniel M. Holland Medal (2012)
• Distinguished University Professor (2021)

His advisory roles include consulting for the U.S. Treasury, OECD, World Bank, and corporations like Marriott and Merck. He has testified before Congress on taxation issues and served as editor for National Tax Journal and co-editor for Journal of Public Economics. Current projects explore tax havens, digital taxation, and enforcement mechanisms in developing economies.