PolicyEngine US in 2024: A year in review

From state-level modeling to AI-powered analysis, we expanded the frontier of policy research through technology.

In 2024, PolicyEngine US achieved significant milestones in democratizing policy analysis through technological innovation and comprehensive coverage of major policy developments. Together with our achievements in the UK, we've expanded the frontier of evidence-based policymaking on both sides of the Atlantic.Here’s a detailed look at our achievements and impact this year.

Our platform underwent major technological advances to enhance both capability and accessibility. We launched the Enhanced Current Population Survey dataset, which leverages machine learning to provide more accurate microsimulation modeling. This advancement allows for more precise analysis of policy impacts across different demographic groups.

We introduced comprehensive state income tax models for all 50 states and DC, enabling analysis of state-specific reforms and their interaction with federal policy.

Our new behavioral response capabilities capture how policy reforms affect labor supply based on customizable elasticities, enabling more nuanced analysis of how tax and benefit changes influence individual economic decisions.

This fall, we launched our AI-powered tax and benefit explanations system, which translates complex calculations into clear, understandable language. This feature makes policy analysis more accessible to users regardless of their technical background.

During this election year, we developed comprehensive analyses of major policy proposals, including a calculator showing the personal impacts of presidential candidates’ tax plans. We analyzed Harris’ Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit expansions, as well as Trump’s Social Security tax exemption and Tax Cuts and Jobs Act extension. Our analysis extended to state-level policies, including the Oregon Rebate ballot measure.

We broadened our suite of specialized calculators and tools in 2024, launching the country’s first standalone Child Tax Credit calculator and introducing GiveCalc to help donors understand the tax implications of their charitable contributions. Our API now powers innovative services like MyFriendBen, which received a $2.4 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Benefit Navigator, which serves over 500 case managers across Los Angeles County.

Our research and tools gained recognition across sectors throughout 2024. We presented our work at major academic conferences including the National Tax Association Spring Symposium and Annual Conference, APPAM, BenCon, and the Open Sustainability Summit. Universities including UC Berkeley, Northwestern University, and George Mason University invited us to share our research.

Our analysis informed policy discussions at various levels, from Congress — where Rep. Morgan McGarvey referenced our work in the Young Adult Tax Credit Act — to think tanks, with organizations like the Niskanen Center utilizing our tools for policy analysis.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re expanding our capabilities with API access to our AI-powered explanation system launching in Q1. We’ll continue enhancing our state-level analysis capabilities, expanding behavioral response modeling, and developing additional policy reform calculators to further democratize sophisticated policy analysis, especially in a critical year full of tax and benefit policy debates at all levels of government.

This work wouldn’t be possible without support from NEO Philanthropy, Arnold Ventures, the Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity, the PSL Foundation, and the Corvus Oaks Foundation. We’re also grateful to our API customers MyFriendBen and Benefit Navigator for their continued collaboration.

Visit policyengine.org to explore our tools and contribute to evidence-based policy discussions.

max ghenis
PolicyEngine's Co-founder and CEO



nikhil woodruff
PolicyEngine's Co-founder and CTO

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