Tax Literacy Summit, Call for Papers

Tax Literacy Summit

Call for Papers
April 8–9, 2027
Carolina in the Capital | 101 Constitution Ave. NW | Washington, D.C.

The UNC Tax Law Program and the American Tax Policy Institute (ATPI) are pleased to
announce a Call for Papers in connection with the Tax Literacy Summit. Additional co-sponsors
include the American Bar Association Section of Taxation and the Pittsburgh Tax Review (other
co-sponsors TBD). The Summit will be held April 8–9, 2027, at Carolina in the Capital, UNC-Chapel
Hill’s Washington, D.C., office located steps from the U.S. Capitol. Selected papers will be published
in a symposium issue of the Pittsburgh Tax Review.

Taxes touch nearly every aspect of Americans’ economic lives, yet many people have limited
understanding of how the tax system works. Taxpayers must navigate not only a complex body of law,
but also an increasingly complicated information environment that includes social media, online tax
advice, rapidly changing technology, and widespread misinformation.

Tax literacy matters for more than simply filing an accurate tax return. Understanding the tax system
can affect taxpayers’ ability to claim benefits, make informed financial decisions, comply with their
obligations, and evaluate competing claims about tax policy. More broadly, public understanding of
taxation may have important implications for perceptions of fairness, trust in government, and
meaningful participation in debates over tax policy.

The Tax Literacy Summit will bring together members of government, academia, practitioners, and
others to examine what we know about tax literacy, learn from those who encounter tax literacy
challenges firsthand, and consider how tax education and other interventions might improve public
understanding of the tax system.

Call for Papers
We invite proposals for original papers addressing tax literacy broadly understood. We encourage
submissions from scholars and researchers across disciplines, including law, economics, accounting,
public policy, education, behavioral science, communications, and political science. We also welcome
work drawing on the knowledge and experience of government officials, practitioners, educators, and
others who work directly with taxpayers or tax education.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
• defining and measuring tax literacy;
• tax literacy on the front lines;
• tax education and other efforts to improve tax literacy;
• taxpayer communications and the role of government, tax professionals, and other intermediaries;
• misinformation, social media, technology, and artificial intelligence;
• compliance, financial decision-making, and access to tax benefits;
• perceptions of fairness, trust in government, and public understanding of tax policy; and
• new research and perspectives on tax literacy.

This list is intended to provide directional guidance rather than to limit the scope of submissions. We
welcome creative approaches to the subject and particularly encourage work that brings together
perspectives from different disciplines or connects research with practical experience.

Submissions
The Tax Literacy Summit is being organized by Caroline Bruckner (Kogod School of Business,
American University), Bridget Crawford (Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University), Erin Henry
(Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas), and Kathleen Thomas (UNC School of
Law).

Interested participants should submit a 500-word abstract or proposal by October 30, 2026, to
Kathleen Thomas at kathleet@email.unc.edu.

Selected participants will be notified by December 15, 2026. Participants will be expected to attend the
Tax Literacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on April 8–9, 2027, and to submit a circulation draft by
March 8, 2027.
Papers selected through this Call for Papers will be published in a symposium issue of the Pittsburgh
Tax Review.

The conference will be free and open to the public with advance registration required.

For those selected to present their work, the program sponsors will cover lodging and selected meals.
Reimbursement for travel may be possible, to the extent funds become available. Selected participants
will also be invited to a welcome dinner on the evening of April 8.

Questions regarding the Summit or Call for Papers may be directed to Kathleen Thomas (UNC School
of Law) at kathleet@email.unc.edu or Caroline Bruckner (American University and ATPI) at cbruck@american.edu.