Currently accepting applications for fall 2008, spring 2009, and summer 2009 internships.
Click here to download a PDF flyer of the information on this page.
About the Tax Foundation
Since its founding in 1937, the Tax Foundation has been looked to for its non-partisan and principled research and analysis of tax issues at all levels of government. Best known for our annual calculation of "Tax Freedom Day," we work to raise economic awareness among taxpayers, lawmakers, and media.
While there are a number of Washington, D.C.-based public policy groups today that cover a broad range of policy issues, only the Tax Foundation provides a principled voice on the impact of tax and fiscal policy at the federal, state, and local levels.
About Our Internship Program
The Tax Foundation offers a unique internship program designed to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to tax policy principles, and apply them in assessing and advancing public policy. Working directly with our staff in various areas of tax policy, our interns will gain valuable professional experience.
While research and data entry are routine parts of the internship, the majority of the work is substantive. Interns are afforded great flexibility to attend events, lectures, and seminars around Washington, D.C. As a non-partisan research institution, we encourage our interns to develop a broader sense of our principles and find innovative ways to contribute to our organization.
Examples of Intern Projects
Past interns, with the assistance of our staff, have researched and published commentaries on policy in newspapers and journals, assisted in micro simulation models of tax changes, and posted on our tax policy blog. Examples include:
The Tax Foundation offers great flexibility to initiate projects and topic ideas. Some projects can involve working closely with staff members; others offer a great deal of independence.
Internship Areas:
Economics interns work with our team of economists on issues at the federal and state level, with emphasis on data analysis. Economics interns should be comfortable with statistics and mathematics, and computer coding skills are a plus.
State Policy interns work with our policy team to research and analyze tax issues across the country and work with our network of state legislators, policy groups, and other contacts. State Policy interns contribute to our efforts to distribute our research and speak on current tax topics.
Development interns work with our donor relations team to market and communicate the Tax Foundation's research and mission to donors and potential donors. Development interns should be good writers and have good interpersonal skills to be able to encourage interest among individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Media Relations interns work with our media team to disseminate our research to narrow and broad audiences. Media Relations interns assist in drafting and editing press releases, arranging interviews and answering requests for information, and substantively contribute to our podcast and video efforts.
Applying
Tax Foundation internships are available year-round and applications are considered on a rolling basis. (Applicants for summer internships are advised to submit their materials no later than April 15.)
To apply, please e-mail your one-page resume to internship@taxfoundation.org, and include in the body of the e-mail or as a separate attachment the answers to the following questions:
Internships are located at our office in downtown Washington, D.C., and are unpaid. We are committed to responding to completed applications within 3 weeks of submission.