Call for Papers: Tax Literacy Summit 2027 by UNC Tax Law Program and ATPI, Washington, D.C. [8-9 April 2027; Abstracts by 30 October 2026; Publication in Pittsburgh Tax Review]

The UNC Tax Law Program and the American Tax Policy Institute (ATPI) have announced 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, with other co-sponsors to be announced.

The Summit will be held on 8-9 April 2027 at Carolina in the Capital, UNC-Chapel Hill's Washington, D.C. office located steps from the U.S. Capitol. It will bring together members of government, academia, practitioners and others to examine what is known 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.

• 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
• Kathleen Thomas, UNC School of Law

Proposals are invited for original papers addressing tax literacy broadly understood. 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
• New research and perspectives on tax literacy

The list is directional guidance rather than a limit. The organisers welcome creative approaches and particularly encourage work that brings together perspectives from different disciplines or connects research with practical experience.

Submissions are encouraged from scholars and researchers across disciplines, including law, economics, accounting, public policy, education, behavioral science, communications and political science. The organisers also welcome work drawing on the knowledge and experience of government officials, practitioners, educators and others who work directly with taxpayers or tax education.

Submit a 500-word abstract or proposal by 30 October 2026 by email to Kathleen Thomas at kathleet@email.unc.edu.

Selected participants will be notified by 15 December 2026, are expected to attend the Summit in Washington, D.C. on 8-9 April 2027, and must submit a circulation draft by 8 March 2027.

Papers selected through this Call for Papers will be published in a symposium issue of the Pittsburgh Tax Review.

The conference is 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 8 April 2027.