[![Adam N. Michel cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_mobile/public/2023-02/adam-michel-cropped.jpg?itok=h2_TY9dW)](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2023-02/adam-michel.jpg) 

[Policy Scholars](/experts) 

# Adam N. Michel 

Director of Tax Policy Studies

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Adam N. Michel is director of tax policy studies at the Cato Institute, where his research focuses on how the tax code shapes investment, wages, and the federal budget. His work covers fundamental tax reform, wealth and capital taxation, tax subsidies, and international tax rules. He publishes [*Liberty Taxed*](https://adamnmichel.substack.com/), a blog on US tax policy. Michel testifies before Congress and is regularly cited in major news outlets.

Prior to joining Cato, Michel served as deputy staff director at the US Congress Joint Economic Committee, where he helped lead Senator Mike Lee’s (R‑UT) Social Capital Project and managed the committee’s economic research. He has worked as a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation and as the program manager for the Spending and Budget Initiative at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

Michel holds a PhD in economics from George Mason University and a BA in politics from Whitman College. His commentary appears in the *Wall Street Journal*, the *Washington Post*, and *Bloomberg Tax*, and his scholarly work is published in *Public Budgeting & Finance*, *Tax Notes*, and several edited volumes.

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Media Contact 

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#### Featured Content 

[![universal basic income, taxes](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-04/GettyImages-2187248677.jpg?itok=P9TJExS_)](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/failures-wealth-taxation) 

Study 

### [Failures of Wealth Taxation](/policy-analysis/failures-wealth-taxation) 

By [Adam N. Michel](https://www.cato.org/people/adam-n-michel) and [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) 

Wealth taxes raise little revenue while adding complexity, driving capital flight, and slowing growth.

[![1040 Tax Form and Calculator](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2021-01/GettyImages-1221037976.jpg?itok=_w_jg1yI)](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/bigger-government-means-giving-almost-half-paycheck) 

Study 

### [A Bigger Government Means Giving Up Almost Half Your Paycheck](/policy-analysis/bigger-government-means-giving-almost-half-paycheck) 

By [Adam N. Michel](https://www.cato.org/people/adam-n-michel) 

Without spending reforms, the American people should be prepared for a future that looks more like Europe and less like the United States they are accustomed to.

[![savings acount](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/content_teaser/public/2026-02/savings%20account.jpg?itok=NWgCwpF7)](https://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/improving-trump-accounts) 

Study 

### [Improving Trump Accounts](/policy-analysis/improving-trump-accounts) 

By [Adam N. Michel](https://www.cato.org/people/adam-n-michel) 

Trump Accounts are the least tax-advantaged savings vehicle available to families. Simpler accounts would benefit more Americans.