Add section attribute for all parameters in current_law_policy.json that can be used w puf.csv

[MattHJensen]

Among other uses, the section attribute on a current_law_policy.json parameter indicate to the TaxBrain team that the parameter should be available on TaxBrain and which section it should be included in.

In #1109, I added section attributes to almost every parameter in current_law_policy.json. Given that it means more parameters will be included on TaxBrain, I also endeavored to improve their documentation so that they will make sense for TaxBrain users.

The only parameters in Tax-Calculator that do not have section attributes now and therefore will not appear on TaxBrain are:

• _ALD_Investment_ec_base_code_active (and param_code)
• _AMT_Child_em
• _AMT_KT_c_Age
• _AMT_thd_MarriedS
• _AMT_em_pe
• _LLC_Expense_c
• _ETC_pe_Single
• _ETC_pe_Married

There are four reasons why a parameter might appear on this list:

1. The parameter activates param_code, and the param_code parameter itself (ALD_Investment_ec_base_code ) is stored somewhere other than current_law_policy.json`.

   • If we store ALD_Investment_ec_base_code in current_law_policy.json and include documentation, then we could add ALD_Investment_ec_base_code and _ALD_Investment_ec_base_code_active to the TaxBrain GUI input page.

2. The parameter requires taxpayer data that isn't available in puf.csv

   • We could add a puf.csv_compatible attribute to current_law_policy.json and A) don't display incompatible parameters on TaxBrain and B) disallow reform files that contain incompatible parameters on TaxBrain.

3. The parameter is redundant, buggy, or otherwise doesn't make sense.

   • We should delete it.

4. When I was working on Reorganize parameters -- will facilitate TaxBrain updates #1109, I thought there was a possibility that the parameter fell into category (2) or (3), and I didn't take the time to investigate whether it was appropriate to add a section label.

[martinholmer]

@MattHJensen said in issue #1141 on January 12, 2016:

The only parameters in Tax-Calculator that do not have section attributes now and therefore will not appear on TaxBrain are:

_ALD_Investment_ec_base_code_active (and param_code)
_AMT_Child_em
_AMT_KT_c_Age
_AMT_thd_MarriedS
_AMT_em_pe
_LLC_Expense_c
_ETC_pe_Single
_ETC_pe_Married

This is an April 14, 2016, update on the eight parameters listed above.

Parameters no longer in Tax-Calculator:

• _ALD_Investment_ec_base_code_active (and param_code)
• _AMT_thd_MarriedS

Parameters documented in current_law_policy.json and used in AMT function:

• _AMT_Child_em
• _AMT_KT_c_Age
• _AMT_em_pe

Parameters documented in current_law_policy.json and used in EducationTaxCredit function:

• _LLC_Expense_c
• _ETC_pe_Single
• _ETC_pe_Married

Are there reasons for not including the those three AMT policy parameters and those three EducationTaxCredit parameters in the TaxBrain GUI to Tax-Calculator?

[MattHJensen]

Are there reasons for not including the those three AMT policy parameters and those three EducationTaxCredit parameters in the TaxBrain GUI to Tax-Calculator?

@martinholmer, I excluded them because I couldn't remember anyone using them in the past and thought we should test a few reforms using the parameters to ensure that the results make sense. I still haven't had an opportunity to do this but continue to think it would be useful before making them available on TaxBrain.

[martinholmer]

@MattHJensen said:

I excluded them because I couldn't remember anyone using them in the past and thought we should test a few reforms using the parameters to ensure that the results make sense. I still haven't had an opportunity to do this but continue to think it would be useful before making them available on TaxBrain.

OK. That makes sense.

[martinholmer]

@MattHJensen, Tax-Calculator issue #1141 seems to have been resolved.
Let me know if that is not the case, otherwise I'll close #1141 on Monday.

[martinholmer]

@martinholmer said:

@MattHJensen, Tax-Calculator issue #1141 seems to have been resolved.
Let me know if that is not the case, otherwise I'll close #1141 on Monday.