policyengine-us

Compute US federal and state tax and benefit microsimulation results for household scenarios.

31|6|Updated Oct 19, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/PolicyEngine/policyengine-claude --skill policyengine-us
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: policyengine-us
Source: https://github.com/PolicyEngine/policyengine-claude/tree/main/skills/policyengine-us-skill
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/PolicyEngine/policyengine-claude --skill policyengine-us

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires policyengine-us, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

Accurately modeling the complex US federal and state tax and benefit system requires a robust microsimulation framework. This Skill provides the tools for programmatic use, enabling precise calculations and detailed policy analysis.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Comprehensive Modeling: Models federal income tax, payroll tax, capital gains, EITC, CTC, SNAP, Social Security, and state-specific programs.
  • Detailed Situation Creation: Supports defining complex household compositions and characteristics for accurate simulations.
  • Parameter Sweeps & Reforms: Analyze policy changes across a range of values using "axes" and define custom policy reforms.
  • Use Case: Create a simulation for a married couple with two children in New York, earning $150,000, and calculate their federal income tax and Child Tax Credit for 2024.

Quick Start

Use the policyengine-us skill to calculate the income tax and EITC for a single person earning $50,000 in California for 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions about policyengine-us

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I calculate federal and state income tax for a household?▼

Use policyengine-us to compute federal and state income tax by defining a household situation with income, deductions, and filing status, then run the Simulation API to get precise tax calculations for any year.

Can I model tax credits like EITC and CTC in my policy analysis?▼

Yes, policyengine-us calculates EITC, CTC, and other federal credits automatically within household simulations, returning exact eligibility and benefit amounts based on income and family composition.

How do I test policy reforms and parameter changes?▼

Define custom policy reforms and use parameter sweeps with axes to analyze tax and benefit outcomes across different scenarios, comparing baseline results against your proposed changes.

Does policyengine-us support all 50 US states and DC?▼

Yes, policyengine-us models federal and state-specific tax calculations, eligibility rules, and benefit programs across all 50 states plus Washington DC for comprehensive regional analysis.

What benefit programs are included in the microsimulation?▼

policyengine-us models SNAP, WIC, ACA credits, Social Security, and other federal and state benefits alongside tax calculations to show total household net income and policy impact.

Can I create complex household scenarios with multiple family members?▼

Yes, the nested situation dictionary schema lets you define household compositions with multiple dependents, earners, and characteristics for accurate multi-person tax and benefit calculations.