Institute for Fiscal Studies

Founded in 1969 by four finance professionals, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) was established to provide independent analysis of taxation and fiscal policy outside government. It is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, headquartered in London.

IFS researches how economic and social policies affect individuals, households, businesses and government finances. Its work covers taxes and benefits, public spending, education, health, inequality, pensions, productivity and development, combining applied microeconomics, data analysis and economic modelling with policy-focused communication.

The institute is particularly strong at translating academic research into influential public-policy analysis. Its researchers contribute to the annual IFS Green Budget and regularly scrutinise government decisions; in 2025, IFS analysis was cited in parliamentary debates more than 200 times, while its researchers gave almost 300 television or radio interviews and published 74 peer-reviewed articles.