article written by UD Associate Professor of Economics Jorge Soares
The University of Delaware’s Department of Economics, in collaboration with the Women in Economics Club, hosted the 2025 Hutchinson Lecture: The Future of Tax Reform and Tax Compliance on April 17. The event marked the return of the Hutchinson Lecture series, first established in 1990 to honor Professor Harry D. Hutchinson and bring leading scholars and policymakers to campus to inspire and engage students.
This year’s lecture featured Natasha Sarin, professor of law at Yale Law School and former deputy assistant secretary for economic policy at the U.S. Treasury. Drawing from her extensive academic and policy experience, Sarin provided a sobering look at the challenges facing the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the broader implications for tax reform.
In a 35-minute presentation followed by a lively Q&A session, Sarin highlighted the systemic issues plaguing the IRS, including outdated technology, significant staffing shortages, and unstable funding. She described how IRS employees are still working with paper files and programming languages developed decades ago, while tasked with administering not only tax collection but also federal benefits programs. Sarin warned that without consistent long-term investment, efforts to modernize the IRS would likely falter, and the growing “tax gap” – the difference between taxes owed and taxes collected—would continue to widen.
Students attending the lecture gained a deeper understanding of how critical tax administration is to a fair and functioning government. Many reflected on how the lecture reshaped their perception of the IRS, highlighting its role not just in enforcing tax law but in safeguarding the country’s fiscal health. Several students noted that the lecture made complex policy issues accessible and engaging, sparking new interest in economic and public service careers.
The Hutchinson Lecture drew an audience of more than 60 attendees, primarily undergraduates, as well as graduate students and faculty. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with strong audience participation and a call for more time to engage with the speaker. Moving forward, organizers aim to continue building on this momentum by attracting broader audiences and encouraging more interdisciplinary engagement.
The revival of the Hutchinson Lecture demonstrates the Economics Department’s commitment to connecting students to thought leaders in economics who use the tools of economics to inform economic policy. Plans are already underway for the 2026 lecture, with a continued focus on issues that resonate with and inspire the next generation of economists.