Cato Journal, a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the libertarian Cato Institute. It often runs special issues on particular topics and attracts contributions from Nobel Prize-winning economists like James Buchanan. Every issue since 1981 is available online.
Columbia Journal of Tax Law, a recently established law review specializing in all aspects of taxation. Every issue is available for free.
FDIC Quarterly, a journal published by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, it contains detailed analyses of the banking industry. All issues since 2007 are available. (This publication was previously called the FDIC Outlook and the FDIC Banking Review. Back issues of those publications are also available.)
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Review, an important journal devoted to monetary policy and theory with a “monetarist” perspective. Every issue since 1967 is available.
Finance & Development, a journal published by the International Monetary Fund. It contains articles on international economic issues that are written for non-specialists. Every issue is available back to 1996.
Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, official journal of the conservative Federalist Society. Every article since the fall 2005 issue is available online.
Journal of Economic Perspectives, a journal published by the American Economic Association that carries policy-oriented articles that are accessible to non-economists. Every issue is freely available back to 1999.
Monthly Labor Review, a journal published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that is filled with articles and statistics on labor issues. All issues are available back to 1981.
National Tax Journal, published by the National Tax Association, it is the principal academic journal on the economics of taxation. Issues within the last two years are available only to members of the association, but older issues are freely available back to 1988.
Regulation, another journal published by the Cato Institute with articles on all aspects of government regulation. Every issue is available back to 1977.
Social Security Bulletin, published by the Social Security Administration. Carries articles on Social Security, welfare and the economic status of the elderly. Every issue is available back to 1949.
Statistics of Income Bulletin, a journal published by the Internal Revenue Service with articles and statistics on a variety of tax-related topics. Every issue since 1981 is available.
Survey of Current Business, a journal published by the Department of Commerce with detailed discussions of the gross domestic product, international trade and other statistics compiled by the department. Every issue is available back to 1994.
Tax Policy and the Economy, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, it contains the latest cutting-edge, empirical research on the economics of taxation. Every issue except the latest is freely available back to the first issue in 1987.
Treasury Bulletin, a useful statistical publication from the Treasury. It has data on the ownership of Treasury securities, capital movements, currency reserves, etc. Every issue since 1996 is available.
Note: Almost all of these journals require Adobe Reader, software available free for download.
Bruce Bartlett is an American historian and columnist who focuses on the intersection between politics and economics. He
blogs daily
and writes a weekly column at The Fiscal Times. Read his most recent column here. Bartlett has written for Forbes Magazine and Creators Syndicate, and his work is informed by many years in government, including as a senior policy analyst in the Reagan White House. He is the author of seven books including the New York Times best-seller, Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy (Doubleday, 2006).