The "great recession" has caused governments at all levels to reevaluate their budgets in an effort to do more with less. In 2010, the City and County of San Francisco sought help in evaluating a series of changes to the city's business tax system. We aided the city in evaluating both the fiscal and economic effects of proposed changes to the city's business tax. Our analysis helped point the way toward a tax system that could raise additional revenue with a minimal impact on the city's economy.