Larry DeBoer studies state and local government public policy, including such topics as government budget and taxing options, issues of property tax assessment, local government revenue options, and the fiscal impact of economic development. He consults with the Indiana Legislative Services Agency about tax and finance issues, including the annual state revenue forecasts. The legislature uses his model of the Indiana property tax to analyze the effects of policy changes. The model was used extensively during the 2002-03 reassessment and tax restructuring. He directed the staff work for the Citizen’s Commission on Taxation, the group established by the Governor to study tax reform in Indiana, during 1997-98. He directed a study on market value property tax assessment for the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners during 1995-99. He analyzes the fiscal impacts of riverboat gaming on local governments for the Indiana Gaming Commission, and consults with local governments about fiscal issues. He maintains a local government website to provide information for Indiana residents and public officials.

DeBoer writes the macroeconomic outlook section of the Agricultural Economics Department's annual outlook program. He teaches an undergraduate course in macroeconomics, AGEC 217, with an enrollment of 400 each semester. He has won the department’s “Outstanding Teacher Award” five times. His monthly newspaper column, “Capital Comments,” deals with government and macroeconomic issues.