Topic: Property Taxes

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Income tax refund: five tips for maximizing it

People are always looking for ways to get every dollar back they deserve at tax time. Fortunately, there are some smart moves you can make before April 17 to help maximize your income tax refund. Spending a few minutes now will save you time preparing your taxes and can help you get big savings. Here are five tips to get you started:
A brief history of the Greek debt crisis

The Greek debt crisis has unfolded over several years and through a litany of bailouts, parliamentary votes, and credit downgrades. Here is a brief overview of how we got to where we stand today.
Home foreclosed? Top 5 ways to survive.

If you have found yourself in foreclosure – or having to sell your home without making a dime – it probably seems like the end of the world, or at least your life. But here’s a word of advice: Snap out of it! As two homeowners who have had their homes foreclosed, we not only survived, we’ve flourished. And so can you. Here's how:
China's real estate bubble? Three reasons it's not.

Many analysts and market watchers, whose job it is to warn of impending real estate bubbles, have trained their sights on China. It's easy to see why. The economy has expanded an average 10 percent a year for the past 30 years, an incredible growth rate. Average housing prices tripled between 2005 to 2009 alone. But here are three reasons Chinese real estate has more room to run on the upside before the good times end:
'What’s in Rahm Emanuel’s basement?' Five curious questions at Chicago hearing.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners must decide if Rahm Emanuel qualifies as a resident and can run to succeed Mayor Richard M. Daley. A three-day hearing on the topic yielded all sorts of questions and answers. Here's a sampling of those both for and against his run.

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'Tea Party socialists?' Why the left is leading a tax revolt in Ireland.

As the deadline passed midnight Sunday for payment of a new government fee, only 49 percent of households had signed up to pay amid frustration with the government's austerity agenda.
Income tax refund: five tips for maximizing it

People are always looking for ways to get every dollar back they deserve at tax time. Fortunately, there are some smart moves you can make before April 17 to help maximize your income tax refund. Spending a few minutes now will save you time preparing your taxes and can help you get big savings. Here are five tips to get you started:
Bankruptcy jitters in Stockton. Will other cities fail?

Bankruptcy of Stockton, Calif., looms large as city enters talks with creditors. But most other troubled California municipalities are taking drastic steps to avoid bankruptcy.
Saving Money
Retirement plans? Don't forget about state, local taxes.

Retirement plans should include an appraisal of the impact of state and local taxes. Levies on income, benefits, property, purchases, and estate can make a difference in your retirement plans. 
Tax VOX
Local budgets: The crisis that didn't happen (yet)

State revenues have rebounded, and there was no municipal bond default crisis. But given the furor over public pensions and labor compensation more generally in 2011, the coming year could be one of conflict in state capitols and city halls.
A brief history of the Greek debt crisis

The Greek debt crisis has unfolded over several years and through a litany of bailouts, parliamentary votes, and credit downgrades. Here is a brief overview of how we got to where we stand today.
Home foreclosed? Top 5 ways to survive.

If you have found yourself in foreclosure – or having to sell your home without making a dime – it probably seems like the end of the world, or at least your life. But here’s a word of advice: Snap out of it! As two homeowners who have had their homes foreclosed, we not only survived, we’ve flourished. And so can you. Here's how:
China's real estate bubble? Three reasons it's not.

Many analysts and market watchers, whose job it is to warn of impending real estate bubbles, have trained their sights on China. It's easy to see why. The economy has expanded an average 10 percent a year for the past 30 years, an incredible growth rate. Average housing prices tripled between 2005 to 2009 alone. But here are three reasons Chinese real estate has more room to run on the upside before the good times end:
Tax VOX
Tax cap plan: Should New York tell its cities what to do?

New York's governor and Democratic leaders agree to cap local property taxes to 2 percent. But local taxpayers should decide that.
Tax Day 2011: What's new for homeowners

Homeowners who got the first-time homebuyers tax credit in 2008, beware. You have to start paying it back on Tax Day 2011. But other homeowners are in line for new deductions.
The Circle Bastiat
Who will win the battle between teachers and taxpayers?

Some members of wealthy communities don't want to pay high property taxes after their kids leave the public school system.
Tax VOX
Jerry Brown: Governor Moonbeam or Tiger Mom?

California's governor is giving local governments some tough love.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo talks 'change' but not budget cuts

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told state leaders simply that it was 'time for New York to change' in his first State of the State speech. He faces daunting budget, education, and oversight issues.
'What’s in Rahm Emanuel’s basement?' Five curious questions at Chicago hearing.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners must decide if Rahm Emanuel qualifies as a resident and can run to succeed Mayor Richard M. Daley. A three-day hearing on the topic yielded all sorts of questions and answers. Here's a sampling of those both for and against his run.
Bill Clinton unwittingly stars in new anti-Brown California ad

The ad from Republican candidate Meg Whitman's campaign uses footage from a 1992 Democratic presidential primary debate in which Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown squared off.
Jerry Brown stresses his frugality (but doesn't mention his $1.8 million house)

Jerry Brown is all about frugality on the California campaign trail except when it comes to his rarely mentioned custom-designed, $1.8 million house in one of the San Francisco Bay area's most prestigious neighborhoods
The Vote
'First Dude' Todd Palin heavily involved in governing Alaska

More than an 'unpaid advisor' to former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, 'First Dude' Todd Palin seemed to have his hands on the machinery of government and politics. Then there was the tanning bed.
Portland promotes urban cycling, but costs will be high

The eco-conscious city plans to build more than 680 miles of new bikeways in the coming two decades at a cost of $613 million.
The New Economy
Home prices fall, but local property taxes rise, Census says

Local property tax revenues are up 3.6 percent, according to new census data, despite a 30 percent decline in home prices.
Poll: California voters would rebuff budget reforms

California voters are unhappy with the state government but in no mood to approve reforms that would improve its performance, a new poll finds.
Election results hearten Republicans, deal blow to Obama

The 2009 election results in two governor's races are a warning to moderate Democrats worried about 2010 reelection. If they go down, Obama's agenda is imperiled.
Can Obama rescue Corzine in New Jersey governor's race?

Gov. Jon Corzine ropes in Obama to help him win a close race in New Jersey. Obama will campaign for Corzine Wednesday night.
City budgets set to get worse, 'tough decisions' ahead

The National League of Cities report released Tuesday suggests cities will have to get more innovative – perhaps privatizing important municipal functions.
As home values fall, property tax revolt brews

In many cities across the US, homeowners are filing record numbers of assessment appeals, wanting their property taxes to reflect their shrinking value of their houses.
Kids' protest highlights rich-poor schools gap in Illinois

Critics say Chicago students shouldn't miss class to point out education-funding disparities.