Topic: Tax Foundation

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Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan: What would your sales tax be?

Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan would create a new 9 percent federal sales tax. Here are estimates of the cumulative state, local, and federal sales taxes that consumers in each state would have to pay under the plan.
Top 5 conservative holidays

Commemorating a day to call attention to a political cause has long been a tactic of liberals and those further out on the left, but that's not to say that conservatives haven't tried to come up with their own holidays. Here are our top five.

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Difference Maker
Tax day: 1040 reasons you should know Nina Olson

Nina Olson is the National Taxpayer Advocate – the voice of the public at the IRS. She's trying to help you navigate the tax code you love to loathe.
Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan: What would your sales tax be?

Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan would create a new 9 percent federal sales tax. Here are estimates of the cumulative state, local, and federal sales taxes that consumers in each state would have to pay under the plan.
Herman Cain 9-9-9 sticker shock? 18% sales tax possible in some states.

Under the Herman Cain 9-9-9 tax plan, a new federal sales tax would be added on top of existing state and local sales taxes. That means 9-9-9 could yield large sales taxes in some places.
Robert Reich
Rick Perry's secret plan to save blue states from red states

Fiscal secession would actually benefit liberal states, which receive less federal tax benefit than their conservative counterparts
Rick Perry: Where does he stand on health care, gay marriage, and taxes?

Rick Perry is under a national media spotlight. DCDecoder looks at Rick Perry's position on three key issues.
Top 5 conservative holidays

Commemorating a day to call attention to a political cause has long been a tactic of liberals and those further out on the left, but that's not to say that conservatives haven't tried to come up with their own holidays. Here are our top five.
California 'Amazon tax' kicks in – and local businesses could be losers

A new state law requires large, out-of-state retailers to collect sales taxes on Internet purchases by California customers. The so-called Amazon tax has online retailers cutting ties with local affiliates.
Why Minnesota? Possible state shutdown mirrors larger US debate

With tax revenues still low, state and federal budgets are tight – and across the nation, politicians are drawing lines in the sand.
Taxes and the rich: How much do they pay now?

As Republicans square off with the Obama administration on how much to tax the wealthiest Americans, a new report suggests the overall tax burden does not vary much by income level.
Growthology
Will higher taxes deter entrepreneurs?

A failure to extend the current low rates on cap gains and dividends would be central to entrepreneurial concerns.
Tax holiday: 'tis the season when many states waive sales taxes

Many states are implementing a tax holiday in the coming weeks, hoping to boost retail sales and let struggling families get more for their money in a down economy. Experts are divided as to whether the scheme actually drives more shoppers to make purchases
Plastic bags: Untapped tax gold mine?

Plastic bags have been taxed in Washington, D.C., since January, bringing the city nearly $1 million for river cleanup. But can a bag tax bring revenue in the long term?
When taxes rise next year, will the rich avoid them?

Extreme tax avoidance could frustrate Obama's plans to trim the deficit.
Wealthy Americans shoulder health care tax burden

President Obama is 'spreading the wealth,' that is, taxing the rich and redistributing the wealth. Good policy or heavy-handed intrusion?
Tax Day 101: 42 excuses you can't use to avoid filing IRS forms

The IRS has released a list of 42 'contentions' that people make when they don't want to file their IRS forms on tax day, including 'I am not a person.' None fly legally, the IRS says.
Tax Day 101: The tax code needs a fix – but exactly how?

Almost everyone agrees that the US tax code needs fixing, but people don't agree on how to do it.
Tax day 101: Are some states driving people out with high state taxes?

Seven of eight states with the biggest population outflows have high state taxes.
The New Economy
Obama to use backdoor taxes to hit middle class? Oops, not true.

Reuters withdrew a story Tuesday that suggested Obama would cut the deficit through backdoor taxes on the middle class.
Will Americans raise taxes to curb deficits? Oregon a test case.

A ballot before Oregon voters Tuesday would raise taxes on high earners to lower the yawning state deficit. It is being seen as a snapshot of the national mood.
Oh, give me a home without a subsidized loan

The government should no more meddle in your decision to buy a home than it should interfere with your decision to buy a car.
Recession pummels South’s ‘miracle' economy

With seven states now seeing double-digit unemployment rates, the region is feeling some of the costs of a low-wage economy.
Which states get the most federal money?

The government spent $9,184 per person last year. But the money was not distributed evenly among the 50 states.
ECONOMIC SCENE: Obama takes first step to redistribute wealth

Modest effort may still face still opposition in Congress.
In defense of student loans

Everyone should have the opportunity to go to college, but fairness demands that students themselves – not taxpayers collectively – pay their way.