Topic: Taxes
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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Playing the IRS card: Six presidents who used the IRS to bash political foes
Since the advent of the federal income tax about a century ago, several presidents – or their zealous underlings – have directed the IRS to use its formidable police powers to harass or punish enemies, political rivals, and administration critics. Here are six infamous episodes.
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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal
How the tables have turned: The Internal Revenue Service is the one under the microscope now, as revelations emerged Friday that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
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5 myths about amnesty for illegal immigrants in Senate bill
Under a bipartisan Senate immigration bill, immigrants who have come to the United States illegally are given a "path to citizenship." On close inspection, each of the following five claims about the requirements for illegal immigrants to earn amnesty are not what they seem.
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Top 5 bull markets since 1929
The bull market that started in 2009 is currently the fifth most spectacular rise in stock prices since at least 1929. Can you guess which bull markets have been even more impressive?
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Briefing
After the 'sequester,' now what?
$85 billion in across-the-board cuts to defense and social programs took effect March 1. The cuts must occur this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Here's how things look.
All Content
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Tax VOX Taxes: Who would pay more under Obama budget?
President Obama's 2014 budget would taxes on the highest-income American households, Gleckman writes, but middle-income households would also pay slightly more in taxes than under today’s law.
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Energy Voices Climate change deniers strike out – even in energy-rich Kansas
States, not Congress, are taking the lead on climate change laws – from a new cap-and-trade program in California to widespread adoption of renewable electricity standards. Moves to weaken those standards aren't gaining traction in state capitals.
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Tax VOX What happened to state tax reform?
Months ago, several Republican governors proposed major tax reform plans, Gleckman writes, but by tax day, two of those governors had abandoned their tax reform plans. What happened?
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Tax VOX How to simplify child-care tax benefits
Congress could simplify child-care tax benefits by harmonizing the maximum allowable expenses for both benefits, or eliminating one of the benefits altogether, Maag writes.
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To reinvigorate Republican Party, tea party takes page from Occupy
Tea party activists have come up with 10 bills that they call the New Fair Deal – a nod to ending special interests in D.C. The plan includes privatizing Social Security and replacing Obamacare.
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Robert Reich Why this is the worst economic recovery on record
We’re now witnessing what happens when all of the economic gains go to the top, and the rest of the population doesn’t have enough purchasing power to keep the economy going.
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Finished 2012 taxes? Plan for '13.
Before you close the books on 2012, spend a few minutes thinking about taxes for 2013. High-income taxpayers in particular will have to plan to ease tax bite.
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Decoder Wire Obama's tax rate is 18.4 percent. Is that too low for a millionaire?
The release of President Obama's tax returns last week showed that his tax rate has gone down. Of course, his income went down and he gave a lot to charity, but critics are still chirping.
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USA Update Are your taxes fair? Increasingly, Americans say no.
On Monday, both sides in the ideological battle over spending and taxes are seeking to reinforce the divide – with a 'red tape tower' and a federal taxpayer receipt.
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Saving Money Tax Day freebies: Curly fries, Cinnabon, and document shredding
Tax Day freebies are here to cheer you up on April's cruelest day. This year's tax day freebies include Arby's curly fries, Cinnabon, and a hydro massage.
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In Gear Obama budget boosts funding, tax credit for electric cars
President Obama would like to boost the Department of Energy's research budget to develop more efficient cars, as well as increase the maximum tax credit for electric car buyers. Will it help more drivers make the switch?
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Obama budget 'compromise?' No way, says the GOP (+video)
In the Republican radio address Saturday, Rep. Jackie Walorski (R) of Indiana called President Obama's proposed budget for 2014 'a blank check for more spending and more debt.'
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USA Update Obama, like everyone, must face the tax man. Here are his numbers.
President Obama is wealthy, but his income has been dropping in recent years, mainly due to a decline in book revenues. In releasing his 2012 return, the White House again pushed for tax reform.
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Tax VOX Obama budget: the plan to cap retirement savings benefits
President Obama's 2014 budget would limit tax benefits for workers with high-balance retirement saving accounts. The plan is a smart way to roll back the billions in tax breaks that go to investors who don’t need tax incentives to save for retirement, Harris writes.
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Tax reform: Why Rep. Dave Camp won't rest until it's done
GOP Rep. Dave Camp, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, says he's willing to 'walk down every street' to build consensus in Congress on tax reform.
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Social Security proposal from Obama: How would it affect you?
'Chained CPI,' a leading idea for how to keep Social Security solvent for the decades ahead, is part of President Obama's budget proposal. Here's what it would mean for benefits.
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Tax VOX Obama budget: How would the 'Buffett Rule' work?
President Obama's 2014 budget proposal calls for a so-called 'Buffett Rule' that would ensure that high-income households pay at least a minimum percentage of their income in taxes. It turns out that setting a floor on the taxes rich people pay is not so easy, Williams writes.
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Robert Reich Obama budget: Why entitlement cuts are a 'grand bargain' we don't need
President Obama's willingness to negotiate on Social Security – which Democrats have protected from Republican assaults for almost eighty years – doesn’t bode well, Reich writes.
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Energy Voices Obama budget boosts 'green energy,' but no olive branch to GOP
President Obama's budget calls for increased investing in clean-energy technology and the ending of tax preferences for the oil and gas industry. The 2014 budget proposal is in line with the president's 'all-of-the-above' energy policy, but does little to reach across the aisle.
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Six things Obama's budget plan reveals about his priorities
President Obama's $3.78 trillion budget for fiscal 2014 lays out elements of a possible 'grand bargain' with Congress. At the same time, it speaks to his policy priorities.
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The Simple Dollar Tax day 2013: Your tax refund is not a Christmas present
If you ever want to put yourself onto firm financial ground, you cannot afford to treat your tax refund check like a Christmas present, Hamm writes.
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Focus Tax reform: Why a kinder, simpler tax code eludes Congress, so far
As Tax Day nears, Americans in the throes of preparing their returns may be dreaming of a simpler tax code. Here's why tax reform is such a tall order for Congress – and how two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for it now.
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Obama budget plan would cut deficits – but enough?
A sketch of President Obama's new budget proposal shows a modest amount of deficit reduction, but some experts say more is needed to set the US on a stable economic path.
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Tax VOX How much will payroll tax hikes cost you?
Higher payroll taxes will take $115 billion out of workers’ pockets this year and cut consumer spending, according to the Tax Policy Center.
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Readers Write: What real US tax reform could look like
Letters to the Editor for the April 8, 2013 weekly print issue: If the US only taxes individuals (not businesses) with a personal income tax and a retail sales tax, the savings to governments, businesses, and families would be enormous. Another idea: Do away with income tax, initiate a three-tier flat tax with no exemptions, and then initiate a national sales tax.
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