All Tax VOX
- Tax subsidies reduce cost of health care under ACA, HHS reports
The cost of the average federal health insurance exchange premiums has gone down from $346 to $82, thanks to tax subsidies, US Department of Health and Human Services reports. In other tax news, senators Chris Murphy and Bob Corker proposed to raise the gasoline taxes.
- Medtronic merger: How tax cuts drive key business decisions
Medtronic Inc.'s merger with Covidien PLC is an opportunity for the medical device maker to get tax cuts, writes Howard Gleckman. Why? Because Covidien's headquarters are in Ireland.
- House Judiciary Committee to vote on Internet tax bill
The House Judiciary Committee will vote on a bill to prevent states and cities from taxing internet access Wednesday. Meanwhile, US companies reportedly have about $2 billion in profits overseas.
- House's bonus depreciation rules: What they mean for fruits
The Ways and Means Committee sent the House a bill that has a 'job-killing exclusion' that would hurt growers of blueberries, raspberries, and other fruits from bushes, writes Howard Gleckman. How did this happen?
- Ohio lawmakers turn $700 million surplus into tax cut
Gov. John Kasich proposed a $100 million tax cut to Ohio state legislature, but lawmakers turned it into a $500 million reduction in 2015 and $100 million every year after that. What does this mean for Ohio, in light of the states's 14 percent decline in tax collections?
- Repatriation tax holiday may have allowed multinational corporations to manipulate earnings
The 2004 repatriation tax holiday may have made it easier for multinational corporations to polish their financial statements, a new study found. Howard Gleckman writes that the tax holiday wasn't a good idea in 2004, and is still a bad idea 10 years later.
- Tax extenders, reform on deck for this summer
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor says there will be three tax extender bills to vote on this week. The Senate Finance Committee will also hold hearings later this summer on comprehensive tax reform.
- Congress to review verification process for Affordable Care Act's tax credits
The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight will review review the government’s ability to verify income and insurance information when it comes to the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits and subsidies on June 10. Meanwhile, Spain joins a growing list of countries that wants to lower the corporate income tax.
- Could heterosexual couples use domestic partnerships to avoid marriage tax penalty?
Some states may have created a way for heterosexual couples to avoid the marriage tax penalty, writes Howard Gleckman. How can domestic partnerships lead toward the federal marriage tax penalty?
- What do Ohio and Japan have in common? Tax cuts.
Ohio's legislature came up with a compromise bill on its income tax cut, while Japan is cutting its corporate tax. What does this mean for their finances?
- With EPA's tough new standards, a carbon tax may be more plausible
EPA’s new greenhouse gas rules may open the door to a state-based carbon tax, Howard Gleckman writes. But, no one has mentioned the 't' word yet.
- Hurricane season is here, and preparation is tax-free this week
Hurricane season began June 1, and Floridians can purchase hurricane supplies, including ice packs, flashlights, and portable generators, without paying sales tax until June 8.
- Committee votes to not repeal bonus depreciation for business capital investment
The House Ways and Means Committee voted to keep a corporate tax break permanent. And that is a mistake, Howard Gleckman writes.
- A roundup of this week's tax news
This week, the DC Council voted to support $165 million in tax cuts and Rhode Island considers a bill to cut the state's corporate income tax rate. Renu Zaretsky has the scoop on the latest in taxes.
- Three alternative policies and taxes for climate change
The Environmental Protection Agency's mission to control greenhouse gases is long and complicated, write Adele Morris. But, there are three better ways to fight climate change.
- Why a carbon tax is great – and very complicated
Carbon tax could help fight the battle against climate change, writes Howard Gleckman. But, enacting such a tax is easier said than done.
- Why Congress should nix the medical device tax and raise cigarette taxes instead
Senate Republicans say the excise tax on medical devices should be repealed. They have a point, writes Len Burman, and taxes on cigarettes should be raised instead.
- Why Pfizer, other US multinationals can't keep waiting for corporate tax reform
US-multinationals like Pfizer are using several tactics to avoid paying US taxes, writes Howard Gleckman. And Pfizer and other firms can't keep waiting for corporate tax reform from Congress.
- Why US fiscal policy needs to change
Gene Steuerle's latest book, "Dean Men Ruling," shows issues with the US's current fiscal policy. But the problem is bigger than fiscal policy and more about the country's lawmakers, writes Gleckman.
- Employer health insurance tax breaks: bad for retirees, bad for the deficit
What would happen if Congress repealed the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored insurance? Because of Social Security, that question has a very complicated answer.