The adoption of wireless communications has grown from 48.7 million subscribers in 1997 to 321.7 million subscribers in 2012. Despite the increased use of this innovative technology, the wireless industry is one of the most heavily taxed in the nation. The U.S. average state and local sales tax for most goods and services is currently […]
Forever Red in Illinois
As the Illinois legislature winds up the 2013 session by creating a new $750,000 “Forever Green Illinois Program” (it’s really there on pp. 8-9 of the 284-page budget bill) that would fund the “maintenance and beautification of greenery,” including grass, weeds, trees, shrubs, bushes, and plants on state or local government property, elected officials should also consider adopting a new official […]
Nothing New Under the IRS Sun
By now I am sure you have heard that the IRS targeted and harassed Tea Party and conservative groups that were trying to obtain non-profit status. If a group used words like “tea party” or “patriot” in their organization’s name or the phrase “making America a better place to live” it was enough to raise […]
Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft – an Update
April is the cruelest month for most taxpayers, but for a growing number of them, it is the months that follow that do the most damage.
Same old thing: Tax and Spend
We were provided a joint analysis of President Obama’s budget by the House and Senate Republican Budget Committees.
To Catch a Thief
‘Tis the season…for tax refund fraud. And the 2012 filing season promises to be a whooper when it comes to taxpayers’ refunds being ripped off.
911 Funds Should Support 911 Functions
The 911 system is a valuable emergency communications tool available nationwide, and supported, in part, through fees typically designated as either 911 funds or enhanced 911 (E-911) fees.
Make the Ban on Internet Taxation Permanent
Today’s increasingly digital age has surrounded everyone’s lives with constantly connected laptops, tablets, and Smartphones, with quick, easy access to the Internet. These modern technological achievements are largely due to the fact that since 1992, when the general public first gained access to the World Wide Web, the Internet has been mostly free from government regulation and taxation.
Higher Taxes Will Lead to New Spending
The fiscal cliff, a combination of automatic budget cuts and tax increases set to take effect at the beginning of 2013, has dominated the news since the 2012 Presidential election. The effect of going off the cliff would be detrimental to the U.S. economy, potentially leading to a 3.6 percent decline in the gross domestic product. These impending negative consequences have led to Congress and the president scrambling to strike a deal.
Identity Fraud Hits Taxpayers in the Wallet
For many years, it has been clear that identity theft is a grave threat to the fiscal sovereignty of millions of Americans. For its victims, many of whom are saddled with the new and unwelcome full-time job of battling fraudulent credit card charges and mounting debt, normal life can seem a long way off. Even those who do everything right, from hiring lawyers to disputing each new charge, can be in for a long, painful battle. And while there is nothing good about identity theft, it is at least fortunate that the problem has historically been largely contained to the individual – until recently.