Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Romney’s Tax (Mis)Calculations:

by Linda Beale Romney’s Tax (Mis)Calculations: if your two and two don’t add to four, pretend the Laffer curve gives you more Anybody watching last night’s presidential debate surely became aware at some point that Romney’s so-called “plan” for economic growth is an empty shell based on the idea that he’s made money for himself […]

The 1964 Tax Cuts and Economic Growth – Paul Ryan Edition

by Mike Kimel The 1964 Tax Cuts and  Economic Growth – Paul Ryan Edition  During last week’s Vice Presidential debates, Paul Ryan stated: “Jack Kennedy lowered tax rates, increased growth.”  There was some commentary about Biden’s response (“Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy.”) but just about everyone seems to miss what I think is the important point. Take […]

If Europe Adds a Financial Transactions Tax, Will We Follow?

by Linda Beale If Europe Adds a Financial Transactions Tax, Will We Follow? Has the time come for the US to impose a financial transactions tax?  It would have several positive features.  First, it would raise revenues, which are sorely needed for everything from climate change action to infrastructure improvements to aid for needy families.  […]

Romney’s "revenue neutral" 20% rate cut may not be achievable, Hassett admits

Lifted from Linda Beale’s: Romney’s “revenue neutral” 20% rate cut may not be achievable, Hassett admits…For months, many tax experts have been saying that even what is known about Romney’s plan–skimpy as it is on any real information–shows that it is unworkable.  One of Romney’s sometimes advisers finally sort of acknowledged that.  Kevin Hassett (an […]

NY AG defends tax-exempt organization probe

by Linda Beale NY AG defends tax-exempt organization probe After complaints from some academics about the rationale for a New York investigation of tax exempt organizations and a letter from Congressional Republicans Dave Camp (MI) and Orrin Hatch (Utah)suggesting that the New York Attorney General should not be seeking copies of federal returns from taxpayers […]

Cactus and his merry band of madmen…and Megan McArdle

I googled the title phrase and ‘Behold!’, here are the three links.  Mike also sent them. Cactus and his merry band of madmen and Megan McArdle Megan McArdle has a question Megan McArdle has a question: What happens to the cottage industry among Democratic-leaning armchair economists grinding out analyses proving that Democratic presidents are, like, totally […]

Romney’s Tax Views

by Linda Beale Romney’s Tax Views Lead to Blooper Comments Denigrating America’s Elderly and Poor Most of us who follow tax issues in the news and in political campaigns are aware that GOP candidate Mitt Romney has been very secretive about various items. First and foremost, he has been secretive about his own extraordinary wealth:  […]

An opinion on Thumtack.com/GW University Small Business Political Survey

I was forwarded an early look at a survey that was produced by George Washington University’s School of Political Management in conjunction with Thumbtack.com. As some readers know, I am an honest to goodness small business owner. Two business actually and they are as different as say a private practice physician and a florist. So…………I […]

Whistleblower gets millions: good for compliance improvement (and makes us ask again–did Romney get amnesty?)

by Linda Beale Whistleblower gets millions: good for compliance improvement (and makes us ask again–did Romney get amnesty?) Bradley Birkenfeld, the UBS whistleblower who helped jumpstart the IRS’s enforcement of foreign bank account reporting and helped catch criminal tax evaders, ended up serving a relatively short prison term (for failure to be entirely forthcoming, in […]

Corporate taxes down, workers’ taxes up–that’s America today

by Linda Beale Corporate taxes down, workers’ taxes up–that’s America today Corporate taxes used to constitute a significant portion of federal revenues, almost a third in 1950.  Payroll taxes from workers were considerably less–around 10% in 1950.  Andrew Leonard, Who Really Pays Taxes? Salon.com (Aug. 28, 2012).The times have changed.  Corporate taxes have declined steeply […]