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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Two-Way

Oregon's Cash-Strapped Counties Reject Public Safety Levies

A yard sign opposes a local tax increase to fund public safety in Josephine County, Oregon. The ballot measure reportedly failed by a thin margin.

May 22, 2013 Two Oregon counties have reportedly rejected property tax increases that would have funded law enforcement and public safety services. The counties once received federal timber subsidies, but those days are over — and now they're scrambling to pay for essential services.

Summary

Friday, March 29, 2013

Shots - Health News

Obamacare Won't Affect Most 2012 Taxes, Despite Firm's Claim

Taxes this year will be as much of a drag as ever. But not because of the Affordable Care Act.

March 29, 2013 CPRH&R Block claims it's equipped to guide you through the Affordable Care Act and the law's implications for your taxes this year. But the law doesn't really affect 2012 returns.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Monday, March 04, 2013

All Tech Considered

'Consumer Reports' Offers Tips For Doing Taxes Online

While many people look to tax preparation services for help, Tobie Stanger, editor at Consumer Reports, says online tools are often cost-effective.

March 4, 2013 More self-preparation tools have become available this tax season. Some people may be anxious about doing their taxes online, but an expert from Consumer Reports says it's worth a shot.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Saturday, December 29, 2012

NPR Ombudsman

Daddy Warbucks: What Do We Mean By 'The Wealthy'?

Speaker of the House John Boehner holds his weekly news briefing in the Capitol Visitors Center on Dec. 13, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

December 29, 2012 They are the subject of the fiscal cliff drama, and we find that the favored phrase by NPR reporters and hosts covering the negotiations is to call them "the wealthy." Some listeners rightfully object. However, alternatives such as "job creators" are also inaccurate and political.

Summary

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The Two-Way

On 'Fiscal Cliff,' Majority Of Public Sides With Democrats, Pew Poll Says

President Obama, with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) behind him, delivering his State of the Union address last January.

December 13, 2012 Fifty-five percent of those surveyed said President Obama is making a "serious effort" to work with Republicans. Just 32 percent said Republicans are making a serious effort to work with the Democratic president.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Shots - Health News

The Perilous Politics Of The Health Insurance Tax Break

MIT health economist Jonathan Gruber, who explained the ins and outs of health overhaul in a comic book, says that excluding the value of health insurance from federal taxes is a terrible idea, at least from an economist's point of view.

December 4, 2012 Economists say that excluding the value of employer-sponsored health insurance from federal taxes makes no sense. But many worry that changing the tax code could mean higher taxes or that employers would push down the value of the health insurance they provide.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Shots - Health News

The Huge (And Rarely Discussed) Health Insurance Tax Break

The largest tax break in the federal code doesn't appear on the forms the average person fills out each year.

December 4, 2012 Most people don't realize that they don't pay taxes on the value of health benefits from their job. If employer-provided health insurance was taxed in the same way as wages, the federal government could gain $250 billion a year. But it would mean higher taxes for many people.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Saturday, December 01, 2012

It's All Politics

Obama Back In Campaign Mode; This Time, It's Taxes

President Obama looks over a roller coaster with K'Nex inventor and Chairman Joel Glickman (left) and President and CEO Michael Araten on Friday during a tour of the company in Hatfield, Pa.

December 1, 2012 The president is using email, social media and public appearances to promote his message in the fight over federal taxes on Capitol Hill. The president hopes the campaign will put pressure on Republican lawmakers to come to a deal that would avoid automatic, across-the-board tax hikes.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SaturdayPlaylist

Friday, November 30, 2012

The Two-Way

Today's Three Stories To Read About The 'Fiscal Cliff'

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner as he arrived at the Capitol on Thursday for negotiations with congressional leaders.

November 30, 2012 The White House and congressional leaders continue to talk about taxes, spending cuts and how to avoid an end-of-year deadline — when Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire and automatic spending cuts are set to go into effect.

Summary

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Two-Way

Grover Norquist: Pink Unicorns Aren't Real And GOP Won't Break Tax Pledge

Grover Norquist, founder of Americans for Tax Reform and the man behind the pledge.

November 28, 2012 The man behind Republicans' "no new taxes" pledge says Democrats won't propose "real" spending cuts or reforms. It's a fantasy to think they would, Norquist says. So, he says, even those Republicans who are suggesting they might vote for higher tax revenues won't do so.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Two-Way

Romney's 2011 Tax Return Shows He Paid At 14.1 Percent Rate, Campaign Says

September 21, 2012 That rate is in line with earlier statements the candidate made about how much he paid in taxes last year. He's also releasing a summary of his taxes from the past 20 years — which may not satisfy Democrats who want him to offer more details.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Planet Money

The 47 Percent, In One Graphic

promo chart

September 18, 2012 Why do nearly half of U.S families pay no federal income taxes? Low income and special programs for the elderly, the working poor and families with children.

Summary

Monday, August 27, 2012

It's All Politics

Romney's Plan To Broaden Tax Base Finds Critics

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., on July 10. Romney says he wants to sharply cut income tax rates, but that those cuts would be revenue-neutral.

August 27, 2012 The Republican presidential candidate says he favors keeping all of the Bush-era tax cuts and then adding some more. To pay for these cuts, he would reduce or eliminate some of the tax deductions that many Americans have come to rely on. Economists support that plan, but Mitt Romney must win over Americans who benefit from them.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Sunday, August 19, 2012

It's All Politics

Ryan's Taxes Show Gap Between Romney And The Not-So-Rich

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., on July 10. Romney said he has "nothing hidden" in his taxes.

August 19, 2012 Mitt Romney's campaign hoped to close the book on tax questions when running mate Paul Ryan released two years of tax returns. Not quite. In reality, the differences between Romney and Ryan's taxes helps propel the debate further.

Summary

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Planet Money

Should We Tax Olympic Prize Money?

U.S. gold medallists pose on the podium after their world-record 4x100m medley relay final.

August 8, 2012 Taxes should be as simple as possible. A $25,000 prize the U.S. Olympic Committee pays you for winning a gold medal should be taxed exactly the same as $25,000 a restaurant pays you for washing dishes.

Summary

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