Week of April 9th, 2012

Tax Day is TUESDAY. If you haven’t filed yet and need some help, we have tips from a tax pro. And if you think you’re getting taxed too much, the Beatles were at one point taxed 98 percent of their income. We learn about Britain’s more unusual taxes and how citizens dodged them. Plus, almost 40 percent of working women out-earn their husbands. And that’s having an effect on the social order. A look at what it means when she brings home the bacon. And, good thing women are making more money,’cause a single shirt at the dry cleaner can cost her double. Really? Really.

Google splits its stock, which lowers the price to buy in but also limits the power of many shareholders. Commentator Randall Kenneth Jones explains why the term “professional courtesy” has never been more vital to business. This year’s warm winter has many farmers scratching their heads about when to harvest in order to get the best-quality greens. We hear about how technology may in fact help save the printed page. And Kai Ryssdal talks to author Olivia Cabane about his level of charisma and about how charisma and charm applies to business.

The last three months in China were the worst for the country’s economic growth since early 2009 — so what’s going wrong? In St. Louis, the Stand Your Ground Law is coming under the spotlight, as the National Rifle Association holds its annual convention. We talk to L.A. Times consumer columnist David Lazarus about what to do when you are caught in an emergency at work. And where in the world should a savvy investor be looking to put their money this year?  

So we know that Facebook gathers our personal information. It knows our friends, our significant others, the music we like, where we work. It’s enough to raise a lot of privacy concerns for a lot of people. But the social media site is trying to calm some of those worries. Facebook has just announced it’ll roll out a feature that will let users check out more of the information it has gathered. Still, that’s still only a fraction of the information Facebook has.

Facebook wants to share your personal data, this time with you.

Olivia Fox Cabane, charisma coach and author of the book, "The Charisma Myth," offers a charisma assessment.

Commentator Leah Ingram is facing six years of paying college tuition for her two daughters. She has a suggestion to the government to help middle-class parents like herself.

A podcast taking you behind-the-scenes of our favorite stories from the past week: Facebook buying Instagram, hybrid car owners not buying twice and an in-depth look at lobster farming.

The last three months in China were the worst for the country’s economic growth since 2009 — 8.1 percent GDP, compared with 8.9 percent last quarter.

An ongoing story captivating China involves a man who was, until recently, a rising star within the ruling party, his spouse, and a British businessman who turn up dead in a Chinese hotel room. The wife is suspected of murder, her charismatic husband Bo Xilai is disgraced, his political power neutralized and now the investigation is reportedly looking into financial corruption.

This year's presidential race could be the most expensive ever, and neither President Obama nor his presumed opponent Mitt Romney are expected to accept public financing of their campaigns — it just wouldn't be enough.

A federal appeals court in San Francisco has ruled that public radio and TV stations cannot be barred from running political messages. But does this mean public stations are about to get a flood of paid campaign messages?

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While some states have legalized gay marriage, the federal government has not — which puts many same-sex couples at a loss on how to properly file their federal taxes.

Throughout history, rulers have imposed taxes on everything from wigs to windows, but astute tax avoiders have always found a way to escape them.

Commentator Randall Kenneth Jones says it's not only good for morale, it's good for the bottom line too.

A new report says that countries like Mexico, Nigeria and Turkey are joining China, India and Brazil as the hottest countries for emerging private equity market investment.

The California Supreme Court has ruled that while employers have to offer workers a lunch break, they don't have to make sure employees actually take a lunch break.

The Trayvon Martin case may build support for gun control, even as gun lobby celebrates changes in state laws.

I'm helping my girlfriend organize her student loans while she's wrapping up her final semester of architecture (grad) school. The Income Based Repayment plan is likely her best option for repayment. She's going to owe about $135,000 and expects to make about $65,000 in her first year out of school. Yes, it's a lot of debt! However, there is a significant amount of uncertainty around the program. There are two versions. In one, you pay 15 percent of your income over 150 percent of the poverty line for a maximum of 25 years. Anything left after the loan is forgiven. There is a newer version for borrowers' 2012 loans that is only 10 percent over 20 years. I'd like to verify that she's eligible for this newer program. Matthew, Brooklyn, NY

A new survey reveals that more than half of all businesses aren't concerned about or prepared for possible disasters. Here are some ways to prepare.

The two major banks beat expectations with JPMorgan reporting a $5.4 billion profit last quarter, and Wells Fargo making a $4.2 billion profit. Both said an uptick in mortgage lending helped their bottom lines.

In Britain's capital today, the mayor blocked an anti-gay group from putting ads on London buses.

Former disc jockey and current Marketplace reporter Bob Moon shares 1040-themed songs over the decades.

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Technology allows old books to stay "in print" indefinitely.

The news that didn't quite make the headlines. This week: A Nook e-reader that won't disturb others, a list of the best, worst and most stressful jobs in the U.S., and an artist is growing chairs.

It wasn't just the iceberg. A new book explores all the different circumstances that led to the demise of the ship, including the ship's wrought iron rivets.

Imagine if the U.S. Economy grew at 8.1 percent a year instead of the 3 perecent we've been living with. But in China this means slower growth recorded in the first three months of the year.

Reviewing the week's headlines on Wall Street. This week: Major profits from Wells Fargo and JPMorgan, whether the American housing market has hit a bottom and the European debt crisis.

We hear a lot about the strain on the housing market — but what about the barriers we put up to protect our homes?

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By adding a new class of non-voting shares, Google's top guns will gain even greater control over the giant search company.

A warm winter followed by frosts has Wisconsin farmers confused about when to harvest alfalfa. It’s the main food source for dairy cows.

San Franciscans have the dubious honor of being the best tax procrastinators of 2011. One S.F. citizen talks about her lax attitude to filing.

Consumer Reports polled 1,000 U.S. households and found that more Americans are feeling stressed today than at any time since September 2009.

Energy and where to find it for an increasingly energy-hungry world is going to be an issue in the future, and so will be the management of the energy we have. A lot of smart people in America are going to need to address the ongoing issue of energy in a really smart way. That means getting serious about building a smart grid, a power grid that is constantly gathering and processing information. Maggie Koerth-Baker, the author of a new book on energy, says if we don’t smarten up our grid, we’ll see more blackouts, more headaches. Plus, Shakespeare broken down and 3D chocolate printing.

New Orleans is gearing up for its annual Jazz Fest at the end of the month, but it turns out the Crescent City has a little work to do when it comes to the business side of things. Google has been doing a lot of spending lately, but is it also bringing in money from its bread-and-butter business — those ads it sells next to search results? Elsewhere in the tech world, the Department of Justice is accusing Apple and five publishers fixing prices for electronic books, or e-books.

Are Americans in favor of the so-called Buffett Rule currently being pushed by President Obama? Gallup’s Frank Newport reveals the poll’s latest results. Sony’s new CEO pledges that the company will rise yet again. The Department of Education wants to count part-timers, transfers and returning students in official graduation rates. More than a year after the revolt that toppled Tunisia’s ruler, discontent is rising because of poverty and unemployment. Departing World Bank President Robert Zoellick looks back at his tenure. And China correspondent Rob Schmitz offers a rare look at the people behind your iPad — this time, the bosses.

The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits rose by 13,000 over the last week — a surprise and not a good one. But more people voluntarily leaving their jobs can also be a good sign for the economy.

Investors will be looking at how much the search giant is getting for clicks on mobile ads.

Streaming Media's Dan Rayburn discusses the benefit of streaming a film on social networking sites at the same time as it's playing in theaters.

Your recent show on Federal Student Loans and associated debt kept my attention. A comment was made about possible forgiveness of a loan for someone who has been good with payments for years and has worked for civil service or non-profits. I'm in the non-profit sector (have been for 15+ years) and want to know how I might go about addressing that with the remaining principal on my Sallie Mae loan balance. Thanks. Gerri, Belmont, MA

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Part-timers, transfers and returning students aren't counted in official graduation rates. A change by the Department of Education could add them to the mix.

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The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week by 13,000 to 380,000. But what about all those Americans working at home?

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After five years, Robert Zoellick is about to step down as the president of the World Bank. He discusses the changing role of the organization in today's global economy.

The price of gasoline is skyrocketing in the U.S. — so why is natural gas at its lowest price in years?

A new book details our fragile electrical system. Plus, Shakespeare broken down and 3D chocolate printing.

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The Department of Justice is accusing Apple and five publishers fixing prices for electronic books, or e-books. Three of the publishers have already settled.

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The Obama administration has been arguing strongly this week for the Buffett Rule, which would raise taxes on those making $1 million a year or more. According to the latest Gallup polls, a majority of Americans are in favor of it.

Credit unions have increased small business loans in recent years. Now they want Congress to raise the cap on these loans.

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It's worth learning about reverse mortgages. The homeowner gets access to their home equity without moving.

Leaders in Washington D.C. are talking about changing the current height regulations on buildings in the city.

Anyone who’s filled up a gas tank recently would probably conclude there’s not enough supply and there’s too much demand, that’s why it costs almost $4 on average a gallon nationwide to fill up your tank. But when it comes to natural gas the supply demand problem is just the opposite.

Marketplace's Rob Schmitz was offered a rare glimpse into the world of Apple's usually secret supply chain. Here's the story of the people who help run Apple's Chinese producer, Foxconn.

The maker of the eponymous fruity chewy candy has a new ad campaign coming: They're going separate the Mikes from the Ikes and sell them that way.

Canada just recently announced plans to phase out the penny, and now it's looking to bring it back — in digital form.

Surprising news from the polling firm Gallup that young people in America are in fact concerned they are spending too much time in front of their phones and computers.

More than a year after the revolt that toppled Tunisia’s ruler, Zine al Abidine Ben Ali, discontent is rising because of poverty and unemployment.

New Orleans has long been a music Mecca, but it has surprisingly little infrastructure for the business side of the industry. To help fill this gap, two hip-hop entrepreneurs have been sharing the gospel of copyright and licensing with local musicians and producers.

Its new CEO says he will revive the electronics and entertainment company.

The stock market isn’t the only thing ailing Europe today:  the market for carbon credits. Prices have tanked for allowances to spew carbon. There’s a tsunami warning in effect across the Indian Ocean. Will today’s earthquake impact the countries there as harshly as past disasters? And Terry Branstad, the Republican governor of Iowa, weighs in on the “lean finely-textured beef” vs. “pink slime” debate.

The Apple assembly line has been shrouded in secrecy — until now. China correspondent Rob Schmitz brings a rare glimpse inside a Foxconn factory in Shenzhen. Meanwhile, the U.S. has filed an antitrust suit against Apple and some publishers over e-book pricing. Europe’s stock markets made up some lost ground today, but yesterday’s turmoil reminded investors that the eurozone debt crisis hasn’t gone away. Kai Ryssdal talks to a roundtable of small business owners about the Buffett Rule. And director Mike Nichols discusses his Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman.”  

Happy National Robotics Week! Today is Robot Block Party day, and it’s just part of a weeklong series of events in all 50 states put on by major universities and private businesses. The goal? Pretty much to show off how neat robots are. But it also for recruiting the next generation of roboticists. Also, a new app says it can guide you to the dreams you want to have.

Two small business owners discuss how the proposed Buffett Rule might impact them, if at all.

The National Association of Letter Carriers is planning nationwide demonstrations Thursday outside U.S. Senate offices. They are protesting "flawed" legislation they say would hurt the postal service even more than it's already been damaged by cost-cutting.

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Over 50 percent of a small village in northern Spain has voted in favor of a plan to allow marijuana to be grown there. The aim is to generate money for the village to help wipe out its debt. However it's still unclear if the idea will go ahead.

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U.S. stocks had their worst day of the year yesterday, in part because analysts say the European debt crisis is back after months of relative calm.

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Coming off Tuesday's worst showing for stocks this year — both in the U.S. and Europe — there is a new dawn today. Market players are showing a renewed appetite for risk, including stocks, at least so far on this Wednesday.

At an energy conference today, European Union members will be talking about how to shore up carbon markets as prices for carbon allowances fall.

An 8.6 magnitude earthquake centered nearly 300 miles off of Indonesia has people around the Indian Ocean as far away as East Africa moving to higher ground. An 8.2 aftershock three hours later prompted a second tsunami warning.

My wife and I just retired last June. She just turned 60 and I will turn 59 soon. We own our home and cars, we have no credit card debt and our savings (not including retirement accounts) is almost $100,000. Our kids both finished college without accruing debt (thank you very much!). As I completed our taxes this spring, the amount owed is almost $2,400. If we open an IRA for $8,000, the amount owed drops to under $1,200. Does it make sense for us, at this point in our lives, to invest in the IRA for the tax savings? Part of me says it is a no-brainer; the other part says that investing in an IRA when you are already retired doesn't pass the common sense test. What do you think? Mike, Blue Earth, MN

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There were several massive earthquakes off the coast of Indonesia today, triggering tsunami warnings across the Indian Ocean. Those warnings have been cancelled and no serious damage has been reported so far.

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"Death of a Salesman" is back on Broadway, this time starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Director Mike Nichols talks about the iconic play's economic resonance today.

There are tsunami watches and warnings around the Indian Ocean this morning after a magnitude 8.6 quake struck off the coast of Indonesia early today.

The National Consumer Law Center says it's the wild west for background-screening report companies that provide shoddy reports.