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Why the IRS has received 2 million fewer tax returns this year

Mar 13, 2019
Word of smaller refunds may have had a chilling effect on filing.
People are afraid to file their taxes — and accountants are moving slower.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

About those tax cuts that are supposed to pay for themselves

Oct 18, 2018
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the budget deficit, which, at last count, is up 17 percent over last year. That’s what happens when the government spends $779 billion more than it collects in revenue, also known as taxes. Seems we’re paying the price for one of the biggest tax cuts in history, […]
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell listens during a news briefing after a weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon Oct. 10, 2018. McConnell blames the budget deficit on social security and Medicare.  
Alex Wong/Getty Images

About those tax cuts that are supposed to pay for themselves

Oct 18, 2018
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the budget deficit, which, at last count, is up 17 percent over last year. That’s what happens when the government spends $779 billion more than it collects in revenue, also known as taxes. Seems we’re paying the price for one of the biggest tax cuts in history, […]
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell listens during a news briefing after a weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon Oct. 10, 2018. McConnell blames the budget deficit on social security and Medicare.  
Alex Wong/Getty Images

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

How much U.S. debt is too much?

Oct 16, 2018
Balancing the federal budget is a bigger deal for politicians than economists.
The United States could simply make more money to pay its bills, said Stephanie Kelton, an economics professor at Stony Brook University. But taken to an extreme, that could lead to higher inflation.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Bank earnings are way, waaay up. Here’s why.

Oct 16, 2018
Quarterly earnings reports out this week from the major banks including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America show very, very strong gains. Many companies are benefiting from the changed tax code, but banks are a special case. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

For public good, not for profit.

Bank earnings are way, waaay up. Here’s why.

Oct 16, 2018
Quarterly earnings reports out this week from the major banks including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America show very, very strong gains. Many companies are benefiting from the changed tax code, but banks are a special case. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Federal deficit rises to six-year high following last year's tax cut

Oct 16, 2018
The U.S. government is spending more and taking in less. The Treasury Department reported on Monday that the federal deficit has increased this past budget year to $779 billion, the largest deficit since 2012. The biggest culprit is last year’s Republican-backed tax overhaul, which cut tax rates for businesses and individuals. The tax law likely […]

Federal deficit rises to six-year high following last year's tax cut

Oct 16, 2018
The U.S. government is spending more and taking in less. The Treasury Department reported on Monday that the federal deficit has increased this past budget year to $779 billion, the largest deficit since 2012. The biggest culprit is last year’s Republican-backed tax overhaul, which cut tax rates for businesses and individuals. The tax law likely […]