By The Numbers

The Numbers for Friday, October 18: Taxing Mealtime

Shea Huffman Oct 18, 2013
5%

The tax rate the Mexican government might implement on packaged food that contains 275 or more calories per 100 gram serving. Mexico hopes to curb the country’s growing obesity and diabetes rates. The proposed tax could be the broadest move to control diets in the world, but might ruffle feathers with big food companies in the country. Earlier this year, Mexico surpassed the United States for the title of fattest country in the world according to health research organizations. (The Wall Street Journal)

$1.3 million

The amount of lost revenue in payroll taxes the state of Connecticut estimates it lost, due to businesses classifying their employees as independent contractors to avoid insurance, taxes, fair wages and overtime. States across the country are cracking down on companies mislabeling workers to cut costs. Employees are sometimes forced with layoffs if they don’t file as independent contractors, and lose out on benefits like unemployment insurance. (Bloomberg)

$30

The cost of a day pass for work space at Oficio, a co-working company in Boston. Shared spaces offer workers an office remote from their actual employers, saving the inconvenience of a long commute. Within the next three years, it’s estimated that almost 40 percent of the global workforce will work remotely. (Marketplace)

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