News

Can countries lower taxes and raise revenues?

Source: economist.com - Jun 20, 2019

RARELY has a dinner-table scribbling created such a legacy. In 1974 Arthur Laffer, an economist, sketched a simple diagram on the back of a napkin to illustrate a truism of tax policy. Set... Read more >

Category: General Business

When Is Your State's Tax Free Weekend in 2019?

Source: dealnews.com - Jun 19, 2019

Several states are having tax holidays this summer. See if yours made the cut! Every year, multiple states host tax free weekends that coincide with the back-to-school season. These tax holidays... Read more >

Category: General Business

Tax Breaks for Seniors and Retirees Older Taxpayers May Qualify for a Few Tax Breaks

Source: thebalance.com - Jun 19, 2019

Growing older isn’t something most people look forward to. Sure, the idea of not having to go to work every day is appealing, but living on a fixed income has its drawbacks. The Internal Revenue... Read more >

Category: General Business

College tax credits and tax breaks every student should know

Source: creditkarma.com - Jun 19, 2019

College is getting even more expensive, public financial aid isn’t keeping pace, and parents and students continue to look for ways to offset the costs of college. One solution may lie in your... Read more >

Category: General Business

How to file a loved one’s taxes after they’ve passed away

Source: marketwatch.com - Jun 18, 2019

A loved one who was “financially comfortable” has passed away. What happens now tax-wise? Good question, especially if you’re the one responsible for taking care of such matters. This column... Read more >

Category: General Business

Jeff Bezos says the true secret to business success is to focus on the things that won’t change, not the things that will

Source: theladders.com - Jun 18, 2019

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is constantly asked to predict what the future will be like in 10 years — and he’s game to shrug and try — but he said that’s exactly the wrong way to go about... Read more >

Category: General Business

This tax savings strategy for massive IRAs could be on the way out

Source: cnbc.com - Jun 18, 2019

Legislation that will help workers save for retirement could also have a chilling effect on a strategy to pass individual retirement accounts on to heirs. The bill, known as the Secure Act, sailed... Read more >

Category: General Business

What You Need to Know About Capital-Gains Taxes (but Probably Don’t)

Source: wsj.com - Jun 17, 2019

By tax-law standards, the rules on capital-gains taxes may appear fairly straightforward, especially for taxpayers who qualify for a zero-percent rate. But many other taxpayers, especially... Read more >

Category: General Business

Oil exports are on the rise in Louisiana

Source: wbrz.com - Jun 17, 2019

LAFOURCHE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is becoming a major world source of exported crude oil. The New Orleans Advocate reports the port, or LOOP, has more than doubled the number... Read more >

Category: General Business

Mississippi sales tax holiday: When is it? What are the rules?

Source: clarionledger.com - Jun 17, 2019

Mississippi residents, mark your calendars for the Sales Tax Holiday. For one day in July, shoppers in Mississippi won't have to pay sales tax on their purchases. When is Mississippi's sales tax... Read more >

Category: General Business

The Best Employees Have These '31 Flavors'

Source: entrepreneur.com - Jun 14, 2019

Having good employees will make or break a company’s success. I have previously written about how best to read resumes and screen employee candidates, but that is before they are actually working... Read more >

Category: General Business

3 reasons to retire as early as you can

Source: usatoday.com - Jun 14, 2019

The early bird gets the worm – advice that might seem pointless to early retirees (unless they plan to go fishing). But they do get more time to enjoy hobbies, travel, or any other activity they... Read more >

Category: General Business

Louisiana Ranked “#1 Best State In America” In Scientific Study

Source: 107jamz.com - Jun 14, 2019

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m getting pretty tired of sites like WalletHub putting out list after list ranking Louisiana as the worst state in pretty much every category they’ve... Read more >

Category: General Business

For taxpayers living, working outside the U.S., file a return by June 17

Source: irs.gov - Jun 13, 2019

IR-2019-102, June 5, 2019 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers living and working outside of the United States that they must file their 2018 federal income tax... Read more >

Category: General Business

IRS offers preview of withholding guidance for employers

Source: accountingtoday.com - Jun 13, 2019

The Internal Revenue Service posted a special early draft of its publication on federal income tax withholding to give employers an advance look at the changes in the new Form W-4 that is being... Read more >

Category: General Business