So, it’s been a fun week on taxgirl.com. There’s been lots of commentary about Murphy v. IRS – both on and off the blog. I’ve appreciated your comments and emails. I thought, in light of the ongoing discussions, I’d make it my “Fix the Tax Code Friday” question. Here we go: Should any court awards…
Many of my husband’s clients are likely breathing a sigh of relief this morning. He represents a number of German corporations who pay tax rates which are much higher than their European cousins – and generally much higher than companies in the United States. In order to compete in an increasingly global market, Germany has…
That’s right, according to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania ranks 28th in State Individual Income Tax Collections for 2006. The state collected just over $9 billion in income tax, averaging $725 per capita. The top state for collections? Connecticut. The lowest? Tennessee, ranked 43rd. Wait… There are 50 states, right? Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas,…
I will admit to being more than a little biased about film making in Pennsylvania. I love movies. I love movie stars. And the thought of both in my home state? Sigh. And yes, maybe it has to do with the dreams that I secretly harbored of becoming a movie star after I was an…
On July 4th, my husband and I did what hardly any parents I know do anymore: we went to the movies. That’s right. We braved the holiday crowds to see a movie. We figured that the early morning show would be empty – we were wrong. This movie (tops at the box office right now)…
It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Our guest today is blogger William Perez, who serves as a guide at About.com: Tax Planning: US. 1. Where are you now? I live and work in San Francisco, California. But physical location is becoming increasingly irrelevant in my profession. Most of the work I do is performed using…
I enjoy commentary on my blog posts, especially when those who are adding to the discussion have something to say – you know, actually adding to the conversation. I also don’t mind being corrected when I’m wrong. I don’t claim to be the sole expert on all things tax (though that does have a nice…
Voting and paying taxes are still hand in hand. The IRS has admitted that it has collected information on the political party affiliations of taxpayers in 20 states while vowing that it has never used the information. This, of course, begs the question “why do it?” The states for which political party affiliation data were…
A federal appeals court ruled this week that awards for nonphysical injuries (emotional distress, for example) are taxable as income under the Constitution. That makes sense, right? It would – except that the same court ruled exactly the opposite about a year ago. Damages for personal injuries have been tax exempt for purposes of federal…
It’s just a few days until ask the taxgirl goes live! Be sure and tune in on Wednesday, July 11 at 3:00 p.m. (EST) to find the answers to your biggest questions. The topic is independent contractors. This includes a number of writers, bloggers, artists, freelancers, builders and service providers (architects, attorneys, accountants) – you…