Category Archives: Legislation

Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act

Posted on February 19, 2007 by Russ

Three Senators have introduced the “Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act.” Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), and Barack Obama (D-IL) are targeting the 30+ offshore tax havens. Senators Levin and Coleman have led an investigation into these tax havens, … Continue reading →

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Middle Class Tax Relief? From the Democrats?

Posted on February 18, 2007 by Russ

The Wall Street Journal on Friday headlines a possible attempt by the Democrats to enact middle class tax relief ($ubscriber pay link). With the Democrats now in control of Congress, they have enacted rules that require all tax legislation to … Continue reading →

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Minimum Wage and Taxes

Posted on January 31, 2007 by Russ

Last night the Senate passed an increase in the Federal minimum wage. Attached to the bill are tax breaks for small businesses and tax hikes for big businesses. There are several issues here, so let’s take a look at what … Continue reading →

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Health Care for All…But at What Cost?

Posted on January 9, 2007 by Russ

The Governator announced his health care vision yesterday. You can find a good summary of it here. The plan would mandate that all Californians have health insurance, and the state would mandate what would and wouldn’t be covered. The plan … Continue reading →

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Hello, 2007

Posted on January 1, 2007 by Russ

Happy New Year, everyone. Hopefully this year will see at least one of the following: (a) no tax rate increase [1]; (b) simplification of the Tax Code [2]; (c) no mandatory California health care coverage for all [3]; and/or (d) … Continue reading →

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Cleaning Up the Tax Code?

Posted on December 7, 2006 by Russ

I really believe that I have lifetime employment. I just can’t see Congress implementing meaningful tax reform in my lifetime (as much as I’d like to see it). But every so often a ray of sunshine is seen. The Captain’s … Continue reading →

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The Election’s Impact on Taxes

Posted on November 8, 2006 by Russ

Come January, the Democrats will be in control of the House and likely the Senate for the first time in over a decade. What will that mean for taxes? First, forget estate tax reform. I can’t see it passing, unless … Continue reading →

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Technical Corrections Bill Introduced in Congress

Posted on October 11, 2006 by Russ

A bill to make “technical corrections” to recently enacted tax legislation was introduced in both the House and the Senate, according to this story from CCH. The bills, S. 4026 and H.R. 6264, should find their way to passage in … Continue reading →

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Grassley Unhappy About Options Mess

Posted on August 26, 2006 by Russ

Stock options have been in the news over the past few weeks, for all the wrong reasons. Many corporations have been accused of backdating the options. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), head of the Senate Finance Committee, isn’t happy about this. … Continue reading →

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Congress Fiddles…

Posted on August 5, 2006 by Russ

One day, sometime in the future, Congress will complete all their work on appropriation and tax measures before the August recess. But it won’t be this year (and it probably won’t be for many years). On Thursday the Senate failed … Continue reading →

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