Maybe the IRS would be less political if it were less powerful

By   /  May 17, 2013  /  Tax Reform, Taxes, WatchBlog  /  1 Comment

IF YOU GET TOO COLD, THEY'LL TAX THE HEAT: Wouldn't it be nice if the IRS was unable to be used as a political weapon by either side?

By Eric Boehm | Watchdog.org
HARRISBURG – As the IRS scandal continues to slowly unfold in Washington, one key point has been missed in much of the analysis about how and why the agency would target certain groups for added levels of harassment based on political leanings.
If the IRS did not have so much power and [...]

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For a fee: Measure aims to protect WI taxpayers

By   /  May 16, 2013  /  Accountability, Featured, Legislature, Local Government, News, Property Taxes, Tax Reform, Taxes, Taxes versus Fees, Wisconsin  /  1 Comment

A measure put into Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget prohibits municipalities from charging fees for services previously financed with property taxes, unless there is a corresponding property tax cut.

It may be back to the drawing board for Wisconsin officials who want to exceed their local spending authority.

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Paul Ryan talks immigration reform, taxation at Janesville town hall

By   /  April 29, 2013  /  Featured, Federal Government, Immigration, News, Politics, Tax Reform, U.S. House of Represenatives, Wisconsin  /  15 Comments

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, holds a town hall listening session in his hometown Monday afternoon.

UPDATED VERSION: 10:58 a.m. Clarifies the Marketplace Fairness Act does not implement a new tax.
By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter
JANESVILLE – While moviegoers may flock to the latest installment of the “Iron Man” franchise or the obligatory Will Smith flick this summer, Rep. Paul Ryan on Monday gave a preview of the legislative blockbusters coming [...]

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Nebraska’s Chambers tries unique move to repeal sales tax option

By   /  April 5, 2013  /  Featured, Nebraska, News, Tax Reform, Taxes  /  8 Comments

Bethany Schmidt/Nebraska Watchdog

By Deena Winter | Nebraska Watchdog

LINCOLN – State Sen. Ernie Chambers made an unorthodox, and ultimately unsuccessful, move to try to pull out of committee his bill repealing a law passed last year that allows cities to increase sales tax rates up to a half-cent.

Chambers made a “pull motion” on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature to get his bill out of committee, but his motion didn’t come to a vote before the hour he was allotted ended.

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Big-box retailers battle Internet sales tax system

By   /  March 26, 2013  /  Featured, News, Tax Reform, Taxes, Wisconsin  /  2 Comments

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By Ryan Ekvall | Wisconsin Reporter
MADISON – Woe is Walmart.
Everybody’s neighborhood big-box retailer sees itself  as a victim of technological innovation and an inequitable tax system that plays favorites – at least online.
With scary Internet competitors such as eBay and madeinwisconsin.com, Walmart just can’t get a fair shake – that is, according to the mammoth [...]

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