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09/27/2017: What we talk about when we talk about taxes
Sep 27, 2017

09/27/2017: What we talk about when we talk about taxes

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Congressional Republicans and the White House took the wraps off their plans for the tax code today. It's still pretty broad, but we'll start the show by working though some of the details we got today: doubling the standard deduction, how companies will use tax savings on profits they bring home and maybe most importantly, how party leaders are gonna sell this thing. Then, we'll take a look back to 1986, the last time the government got tax reform through. Plus: A conversation with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about his new book, immigration and — what else? — tax reform. 

Segments From this episode

CEO Satya Nadella on why he's hitting refresh at Microsoft

Sep 27, 2017
The "consummate insider" talks about the course change he's planned for the legacy tech company.
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft Corp., speaks at the Microsoft annual shareholders meeting in Bellevue, Washington, in 2016.
JASON REDMOND/AFP/Getty Images

Would companies use repatriated profits to invest?

Sep 27, 2017
After a one-time tax holiday in 2004 companies used repatriated funds to buy back their own stock or pay dividends to their shareholders.
(L to R) Jeff Bezos, chief executive officer of Amazon, Larry Page, chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc. (parent company of Google), Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, Vice President Mike Pence listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of technology executives at Trump Tower on December 2016 in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

2017 is no 1986 when it comes to tax reform

Sep 27, 2017
The ingredients used 30 years ago to rewrite the code don't exist today, including shared principles.
President Donald Trump speaks about tax reform at the Indiana Farm Bureau today in Indianapolis.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Why increasing the standard deduction is a big change now, and maybe later

Sep 27, 2017
A key component of the Republican tax plan is doubling the standard deduction for individuals. The standard deduction reduces the amount of income on which you pay taxes, so doubling it means folks who typically take the standard deduction could have lower taxable income. And it also could lead more people to take the standard […]

Tax cut for the rich or payday for the middle class? The battle to win the messaging war

Sep 27, 2017
Republicans, Democrats and lobbyists are choosing words carefully to sell their positions.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks to the press about tax reform in Washington, D.C., in August.
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Congressional Republicans and the White House took the wraps off their plans for the tax code today. It’s still pretty broad, but we’ll start the show by working though some of the details we got today: doubling the standard deduction, how companies will use tax savings on profits they bring home and maybe most importantly, how party leaders are gonna sell this thing. Then, we’ll take a look back to 1986, the last time the government got tax reform through. Plus: A conversation with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about his new book, immigration and — what else? — tax reform. 

Music from the episode

Guns Are Drawn The Roots, Son Little
Find a Way A Tribe Called Quest
Rich Girl Gwen Stefani, Eve