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If your student loans were forgiven last year, what does that mean for your tax bill?

Feb 15, 2024
Due to a temporary change in the law, student loan forgiveness is not considered federally taxable income. State tax laws vary, though.
Anyone who received forgiveness in 2023 or gets it in the next two years doesn’t have to worry about federal taxes.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Georgia recognizes embryos as dependents, for a $3,000 state income tax deduction

Sep 27, 2022
Critics say the new deduction opens the door to state scrutiny of a woman's health status.
Under Georgia state law, embryos can be claimed as a dependents on state income taxes as soon as ultrasounds detect cardiac activity.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

As state unemployment trust funds empty, employers face soaring taxes

Mar 24, 2021
States are scrambling to raise money — and changing their unemployment systems in other ways.
Owner Chris Knudson at Well 80 Brewhouse in Olympia, Washington. Knudson just started broadcasting Well 80’s weekly Tuesday Trivia Night live on the brewpub’s big-screen TVs for in-person diners, after holding the event virtually via Zoom for the past year during the pandemic.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace

When businesses aren't making money, local governments aren't making money.

Apr 14, 2020
Cities and states will have to rethink their budgets because of tax revenue loss.
In some places in Ohio, income tax makes up almost 75% of the revenue. Above, a closed bar in Columbus, Ohio, on March 15.
Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

How state treasuries have fared since Supreme Court ruling on online sales tax

Jun 21, 2019
Most online sales were exempt — until the justices said they weren't.
Packages rush by on a conveyor belt at a FedEx sort facility in Oakland, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

State tax revenue takes a hit from SALT cap

Feb 5, 2019
The 2017 tax reform law put a cap on how much state and local taxes Americans can deduct on their federal tax returns. Now states are beginning to feel the pinch of reduced tax revenue because many people are moving away from high-tax jurisdictions. The situation is so bad in the northeast where tax rates […]
Governor of New York State Andrew Cuomo speaks on stage at the HELP USA 30th Anniversary Event at The Plaza Hotel on March 16, 2017 in New York City.
Monica Schipper/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks on tax reform as Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and other congressional Republicans listen during a press event in 2017 at the Capitol.
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States and cities that raise tolls and taxes may get a leg up for federal infrastructure money

Apr 27, 2018
What’s that old saying? You’ve got to spend money to make money? The U.S. Department of Transportation is trying a variant on that when it comes to funding road and bridge improvements. It’s tripled the amount of money in what’s known as the BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program to $1.5 billion. But part of the criteria for state […]

With the tax bill signed, a fight with hard-hit states begins

Jan 10, 2018
California and New Jersey are exploring the use of charitable contributions to offset taxes.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images