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Taxes shape our behavior. Here's what to look for in the new bill

Dec 21, 2017
The Republican tax bill moves away from using the tax code as social engineering, though some behaviors are still incentivized.
The Capitol dome is seen as lawmakers continue to work towards tax legislation on Capitol Hill on Dec. 18, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Not everyone is going to get the same pass-through benefits from this tax bill

Dec 21, 2017
Two people doing the exact same job could be paying very different taxes by the end of the year.
“A construction worker who's in a favored industry might end up with a lower tax rate as an independent contractor instead of working for a construction company,” says Marketplace's Kimberly Adams.
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Some Republicans point to North Carolina's 2013 tax cuts as a model, but the state faces budget shortfalls

Dec 21, 2017
North Carolina drastically cut corporate and income taxes in 2013, similar to today’s GOP tax plan in Congress. Corporate and income tax cuts created more jobs in North Carolina. But revenue shortfalls loom.
A general view of Charlotte, North Carolina's skyline. 
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Corporate tax overhaul could mean a big windfall for banks

Dec 20, 2017
The Republican $1.5 trillion tax bill has been delayed because of procedural challenges from the Democrats. But when it does finally go through, one of the big winners will be banks. That’s because most of their business is here in the U.S., so they often pay higher taxes than other industries. A corporate tax rate […]

Corporate tax cuts could boost shareholders’ balance sheets

Dec 19, 2017
The corporate tax cuts included in the Republican tax bill — including a statutory corporate tax rate reduction to 21 percent from 35 percent, lower rates for pass-through businesses, elimination of the corporate alternative minimum tax and a tax holiday for repatriated profits — would deliver a windfall to many American companies. Those that are publicly […]

Tax changes could have big effect on housing

Dec 19, 2017
The tax advantages of home ownership would likely be available to wealthier taxpayers, and high tax regions would take the biggest hit.
A bicyclist rides by a row of homes in San Francisco, California.
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Commuters would lose an employee perk under the tax plan

Dec 19, 2017
Republicans on their way to the first big victory of the Trump administration keep talking about how many winners there are under their negotiated tax bill.  But the likely losers? Commuters, who have their parking, transit or bicycling subsidized by their companies. The new tax plan eliminates the incentive for private employers to continue offering […]

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Want to make a charitable contribution to your state?

Dec 18, 2017
Many people spend many dollars trying to get out of their tax bills by finding loopholes and workarounds. Well, it’s very likely that states are going to be doing the same thing in a year or two. The intent is to lower the burden on their own residents who can no longer deduct as many […]

Why the tax debate won't end this December

Dec 18, 2017
The tax bill is likely to pass Congress this week, but the debate over taxes will rage on.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks as Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and other congressional Republicans listen during a press event on tax reform September 27, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, DC.
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The GOP tax bill could be passed next week

Dec 15, 2017
Will Republicans be able to count this as a big win?
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) discusses progress on the tax reform bill with reporters at the U.S. Capitol today in Washington, D.C.
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