Economy

“Tax evasion by millionaires and billionaires tops $150 billion a year, says IRS chief”

“The nation’s millionaires and billionaires are evading more than $150 billion a year in taxes, adding to growing government deficits and creating a “lack of fairness” in the tax system, according to the head of the Internal Revenue Service…” https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/22/tax-evasion-by-wealthiest-americans-tops-150-billion-a-year-irs.html… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Americans making student loan payments have up to 36% less saved for retirement”

“…In fact, employees with student loan payments who earn $55,000 a year or more and have been at their company for five years or less have average 401(k) balances 36% lower than those without payments, the EBRI found…” https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/19/americans-making-student-loan-payments-have-up-to-36-percent-less-in-401ks.html College… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Retail sales tumbled 0.8% in January, much more than expected”

“…Advance retail sales declined 0.8% for the month following a downwardly revised 0.4% gain in December, according to the Census Bureau. A decrease had been expected: Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were looking for a drop of 0.3%, in part to… Continue Reading…

Economy

“The average tax refund is almost 29% lower this tax season, according to early IRS data”

“With tax season in full swing, the IRS has issued more than 2.6 million refunds worth about $3.65 billion, as of Feb. 2, the agency reported last week. So far, the average refund is $1,395, compared with $1,963 one year ago, which is… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Jamie Dimon believes U.S. debt is the ‘most predictable crisis’ in history—and experts say it could cost Americans their homes, spending power and national security”

“…Jamie Dimon says Washington is facing a global market “rebellion” because of the tab it is racking up, while Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan believes it’s time to stop admiring the problem and instead do something about it. Elsewhere The Black Swan author Nassim Taleb says the… Continue Reading…

Economy

“Credit card debt hits a ‘staggering’ $1.13 trillion…”

“Americans now owe a collective $1.13 trillion on their credit cards, according to a new report on household debt from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Credit card balances increased by $50 billion, or roughly 5%, in the fourth quarter of 2023,… Continue Reading…

Economy

“US Trade Deficit Narrowed Last Year by the Most Since 2009”

“The annual trade shortfall shrank nearly 19% to $773.4 billion from a record in 2022, Commerce Department data showed Wednesday. In December, the deficit in goods and services trade widened slightly from the prior month to $62.2 billion. The figures… Continue Reading…

Business

“Burger King owner will buy out its biggest franchisee in US for about $1 billion”

“The parent company of Burger King is buying out its biggest franchisee in the U.S. for about $1 billion and will renovate hundreds of its locations. Restaurant Brands International Inc. will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of… Continue Reading…

Economy

“$6 Trillion in Taxes Are at Stake in This Year’s Elections”

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/6-trillion-in-taxes-are-at-stake-in-this-years-elections-ee4353ed This article is behind a pay wall but let me guess. Republicans want tax cuts and Democrats don’t. As for the “powers that be” They see Donald Trump winning the election. “U.S. executives in Davos see a Trump victory… Continue Reading…

Economy

“From housing to energy to food, US inflation picks up…”

“…Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that overall prices rose 0.3% from November and 3.4% from 12 months earlier. Those gains exceeded the previous 0.1% monthly rise and the 3.1% annual inflation in November and were slightly above economists’… Continue Reading…