taxes

Has the Anti-Tax ‘Pledge’ Lost Its Edge?

Posted on 11/27/2012 by | Washington Watch | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsFor a middle-aged policy wonk, Grover Norquist sure provokes some powerful emotions: fear, loathing, reverence. Norquist is the president of Americans for Tax Reform, a conservative nonprofit that advocates lower taxes and smaller government. It’s famous for getting legions of politicians to sign a pledge against raising taxes. But as Congress and the White House struggle with how to deal with a debt load that threatens to cripple the economy, some of the Republicans who have stood staunchly with Norquist …

Why It Matters: Some Key Issues at Stake in the 2012 Election

Posted on 10/24/2012 by | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy The Associated Press Here’s a look at some key issues at stake in the 2012 presidential election and their impact on people: Civil rights: What, exactly, is discrimination and what should be done to fight it? This election offers choices on the answer. In areas such as mortgages, voter identification and immigration enforcement, the presidential candidates differ over how to use laws that guarantee equality and how far the Justice Department’s civil rights division should go to ensure all …

Today’s Retirees First to Pay More Into Social Security Than They’ll Get Back

Posted on 08/6/2012 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsFor a person retiring in 1960, Social Security presented a pretty great deal: Pay in during your working years and you could expect to get back about seven times more in benefits during retirement. But today’s retirees won’t reap nearly the same return on investment. In fact, they’re part of the first generation of workers who have paid more in Social Security taxes than they will receive in benefits.

A Positive Return on Vacationing through Volunteering

Posted on 06/7/2012 by | Volunteering | Comments

VolunteeringMarcy Gouge loves helping people. In fact, Marcy, the Assistant National Director for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, also finds herself volunteering for the program throughout Maryland and DC. But this past year, she decided to take her volunteer work “on the road” while vacationing in Hawaii. As a tourist, it is easy to only see the “bling” of the high-cost resorts, but just a few blocks from Marcy’s hotel on Waikiki Beach, was a Community Center for low-income workers. There, she served with local Tax-Aide volunteers who …

The Takeaway: Congress Talks Trimming Tax Breaks for Retirement Savers

Posted on 04/18/2012 by | Brooklyn, NY | Comments

News RoundupsTough on Tax Breaks? Members of Congress gathered Tuesday to begin considering changes to the U.S. tax code. Great, right? Everyone agrees the American tax code is absurdly complicated and could use some reforming. Unfortunately, that’s where the agreement tends to end. Overhauling the tax code—which could begin as soon as next year—is bound to bring difficult trade-offs. Just consider one of the first area lawmakers are targeting: Tax breaks on retirement savings.

10 Weeks of Service: The Life of a Tax-Aide Volunteer

Posted on 04/3/2012 by | Volunteering | Comments

VolunteeringThis is a guest post by Jo Ann Jenkins. Jenkins is the president of AARP Foundation. She provides leadership across the Foundation areas of development, litigation, and impact program areas. HELP WANTED:  Looking for someone to prepare individual state and federal tax returns. At least one week of training–and homework — required, along with passing three progressively difficult IRS test levels plus an IRS ethics test and any state-required exams. Must be flexible yet willing to work up to 40+ hours a …

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