Slow economy hits state sales tax revenue

Oct. 7, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) -- State tax revenue rose slightly in the second quarter, but revenue from sales tax, fuel tax and property tax all dropped compared to a year ago, according to a report released Tuesday. The report warned that states and cities would be forced to cut spending as tax revenues dropped further....

Obama repeats tax-cut pledge

CHICAGO, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said Monday making the tax code fairer is a cornerstone of his economic recovery plan.

Britain could cut sales tax

LONDON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The British government is expected to unveil an economic stimulus package Monday consisting of a range tax cuts to jump start its economy, officials said.

China to reduce income tax

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Chinese government's head economist, Zhou Qiren, said Friday that the country's legislative body has agreed to tax reductions to stimulate the economy.

Canada wants taxes from online sales

OTTAWA, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Canada's federal tax department has ordered the Internet retail clearing house eBay to report who is selling what in order to seek back sales taxes.

State shortfalls rise during slowdown

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Budget shortfalls are looming larger in several U.S. states as the year draws to a close and revenues drop with the economic slowdown, officials said.

States still spending as economy slows

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. state and local governments haven't put the brakes on spending or hiring, in spite of the economic slowdown, a federal report said.

Schwarzenegger: Increase Calif. sales tax

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, struggling to close a growing budget gap, Thursday proposed increasing and extending the sales tax.

Democratic N.H. Gov. Lynch re-elected

CONCORD, N.H., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Democratic New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch won election to a third term, handily beating Republican state Sen. Joe Kenney and declaring victory.

Jobless man owes $400 million in taxes

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- New Jersey officials say a man who hasn't lived in the state since 2001 owes $400 million in taxes, despite not being able to buy dinner at McDonald's.

Iran postpones new sales tax

TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Iran said it would postpone implementation of a 3 percent sales tax after merchants in several cities shuttered stores in protest.

Palin tax returns prompt questions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The release of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's tax returns for 2006 and 2007 has prompted a round of questions among tax experts, The New York Times reported.

Pakistan suggests tax to finance pipelines

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A government committee in Islamabad welcomed provisions to impose a surcharge on gas consumers to generate funds for gas pipeline projects.

Execs: Guzzler tax won't hurt China sales

BEIJING, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- China's new sales tax on big cars to battle the nation's notoriously dirty air will not significantly reduce sales, an auto import trade-group executive says.

Tax preparer accused of skimming returns

CHICAGO, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge has been asked to bar a Chicago tax preparer from filing tax returns for others amid claims she skimmed customers' refunds, officials said.

Governor wants tax break for disabled vets

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The governor of Illinois has proposed eliminating property taxes for the 16,000 disabled veterans who live in his state.