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☆ China's Golden Week holiday signals persistent consumer caution
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Passengers line up to check in at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport on October 6, 2024 as China's week-long National Day holiday draws to a close. China News Service | China News Service | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's Golden Week holiday affirmed a trend in more cautious spending, while consumers put greater emphasis on experiences. The Golden Week holiday in China commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1. "The Golden Week consumption could still suggest a modest recovery versus August, in our view, due to trade-in subsidies (for appliances and autos) and consumption vouchers issued by the local governments," Peng said. During Golden Week, mainland China recorded 765 million domestic trips, up from both the prior year and before the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Trip.com, Kenneth Chow, Oliver Wyman, Chow, It's, Christine Peng, Peng Organizations: Chengdu Tianfu International, China News Service, Getty, BEIJING, China Film Administration, Consumers, CNBC, UBS, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Locations: Chengdu, China, People's Republic of China, Greater China, Japan, Thailand

The report comes as access to sensitive taxpayer information has sparked calls for investigations — and calls for reform on taxes for the wealthy. Littlejohn had applied to work as a contractor to get Trump’s tax returns and carefully figured out how to search and extract tax data to avoid triggering suspicions internally, prosecutors said in court documents. Werfel said that since the agency has received funding through Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, it has been able to markedly improve the security of sensitive information, including audit trail deficiencies. “Our data security and environment is dramatically better today than it was in 2017 to 2020 when this unauthorized access occurred," Werfel said. "And it’s dramatically better today because we now have the resources to make the right investments to strengthen our data security.

Persons: Daniel Werfel —, —, ”, “, TIGTA, Charles Edward Littlejohn of, Donald Trump, Littlejohn, Jason Smith, Werfel, Lindsay Whitehurst Organizations: WASHINGTON, IRS, Treasury, Associated Press, Charles Edward Littlejohn of Washington, Charles Edward Littlejohn of Washington , D.C, New York Times, Associated Locations: Charles Edward Littlejohn of Washington ,

The Direct File pilot program is rolling out in stages. The agency estimates that several hundred thousand taxpayers are eligible for the initial rollout in the 2024 tax season. Four other states that have a state income tax also are part of the pilot program — Arizona, Massachusetts, California and New York. In those four, state tax agencies will help people directly file their state taxes as well. “Direct File is one step toward getting the IRS in line with 21st century tax administration,” Olson said.

Persons: “, Danny Werfel, Nina Olson, ” Olson, Werfel, Tania Mercado, ” Robert Nassau, preparers, ” Organizations: WASHINGTON, IRS, Center for Taxpayer Rights, Organization for Economic Cooperation, Development, Republicans, Intuit, Low, Clinic, Syracuse University College of Law Locations: Florida , New Hampshire , Nevada , South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona , Massachusetts, California, New York, Germany, Japan

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement in principle with a group of creditors including India and Japan on debt restructuring, a crucial move toward unlocking a second instalment of a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt — more than half of it to foreign creditors. Political Cartoons View All 1270 ImagesSri Lanka needed financial assurances from its bilateral creditors in order to receive the second bailout installment. The ministry said the debt treatment terms will be further detailed and formalized in a memorandum of understanding between Sri Lanka and the creditor committee, which is co-chaired by India, Japan and France and includes 17 countries. ___This version corrects the name of the group in the agreement to the Official Creditor Committee, not Official Credit Committee.

Persons: Gotabaya Rajapaksa Organizations: International Monetary Fund, country's Finance Ministry, IMF, Sri, Sri Lanka’s IMF, Credit Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Sri Lanka’s, Sri, Lanka, France

☆ The IRS gave us a window into how much tech titans have dodged in taxes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Microsoft recently revealed that the IRS said it owes nearly $29 billion in back taxes. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe IRS says Microsoft owes nearly $29 billion in back taxes — and it might signal a greater spotlight on how much tech titans are paying in taxes. Since 2004, we have paid over $67 billion in taxes to the U.S."AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat it means for other tech giantsMicrosoft isn't alone . In the US, around $165 billion in profits were shifted, and the US saw a 16% loss in corporate tax revenue.

Persons: —, Daniel Goff, Natasha, Janet Yellen, Ludvig Wier, Gabriel Zucman, It's, it's Organizations: Microsoft, Service, IRS, titans, Yale Law School, Treasury Department, Danish Ministry of Finance, UC Berkeley Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S

☆ Fed officials are divided, but holding rates steady in September seems likely
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington, DC CNN —Federal Reserve officials meet next month to determine whether to raise interest rates for the 12th time to cool the economy or hold them steady. Some officials think the Fed has already raised its benchmark lending rate enough to curb inflation, but others think it’s too soon to tap the brakes. Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker echoed that sentiment in a speech last week, saying “I believe we may be at the point where we can be patient and hold rates steady.”Other Fed officials agree. “Inflation is still significantly above” the Fed’s 2% target, Fed governor Michelle Bowman said last week at an event in Atlanta. The Federal Reserve releases minutes from its July policymaking meeting as well as July figures on industrial production.

Persons: ” Rajeev Sharma, ”, Jerome Powell, Patrick Harker, “, Raphael Bostic, there’s, Michelle Bowman, ” Carol Schleif, ” Schleif, Katie Lobosco, Brinker Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, DC CNN — Federal Reserve, Key Private Bank, CNN, “, Fed, Financial, Philadelphia Fed, Atlanta Fed, BMO Family Office, Internal Revenue, Tax Administration, IRS, Kansas City Tax Processing, Fresno Tax Processing, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Depot, US Commerce Department, Target, Federal Reserve, Walmart Locations: Washington, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, Atlanta, Kansas, Fresno

☆ IRS cannot find millions of backup tax records, watchdog says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —The Internal Revenue Service cannot locate thousands of microfilm cartridges storing millions of sensitive business and individual tax account records, a new watchdog report found. The tax information could be used to commit tax refund fraud, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the office that conducted the report. During a site visit, the IRS was unable to locate any of the fiscal year 2010 microfilm cartridges that should have been sent to the Kansas City Tax Processing Center in 2022 after the Fresno Tax Processing Center closed. Separately, at the Ogden Tax Processing Center, IRS personnel were unaware of the current location of as many as 168 cartridges that had been sent out for reformatting, the report said. The IRS is also digitizing all paper-filed tax returns by 2025, which is expected to cut processing times in half and speed up refunds by four weeks, the agency said last week.

Persons: Ken Corbin, Biden Organizations: Washington CNN, Internal Revenue, Tax Administration, IRS, Kansas City Tax Processing, Fresno Tax Processing, Ogden Tax Processing Center, Democrats, Republicans Locations: Kansas, Fresno

☆ I.R.S. Halts Surprise Visits to Homes and Businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Alan Rappeport | More About Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The change comes as the I.R.S. embarks on a multibillion-dollar modernization project that aims to upgrade technology, ramp up enforcement of the tax code and improve customer service. “We are taking a fresh look at how the I.R.S. operates to better serve taxpayers and the nation, and making this change is a common-sense step,” Daniel Werfel, the I.R.S. “Changing this longstanding procedure will increase confidence in our tax administration work and improve overall safety for taxpayers and I.R.S.

Persons: ” Daniel Werfel Organizations: Internal Revenue Service

WASHINGTON, July 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said on Monday it was ending its policy of unannounced visits to taxpayers by agency revenue officers, reversing a decades-long practise to "reduce public confusion and enhance overall safety measures for taxpayers and employees." "Effective immediately, unannounced visits will end except in a few unique circumstances and will be replaced with mailed letters to schedule meetings," the IRS said in a statement. Werfel also noted the security concerns around these unannounced visits and said they created "extra anxiety" for taxpayers. In place of the unannounced visits, revenue officers will instead make contact with taxpayers through an appointment letter, and schedule a follow-up meeting, according to the new policy. Such situations number less than a few hundred each year – a small fraction compared to the tens of thousands of unannounced visits that typically occurred annually under the old policy, the IRS said.

Persons: Danny Werfel, Werfel, Kanishka Singh, Mark Potter Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, National Treasury Employees Union, IRS, Thomson Locations: summonses, Washington

☆ Taxpayers don’t have to worry about unannounced visits from the IRS anymore
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Tami Luhby | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

These visits will only continue in a few special circumstances, the agency said Monday. “Changing this long-standing procedure will increase confidence in our tax administration work and improve overall safety for taxpayers and IRS employees,” Danny Werfel, IRS commissioner, said in a statement. “These visits created extra anxiety for taxpayers already wary of potential scam artists,” Werfel said. “At the same time, the uncertainty around what IRS employees faced when visiting these homes created stress for them as well.”Typically, tens of thousands of unannounced visits take place each year. It will continue to focus on high-income taxpayers with tax issues, the agency said.

Persons: ” Tony Reardon, Biden, ” Danny Werfel, ” Werfel, “, ” Organizations: CNN, IRS, National Treasury Employees Union

☆ Tax prep companies shared private taxpayer data with Google and Meta for years, congressional probe finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Some of the tax-prep companies still do not know whether the data they shared continues to be held by the tech platforms, the report said. The Warren aide told CNN it was unclear whether Meta knew it was inappropriately using taxpayer data at the time. The investigation found that all three tax-prep companies had discontinued their use of Meta’s pixel after The Markup’s report last November. “The scope of ‘taxpayer information’ is broad by design,” Rosenthal said, adding that tax-prep companies can be sued for “knowingly” or “recklessly” leaking that information. Depending on the strength of the allegations, the tax-prep companies could quickly be forced into a binding settlement, said a former FTC official who requested anonymity in order to speak more freely.

Persons: “, ”, David Vladeck, Vladeck, Democratic Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Meta, Warren, ‘, Sens, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Katie Porter, TIGTA didn’t, Block, TaxSlayer didn’t, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, TurboTax, Steven Rosenthal, ” Rosenthal Organizations: CNN, Meta, Google, Georgetown University, Federal Trade Commission, Democratic, FTC, Internal Revenue Service, Justice Department, Tax Administration, Intuit, IRS, Urban, Brookings Tax Locations: United States, Google’s

☆ Google and Meta got customer data from tax prep firms, and lawmakers want a probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A group of lawmakers led by Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren are calling on the Biden administration to investigate how tax prep software companies may have illegally shared customer data with tech platforms Google and Meta . Some statements the tax prep companies provided to the publications at the time seemed to indicate the data sharing was done accidentally. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect." Among their findings released Wednesday, the lawmakers said that millions of taxpayers' information had been shared with Big Tech firms through the tax prep software and that both the tax prep companies and tech firms were "reckless" in how they handled sensitive information. Although Meta and Google both said they have filters to catch sensitive data that's inadvertently collected, they seemed to be "ineffective," the lawmakers wrote.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democratic Sen, Biden, General Merrick Garland, Lina Khan, Daniel Werfel, J, Russell George, TaxAct, Block, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Katie Porter, Warren, Meta Organizations: Capitol, Massachusetts Democratic, Google, Federal Trade, Tax, Facebook, Meta, CNBC, Big Tech, YouTube, Apple Locations: Washington ,, Sens, D

☆ 4 red flags for an IRS tax audit — including what one tax pro calls a 'dead giveaway'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While the IRS plans to hire more workers, including enforcement agents, experts say there's no need to worry — as long as you keep proper documentation. Still, certain red flags are more likely to trigger an IRS audit, experts say. "Round numbers are a dead giveaway," said Preeti Shah, a certified financial planner at Enlight Financial in Hamilton, New Jersey. Earned income tax creditThe IRS has also examined refundable credits, which can provide a refund even when the credit value exceeds taxes owed. While audits have declined overall, the drop has been lower for filers claiming the earned income tax credit, or EITC, targeted at low- to middle-income workers.

☆ IMF is bullish Sri Lanka's crisis-stricken economy will recover as country gets bailout
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

We expect a contraction around 8% in 2022, a 3% contraction this year before the economy picks up next year." watch nowAs a result, Sri Lanka's debt levels have become unsustainable and inflation remains elevated, he added. "There are plenty of examples of IMF programs restoring stability, though these often come at the cost of painful austerity." Analysts have also argued Sri Lanka needs institutional reforms in order to achieve long-term debt sustainability. Critical reforms"Ambitious revenue-based fiscal consolidation is necessary for restoring fiscal and debt sustainability" in Sri Lanka, said Kistalina Georgieva, IMF's managing director.

☆ IMF approves nearly $3 bln bailout for Sri Lanka
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 20 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday said its executive board approved a nearly $3 billion bailout for Sri Lanka, and the country's presidency said the program will enable it to access up to $7 billion in overall funding. The decision will allow an immediate disbursement of about $333 million, the IMF said, and will spur financial support from other partners, potentially helping Sri Lanka emerge from its worst financial crisis in over seven decades. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Sri Lanka also needs to undertake various reforms. "For Sri Lanka to overcome the crisis, swift and timely implementation of the EFF-supported program with strong ownership for the reforms is critical," Georgieva said in a statement. Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said in a statement that the IMF program will help improve the country's standing in international capital markets, making it attractive for investors and tourists.

☆ IRS commissioner nomination advances amid debate over $80 billion agency funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., speaks during a Senate Finance Committee nomination hearing on Feb. 23, 2021. Greg Nash | Pool | ReutersThe Senate Finance Committee this week voted to advance Daniel Werfel's nomination to become IRS commissioner amid fierce debate over the agency's $80 billion in funding. Following a confirmation hearing on Feb. 15, the bipartisan committee vote was the final step before a full Senate vote for confirmation. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Werfel's February testimony demonstrated he's a "rule follower" who will work with "both sides of the Committee." Oversight of IRS funding is a priority for RepublicansThe Senate Finance Committee vote comes amid continued scrutiny of the $80 billion in IRS funding allocated in August through the Inflation Reduction Act.

☆ IRS: Residents of more than a dozen states do not need to report 'special payments' for welfare, disaster relief on their federal return
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The IRS on Friday issued federal tax guidance for millions of Americans who received state rebates or payments in 2022. The announcement came about a week after the agency had urged those taxpayers to hold off on filing while it determined if the funds are taxable on federal returns. "The IRS has determined that in the interest of sound tax administration and other factors, taxpayers in many states will not need to report these payments on their 2022 tax returns," the agency said in a statement. The agency said taxpayers in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island won't need to report these payments on their federal tax returns. Taxpayers in Georgia, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Virginia may also skip federal tax reporting for some payments.

☆ Chinese savers stashed away $2.6 trillion last year but property crash will cool ‘revenge spending’
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Burberry (BBRYF) said last month that it’s seeing “very promising” signs in China, according to Reuters. Since real estate accounts for 70% of household wealth in China, “revenge spending” will be limited, analysts said. They expect household consumption growth to rebound to 9.5% in 2023 from about 3% in 2022, fueling annual GDP growth of more than 5%. Morgan Stanley analysts expect to see some “revenge spending” mostly from household with stable incomes. They’re expecting household consumption growth to rebound to 8.5% in 2023, contributing to full-year economic growth of 5.7%.

☆ India Budget 2023: Here's what the experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

"This budget, therefore, has rewritten the rules for financilisation of savings in India, which will induce expenditures rather incentivise savings. LAKSHMI IYER, CEO-INVESTMENT ADVISORY, KOTAK INVESTMENT ADVISORS LTD"India budget 2023 has offered a multi-dimensional view. The 3 Cs which stand out are - Capex increase - consumption boost - capital gains tax status quo. Additionally, the budget has provided significant direct tax benefits to individuals which will help increase disposable income and support spending. The budget keeps in mind the needs of future India while focusing on Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.

☆ U.S. Treasury emphasizes IRS customer service as tax seasons begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The new hires will help to slash call waiting times and shorten the processing time for paper tax returns and documents as part of a first stage that will be followed later by the ramping up of auditing of tax returns to curb evasion, according to Treasury officials. U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told reporters that the 5,000 new customer service hires will be fully trained by Feb. 20, when call volume from taxpayers typically increases. FUNDING FIGHTThe improvements coincide with preparations by the Treasury and IRS to unveil a 10-year spending plan for the $80 billion in IRS funding six months after the IRA was enacted. Democrats passed the funding to reverse a more than decade-long slide in IRS funding that has reduced its staffing and audit levels. The bulk of the new hires will replace retiring employees and increase customer service and information technology staffing, but the claims are perpetuated on social media and in statements to the media.

☆ As tax season starts, U.S. Treasury emphasizes IRS customer service over audits
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Internal Revenue Service kicks off the 2023 income tax filing season on Monday armed with 5,000 new customer service representatives to slash call waiting times as the Biden administration implements $80 billion in new IRS funding. The new hires and technology improvements to more efficiently process paper tax returns and documents represent an early emphasis on improving services, according to U.S. Treasury officials. FUNDING FIGHTThe improvements come as the Treasury and IRS are preparing to unveil a 10-year spending plan for the $80 billion in IRS funding, six months after the IRA was enacted. "In just five months since the IRA’s passage, we've made meaningful progress to deliver the service American taxpayers deserve." Democrats passed the funding to reverse a more than decade-long slide in IRS funding that has reduced its staffing and audit levels.

☆ Treasury Proposal Lays Out Who Would Have Access to New Ownership Database
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Dylan Tokar | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

The latest rule lays out who will be able to use the information and how they can access its contents. The Treasury in its proposal said it would keep tight controls on information in the nonpublic registry, limiting access mostly to U.S. law enforcement and regulators. Any department employee whose duties require it will be able to access the database, including for tax administration purposes, according to the proposal. Federal agencies engaged in national security, intelligence and law enforcement also will have direct access to the database. Foreign government representatives, including law enforcement agencies in other countries, will be able to request information from the database through U.S. counterparts, according to the proposal.

Extreme backwardation implied traders expected the balance to remain tight, with a further drawdown of already depleted inventories, and more upward pressure on oil prices. In late November, after consultations with traders, the U.S. Treasury published regulations signalling a relatively relaxed approach to enforcement (“Guidance on implementation of price cap policy”, OFAC, Nov. 22). Following last-minute discussions, on Dec. 2 the cap was set at $60, with a commitment to review it by mid- January 2023 and every two months thereafter (“G7 agrees oil price cap”, European Commission, Dec. 3). SETTING THE PRICE CAP LEVELIn setting a price cap for Russia’s crude and products, U.S. and EU officials have been confronted by a menu of policy options and other considerations. Related columns:- Investors dumped Brent in anticipation of relaxed oil price cap (Reuters, Dec. 5)- Global recession a bigger risk to Russia’s oil revenue than price cap (Reuters, Nov. 11)- Recession would make tough oil sanctions on Russia more likely (Reuters, July 14)- Oil market confronts U.S. and EU policymakers with unpalatable choices (Reuters, June 29)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

☆ IRS Audits That Included Comey, McCabe Were Random Selections, Report Finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Richard Rubin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Former FBI leaders have questioned whether they were chosen on purpose for audits by the Internal Revenue Service. WASHINGTON—IRS research audits in 2017 and 2019—the years that FBI leaders James Comey and Andrew McCabe were selected for those intensive exams—were random, according to an inspector general’s report released Thursday. The report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found no misconduct or evidence that the Internal Revenue Service’s National Research Program was manipulated to ensure that specific taxpayers would be chosen. Messrs. Comey and McCabe were both fired under then President Donald Trump and have questioned whether they were chosen on purpose.

☆ IRS erred on child tax credit payments for millions of eligible families – but aid was 98% accurate overall, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The IRS skipped about $3.7 billion in advance child tax credit payments for 4.1 million eligible households, but sent more than $1.1 billion to 1.5 million filers who didn't qualify in 2021, according to an audit released Tuesday by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. However, the agency accurately issued 98% of the aid, the report found, based on a review of 178.9 million total payments made between July and November 2021. More from Personal Finance:Why some have yet to access funds from expanded child tax creditMedicare standard Part B premiums will drop to $164.90 next year8 million student loan borrowers will get automatic forgivenessDescribed as a "significant undertaking" by TIGTA, the monthly payments began in July 2021, four months after being enacted through the American Rescue Plan Act in March. In an official response to the report, the IRS said it took corrective action in 2021 to block future payments to ineligible taxpayers and issued funds to millions of taxpayers who were erroneously excluded.

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