Taxes

Anti-Tax Advocate Visits Legislature

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:37:50 +0000

The anti-tax advocate, Grover Norquist, visited state legislators today to praise their efforts to lower personal and corporate income taxes.

Lawmakers Outline Details Of Tax Reform Plan

Jessica Jones — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:36:30 +0000

Lawmakers in the state Senate have unveiled more details of their proposal to overhaul the state's tax code, though they haven't filed a bill yet. They propose lowering income tax rates significantly over the next three years. They also seek to lower the combined local and state sales tax to 6.5 percent.

Wake Up! Your Taxes Are Due Today

Leoneda Inge — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:39:11 +0000

It’s Tax Day and many people are hoping for tax refunds. But will they save it or spend it? The waiting room was full on Friday at the taxpayer assistance center at Northgate Mall in Durham. Tradell Adkins was there.

“Every year I try to say I’ll get it done around January, February, at the latest March. But it always ends up being in April," says Adkins.

House Wants To End Earned Income Tax Credit

Jessica Jones — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 13:00:00 +0000

State lawmakers have tentatively approved a measure that would end a popular tax credit for low and middle-income residents. House legislators passed the bill 75 to 41 yesterday.

It would allow the state's earned income tax credit to expire after this year as scheduled. Most low and middle-income families who qualify don't receive the maximum rebate of $294. But it's a popular policy, especially among families whose meager paychecks make it a struggle to save money.

Durham Is Pilot City For Tax Prep Initiative

Leoneda Inge — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 06:44:17 +0000

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is piloting a new tax preparation initiative in three US cities - and Durham is one of them. The new initiative is called “Ready, Set, Save.” And it’s targeted to households who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit – primarily moderate to low income households with children. Tiki Windley is a Program Manager at MDC in Durham.

Perspectives on the News

Dave DeWitt and Frank Stasio — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:36:56 +0000

A battle over changing the tax code is looming in Raleigh. Some Republicans want to eliminate personal and corporate income tax. Democrats and a key member of Governor McCrory's staff call the proposal a regressive tax on the middle class and poor.

Host Frank Stasio talks taxes and other stories with Chris Fitzsimon of North Carolina Policy Watch; and Mitch Kokai with the John Locke Foundation.

OBX Sees Record Number of Turtles AND Tourist Revenue

Will Michaels — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 15:57:46 +0000

Dare County brought in a record amount of occupancy taxes in 2012 while a record number of sea turtles nested on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Numbers from the Outer Banks Visitors' Bureau show Dare County collected $382 million in occupancy taxes through November of 2012 compared to $367 million during the same period the year before. The county levies the tax on hotels, motels and beach houses. At the same time, park rangers reported a record 222 sea turtle nests in 2012.

Orange, Durham To Start Collecting Transit Tax

Will Michaels — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Orange County Commissioners have given final approval to levy a half-cent sales tax for transit projects starting this Spring. Commissioners decided this week to collect the tax beginning on April 1. Voters in Orange County approved the tax on a ballot referendum in November. Durham residents did the same last year and will start paying the tax at the same time. Revenue goes toward a $1.4 billion plan from Triangle Transit Authority to expand bus services and build a light rail line from UNC Hospitals to downtown Durham.

NC US Senators Say Close Tax Loopholes

Jeff Tiberii — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:10:00 +0000

North Carolina’s two US Senators agree eliminating tax loopholes should be part of the equation as congress works to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

Orange County Voters Consider Sales Tax Increase For Transportation

Jessica Jones — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:10:00 +0000

Orange County voters will decide whether to support a tax increase for public transportation on Election Day. The measure is part of a regional plan to improve transit across the Triangle.

Voters in Orange County will choose whether to vote for a half-cent sales tax increase on November sixth. If they approve the measure, the tax would generate about five million dollars a year for new buses and improved service, an Amtrak station in Hillsborough and a proposed light rail connection from UNC to downtown Durham.