Sylvia Porter Warns on Itemized Deductions and Tax Tables
Sylvia Porter outlines how claiming deductions beyond average in your income bracket may increase audit risk. She explains adding local sales taxes, car or boat taxes, home and building materials taxes, and notes average deductions by income level for medical, taxes, contributions, and interest.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Vermont
West Virginia
District of Columbia
Odds on audit vary with income and deductions
The text lays out deduction averages by income bands for medical, taxes, contributions and interest, then cites audit odds. Individuals with non business income under 50k face 2.5 percent odds, under 10k itemized 4.3 percent, under 10k standard 0.7 percent, business under 10k 2.9 percent, business 10k to 450k 2.1 percent, and business 30k and over 7.9 percent.
Cost concerns killed an active PA penalties bill
Near the end of the Pennsylvania General Assembly session a popular bill to set minimum jail terms for crimes involving weapons was defeated after estimates showed it would overflow penal institutions and demand a costly prison program. The episode illustrates how economic factors should guide legislation beyond criminal law, urging lawmakers to weigh costs before advancing bills that local governments must fund.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pennsylvania General Assembly
James W. Guest
Department of Community Affairs
State House
Senate
Pocket size alert systems aid elderly at home
A small pocket electronic alert device lets an elderly person summon help by pressing a button. Hospitals and communities test home care programs to keep seniors in their homes, reducing nursing home stays and costs. Programs in Albuquerque Los Angeles and New York use house calls and medical meals to support aging in place.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Albuquerque
New York City
St. Vincent’s Hospital
United Hospital Fund
Los Angeles County University of Southern California
Minneapolis
Baltimore
Taxpayers Fund Book By Anderson Draws Ethic Fire
Senate subcommittee probes 250 advisory units advising on energy policy. James Smith, paid $37 000 as a public employee, collaborated on a book while employed, and held a stake in a public relations firm connected to his reelection. Critics warn of kickback risks and ethics code gaps as advisers from energy firms dominate, with Exxon and Consolidated Edison heavily represented. Estimated annual cost to taxpayers tops $20 million.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Smith
Rhodes
Smith and
Six American Families frames 1980s PBS documentary series
Public TV launches a six part series chronicling six diverse families across the nation. Producer Paul Wilkes notes the project aims to document everyday life without bias as participants consent to filming, with access limited by participants’ comfort levels.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Los Angeles
Public TV
William Loud
Santa Barbara
Calif
Public Broadcasting Service
Paul Wilkes
America
Wilkes
Chicago
MI Valley
PBS
San Francisco
Boston
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Baltimore
Group W'chain
United Church of Christ
The
United Methodist Church
Travelers Insurance Companies
Cleveland
New Jersey
W Troops
Bucks
Church
Eliie
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sylvia Porter
Thave
CTA
Fang
Paul Harvey
Alexander McMahon
American Hospital Association
Corey
Pa Naar Publier Willary &, Baton
Jatin McLaughlin
Preskceorn
Corry
Mall
Malin
Cer
A.m
Ene
Florida
Wileemas
Sser Notlesti Andraders
Hogar Yas
Wore
Adarsh
Asien
Cerry
Bevniog Jura
eAthena
Pet Poe
Thani
Alstadraas
Nat Carey
Otha Vane Wil Rat
Washington
House
John Rhodes
Thomas P. O'Neill Jr
Tip O'Neill
O’neill
Massachusetts
J. Brian Smith
By Jack Anderson
Grossman
Rhotes
White House
Subcommittee
Federal Power Commission
National Gas Survey
Ainimum
Exxon
Consolidated Edison
Carry Area
Penndot
Vivian Thar
Urami Capitol
Baling Warriahory Rit Hose