BRUSSELS — As European policymakers look toward significant tax framework shifts slated for 2026, the continent’s complex, fragmented, and often contradictory system of alcohol taxation is facing renewed scrutiny. For decades, excise duties on beer, wine, and spirits have served as a dual-purpose fiscal instrument: a mechanism to generate reliable state revenue and a blunt…
By Travel & Consumer Finance Desk Published: October 2023 Main Facts: The High Cost of Modern Travel Meets the Rewards Revolution For millions of families, the modern vacation equation is plagued by a frustrating paradox: the synchronized alignment of paid time off (PTO), school breaks, and pet care logistics often culminates in a heartbreaking collision…
WASHINGTON — The week began with a modest measure of stability in the housing finance sector, offering a brief respite from the volatile pricing swings that have defined the late-summer market. However, that stability offers little comfort to prospective home buyers and homeowners looking to refinance, as benchmark borrowing costs remain firmly entrenched north of…
WASHINGTON — As lawmakers grapple with looming insolvency dates and structural deficits in America’s entitlement programs, the debate over how to reform Social Security and Medicare has grown increasingly contentious. In a recent high-profile editorial package, The Washington Post editorial board spotlighted a striking figure: 37 percent of Social Security benefits flow to senior households…
WASHINGTON — When a government levies a tariff on imported goods, the question of who ultimately foots the bill has long sparked intense debate among economists, policymakers, and business leaders. While legally collected from the domestic importer of record, economic theory suggests that the financial burden can be divided between domestic buyers and foreign exporters….
WASHINGTON — As annual federal budget deficits rapidly approach the $2-trillion-per-year mark, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are increasingly eyeing the federal tax code to generate essential revenue, stabilize the national debt, and fund core government programs. Amid this fiscal pressure, the Tax Foundation has released a comprehensive new resource, Options for Reforming…
Travelers looking to fly to Tokyo in style just gained a major new redemption pathway. As of September 20, 2026, Citi ThankYou® points can be officially transferred to the Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank program. This addition marks a significant milestone in the credit card rewards ecosystem, cementing JAL’s transition from an elusive loyalty program…
Main Facts A decade has passed since the release of the "Better Way" tax blueprint, a foundational legislative framework orchestrated by then-Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady. This comprehensive policy document laid the groundwork for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017—the most sweeping overhaul of…
WASHINGTON — In the rapidly evolving landscape of state taxation, Utah, Maryland, and Illinois have long stood out as pioneers—or, depending on who you ask, outliers. Geographically, culturally, and economically diverse, these three states shared a distinct policy distinction: they were the first jurisdictions in the nation to enact targeted taxes on digital advertising. However,…
WASHINGTON — In recent months, financial news cycles have been dominated by a striking narrative: American workers are losing their grip on the national economic pie. Citing headline-grabbing series from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), economic commentators and journalists have pointed to a relentless, decades-long decline in the labor share of income. According to…
