Centennials are normally cause for celebration, a chance to applaud some thing or person standing the test of time. But not so for the income tax. Even the IRS is declining to mention that this year is the 100 year anniversary of the 16th Amendment of the Constitution, which authorized the tax.

When the new Phoenix Premium Outlets opened last week it was flooded with eager shoppers, but many of those shoppers were confused when they saw the taxes applied to their purchases.

Perhaps Rod Livdahl (letter of 3/20) should review his Econ 101 textbook before he presents his next lesson on the subject. “Trickle Down” and “Trickle Up” are not economic terms. They are political terms, coined by Liberals to mock and distort serious economic discussion. There is no authentic “Trickle Down” school of thought that proposed the enrichment of the wealthy by government action in order to allow some of that wealth to somehow dribble down to the masses. “Trickle Up” appears to be an advanced term invented by Mr. Livdahl.

Rebuffing the concerns of mayors from around the state about lost revenues, a Senate panel voted Wednesday to sharply revamp how sales taxes are assessed and collected.

Let’s Talk Tax Reform — reform that actually builds the American economy and creates new jobs.

An effort to broaden tax exemptions for religious organizations is facing bipartisan opposition in the Arizona House of Representatives.

If not revised, tax simplification bill would punish high-growth areas like Gilbert

PHOENIX – Gov. Jan Brewer’s plan to simplify Arizona’s sales tax system could undercut revenues for growing communities through changes in how construction materials are taxed, according to a report by the nonprofit Grand Canyon Institute.

WASHINGTON – Arizona could face massive budget cuts across all public programs, from education and healthcare to Army base operations, if federal budget cuts are allowed to take effect as scheduled Friday, the White House warned.

A series of mayors told lawmakers Monday that proposed changes in sales tax laws will mean financial ruin for their cities.

Hoping to lure more movies, TV shows and commercials, state lawmakers are moving to once again provide income tax credits for those who produce them in Arizona.

PHOENIX -- Gov. Jan Brewer formally proposed an extensive revamp of how Arizona collects sales taxes, drawing immediate fire from cities who fear major financial losses.

It’s that time again — tax time, that is — and Catholic Charities Community Services is seeking volunteers to help those in need with free tax preparation servics.

Social Security, when it began, wasn’t a bad idea. The problem is what it has morphed into. We should get back to the “safety-net” that it was intended to be in the first place. But any changes should be “fair” to everyone. SS is a good (not great) program for the poorer citizens, but it’s a lousy “investment vehicle” for the more affluent. We could start by freezing the “top” benefit payment, and only increase payments for those not yet at the maximum level, until everyone is receiving the current maximum benefit. At the same time we could slowly start decreasing payroll tax rates (at a revenue neutral rate) back down towards the 1% where SS started out at. This would increase everyone’s paycheck, raise benefits for those who need it, and after a couple of generations it would bring the SS program back to the safety-net that it was intended to be. And as for those currently receiving the maximum benefit, start by gradually lowering the tax rates on benefits until SS benefits are back to being tax-free, just like when it started out.

For the first time in recent memory, getting the state to cut taxes is not at the top of the legislative agenda for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Developers could soon lose a tax credit they now can get for donating land for public schools.

WASHINGTON — Efforts to save the nation from going over a year-end "fiscal cliff" were in disarray as lawmakers fled the Capitol for their Christmas break. "God only knows" how a deal can be reached now, House Speaker John Boehner declared.

Legislative budget analysts say the federal budgetary “fiscal cliff” may have a bright side for the state treasury, at least in the short term.

“Social Security and Medicare are NOT entitlements. I involuntarily paid via taxation into these programs for almost 50 years so that I may receive the benefits I do now. Entitlements are handouts such as food stamps, WIC, rent subsidies, and free medical care given to people simply because the have the good fortune of living in this country.”

Mesa United Way is looking for volunteers to help low-income East Valley residents prepare their 2012 tax returns. Volunteers will help individuals, families, seniors, people with disabilities and those with English as a second language prepare and file their income tax returns free of charge, said Don Jensen, program manager for Mesa United Way.

Raise taxes on the wealthy. Cut spending on the poor and middle class. The battle rages on.

A legislative panel voted this week to continue giving generous tax credits to those who help students attend private and parochial schools.

When did America start punishing financial success or inherited wealth? We don’t punish educational or sporting successes or achievements. We don’t punish people who are born good-looking or well-built do we? If a student studies hard and earns a good grade do we reduce that test grade to a lower grade and bring up a failing student?

The election is over, but now our country faces another big moment. Behind closed doors, some members of Congress are trying to arrange a “grand bargain”—and some are insisting on extending tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans while cutting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security benefits.