States, Cities Navigate Tax Changes and Filing Uncertainty

 

Phoenix, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed a tax conformity bill this week, leaving state income tax filings uncertain and raising the prospect that some early filers may need to refile; lawmakers continue to propose alternative packages. Atlanta lawmakers advanced bills lowering Georgia's income tax rate toward 4.99 percent. Dallas-area analysis...

Washington reports 130,000 jobs; revisions cut prior gains

 

Washington: U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent, the Labor Department reported Wednesday, signaling unexpected payroll strength. Major revisions reduced 2024–2025 job gains to about 181,000, lowering prior estimates substantially; health care led hiring while federal payrolls declined. Based on 6 articles...

State and local tax deadlines set for April 15, 2026

 

New York — State and local tax authorities set filing and payment deadlines for returns on April 15, 2026. Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington, D.C. aligned their 2026 individual income tax deadlines with the federal calendar. Taxpayers must file or request extensions by April 15; approved extensions generally extend...

Lottery revenues and large prizes drive recent payouts

 

United States. State lotteries reported transfers and jackpots, with state officials confirming revenue and prize claims. The Mississippi Lottery transferred $12,060,016.71 in January, bringing fiscal contributions to $78,654,982.31 and nearing an $80 million transportation cap; later proceeds will fund education. In Michigan, a Ludington three-person club claimed a $1 million...

National gas prices rise; regional pumps see increases

 

United States, Gas prices rose this week across multiple U.S. regions nationwide, according to GasBuddy reports. Peoria drivers saw averages climb to $2.94 per gallon, up nearly 10 cents over the prior week and about 13 cents from a month earlier. Illinois statewide averages reported $2.99 to $3.01 per gallon...

Jobless Claims Rise to 231,000 in Latest Week

 

Washington. The Labor Department reported Thursday that initial U.S. jobless claims rose by 22,000 to 231,000 for the week ending Jan. 31, the largest weekly increase in two months. The four-week moving average increased to 212,250. Economists surveyed by FactSet had forecast 211,000 claims. Officials and analysts view initial claims...

Regional Gas Prices Shift Across U.S. This Week

 

United States. Regional gasoline prices moved this week as local averages diverged: Tennessee rose to $2.54 per gallon while Arkansas held near $2.40. Green Bay fell to $2.50 and Peoria averaged $2.84; Florida reached $2.93 and Indiana dropped to $2.71. GasBuddy and AAA reported the national average near $2.83–$2.88, with...

US Eases Sanctions, Allows Oil Operations in Venezuela

 

Washington, The U.S. Treasury on Jan. 29 this week issued a general license allowing established U.S. entities to engage in specific transactions involving Venezuelan-origin oil, including lifting, exportation, refining and transportation. The authorization does not cover upstream crude production inside Venezuela and excludes dealings with entities linked to Russia, Iran,...

Trump to Announce Fed Replacement After Rate Criticism

 

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this week after the Fed voted 10-2 to hold its benchmark rate, urging that the central bank "substantially" lower rates and calling Powell a "moron" on Truth Social. Trump said higher rates raise government interest expense and tied...

States, Cities Advance Wide-Ranging Tax Proposals This Year

 

United States — Local and state governments proposed and advanced tax changes this week. Colorado’s Department of Revenue opened the 2025 income tax filing season on Tuesday, with an April 15 deadline and guidance for online filing. Los Angeles City Council directed drafting of hotel tax options and measures targeting...