Just a heads-up: Russell Crowe’s Robin Hood flick hits the screens in a couple of weeks. Expect weighty discussions throughout the blogosphere on the “Steal From the Rich, Give to the Poor” ethos and its implications for tax policy.
BizTaxBuzz certainly doesn’t intend to be the exception. After all, R.H. is one hugely intriguing semi-historical figure. more
With cost-conscious consumers dining out less, it’s perhaps no surprise that food containers — long a refuge for refrigerated leftovers — would remain in steady demand. However, just where those consumers today reside may surprise you.
“Our international footprint has certainly helped us,” says Michael Poteshman, CFO of Tupperware, who adds that while emerging markets were not isolated from the recession’s bite, Tupperware’s sales volumes have remained “very positive.” “We’ve had a pretty good run with organic growth … and about half of our business is in emerging market economies, which have really powered through the economic cycle.” more
An economic rebound is coming sooner rather than later, according to a survey of CFOs and CEOs at software firms released today by Intacct, the SaaS financial management software provider. You can get a copy of the survey here. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t take a survey of software company executives seriously (unless it was about software development, of course).
However, one particular finding suggests that they may be onto something: The survey reported that 90 percent of the companies have already begun to hire and are planning to increase headcount during the upcoming year. Software companies are notorious for being quick to fire, but if they are hiring, something must be going on.
But assuredly this isn’t the last word. A Towers Watson survey conducted in January 2010 found that 85 percent of the businesses surveyed plan modest hiring for new positions in 2010 (92 percent in the U.S.). However, over a third expect to make targeted workforce reductions (down from 58 percent in the U.S. since the financial crisis began). more
Earlier this week, I looked at an RSM McGladrey poll of manufacturers and distributors that showed how deeply nervous these firms are about the sunset of the Bush tax cuts. A possible rise in the dividend tax rate, though not as big a worry as the individual and capital gains outlook, is a concern for 71 percent of survey respondents (who work mostly for private companies and pass-through entities). And for good reason: It’s looking more and more likely that the dividend tax will end up being hitched to the individual income tax rates. more
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