Taxes

The Latest on the Republican tax overhaul (all times local): 11:56 a.m.

U.S. stocks edged higher in early trading Wednesday ahead of an expected interest rate hike from the Federal Reserve.

A Republican tax package swiftly taking shape would pull down the top tax rate for wealthy Americans to 37 percent and slash the tax rate for corporations to a level slightly above what businesses and conservatives wanted.

Some small business owners may pay lower taxes under the Republican tax overhaul, but accountants and consultants will want to read the fine print carefully — once the details are finally settled.

The Republican tax plan will deliver a swift adrenaline shot to the economy that will send hundreds of billions pouring into federal tax coffers, the Trump administration asserts in a new analysis.

___ Tax package would ease hit to residents of high-tax states WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans are speeding toward an agreement on a massive tax package that would ease the hit on residents of high-tax states and appease corporations that could have lost precious tax breaks.

If the House Republican tax bill became law, victims of hurricanes in Texas and Florida who've yet to account for all their losses could deduct them on their 2018 taxes.

The Latest on the Republican tax overhaul (all times local): 12 p.m. House and Senate negotiators are rushing to finalize the Republican tax legislation for a vote next week, to deliver the promised measure to President Donald Trump before Christmas.

Some 1,000 workers have staged an anti-government protest in the Romanian capital against a tax overhaul which could lead to wage cuts.

The Trump administration is now estimating the Republican tax bill will generate about $1.8 trillion in new tax revenue over 10 years by boosting economic growth.

___ Bitcoin futures soar amid frenzy over virtual currency NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street got its first taste of bitcoin on Monday, with the price of the first-ever futures contract for the digital currency jumping 20 percent.

The Treasury Department just gave Republicans ammunition that their tax cuts would pay for themselves.

The Latest on Republican tax plan (all times local): 12:25 p.m. President Donald Trump is making his final pitch for the Republican tax plan in a speech to the American people.

The European Union's top five economies are warning the United States that its massive tax overhaul could contravene some of its international obligations and risks "having a major distortive impact on international trade."

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Sunday said Republican congressional lawmakers have made “great progress” as they attempt to unify a tax reform bill before the Christmas holiday.

Margaret Leatherwood has eight choices for health insurance next year but no good options.

Two looming questions threaten to snag the seemingly smooth trajectory of the Republicans' massive tax legislation now in its final leg in Congress.

___ A stronger global economy is helping boost the US job market WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers added a robust 228,000 jobs in November, a sign of the job market's enduring strength in its ninth year of economic recovery.

Two looming questions threaten to snag the seemingly smooth trajectory of the Republicans' massive tax legislation now in its final leg in Congress.

The Latest on a painting, said to be by Leonardo da Vinci, that sold for $450 million (all times local): 4 p.m.