Tax Havens: International Tax Avoidance and Evasion

"Addressing tax evasion and avoidance through use of tax havens has been the subject of a number

of proposals in Congress and by the President. Actions by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G-20 industrialized nations also have addressed this issue. In the 111 thCongress, the HIRE Act (P.L. 111-147) included several anti-evasion provisions, and P.L. 111-226 included foreign tax credit provisions directed at perceived abuses by U.S. multinationals. Numerous legislative proposals to address both individual tax evasion and corporate tax avoidance have been advanced..."

Tax havens

Budget and Economic Outlook: 2015-2025

"The federal budget deficit, which has fallen sharply during the past few years, is projected to hold steady relative to the size of the economy through 2018. Beyond that point, however, the gap between spending and revenues is projected to grow, further increasing federal debt relative to the size of the economy—which is already historically high..."
Budget forecasts

Poverty Guidelines: 2015

Find the latest poverty guidelines as reported on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' web site. 
Poverty guidelines

Families and Living Arrangements:2014

Find the latest data on the living arrangement of families, including parents, grandparents, grandchildren, adopted children, and stepchildren..
Families & living arrangement

Tax ID Theft Tops FTC Complaints in 2014

"Tax-related identity theft was the most common form of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2014, while the number of complaints from consumers about criminals impersonating IRS officials was nearly 24 times more than in 2013, according to FTC statistics released today.

The FTC, along with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the AARP, and other partners are holding a series of events this week designed to educate consumers about these issues as part of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, which begins today and runs through Jan. 30..."
Tax identity theft

Crime in the United States, Jan. -June 2014

"Figures released today in the FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report reveal overall declines in the number of violent crimes and property crimes reported to law enforcement during the first six months of 2014 when compared to figures from the first six months of 2013.

Violent crimes reported for January through June of 2014 were down 4.6 percent from the same time period in 2013. All of the offenses in the violent crime category—murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery—showed decreases. And the number of property crimes during the same time period decreased 7.5 percent, with all three offenses—burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft—showing declines..."
Crime statistics

Types of insulation

"When insulating your home, you can choose from many types of insulation. To choose the best type of insulation, you should first determine the following:

• Where you want or need to install/add insulation
• The recommended R-values for areas you want to insulate.

Installing Insulation

The maximum thermal performance or R-value of insulation is very dependent on proper installation. Homeowners can install some types of insulation -- notably blankets and materials that can be poured in place. Other types require professional installation.."
Insulation

Population and Housing Units: 2014

"The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program (PEP) produces estimates of the population for the United States, its states, counties, cities, and towns, as well as for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its municipios..."
Population and Housing: 2014

Projected Costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces, 2015 to 2024

"Nuclear weapons have been a cornerstone of U.S. national security since they were developed during World War II. During the Cold War, nuclear forces were central to U.S. defense policy, resulting in the buildup of a large arsenal. Since that time, they have figured less prominently than

conventional forces, and the United States has not built any new nuclear weapons or delivery systems for many year..."

Nuclear forces cost

Yemen: Background and U.S. Relations

"This report provides an overview and analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amidst evolving political

change in Yemeni leadership, ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives in Yemen’s hinterlands, and international efforts to bolster the country’s stability despite an array of daunting socio-economic problems. Along with determining how best to counter terrorist threats emanating from Yemen, Congress and U.S. policy makers also may consider the priority level and resources that should be accorded to

attempts to stabilize Yemen and to establish and maintain strong bilateral relations with Yemeni leaders..."

Yemen

Worker’s expectations about losing and replacing their jobs: 35 years of change

"Workers were less secure about retaining their jobs in 2010 and 2012 than in 1977 and 1978; they also were less secure about the ease with which they would find a comparable job if they were separated. As might be expected, the two measures of job security track unemployment, although other factors certainly play a role as well..."
Workers and jobs

EPA Releases 2013 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis

"From 2012 to 2013, the amount of toxic chemicals managed as waste by the nation's industrial facilities increased by 4 percent. This increase includes the amount of chemicals recycled, treated, and burned for energy recovery, as well as the amount disposed of or otherwise released into the environment. In TRI, a "release" generally refers to a chemical that is emitted to the air, water, or placed in some type of land disposal. Most of these releases are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm..."
Toxics relese inventory

EPA Urges Home Radon Testing/Protect Your Family from Lung Cancer Caused by Exposure to Radon in Your Home

"In recognizing January as National Radon Action Month, EPA encourages Americans around the country to test their homes for this naturally occurring radioactive gas and make 2015 a healthier, safer new year.

“Many people don’t realize that radon is the second cause of lung cancer after smoking,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The good news is radon exposure is preventable. Testing and fixing for radon will save thousands of lives, prevent burdensome health care costs, and make America’s homes and schools safer for future generations.”

Each year about 21,000 Americans die from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon. Testing is the only way to know if a home has elevated levels of radon. The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend taking action to reduce the radon level if it’s at or above 4 picocuries per Liter (pCi/L) of air.
Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are available online, at many home improvement and hardware stores, or you can hire a qualified radon professional..."

Radon

Ransomware on the Rise

"Your computer screen freezes with a pop-up message—supposedly from the FBI or another federal agency—saying that because you violated some sort of federal law your computer will remain locked until you pay a fine. Or you get a pop-up message telling you that your personal files have been encrypted and you have to pay to get the key needed decrypt them.
 
These scenarios are examples of ransomware scams, which involve a type of malware that infects computers and restricts users’ access to their files or threatens the permanent destruction of their information unless a ransom—anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars—is paid..."
Ransomware

Furnaces and boilers

"Most U.S. homes are heated with either furnaces or boilers. Furnaces heat air and distribute the heated air through the house using ducts. Boilers heat water, and provide either hot water or steam for heating. Steam is distributed via pipes to steam radiators, and hot water can be distributed via baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems, or can heat air via a coil. Steam boilers operate at a higher temperature than hot water boilers, and are inherently less efficient, but high-efficiency versions of all types of furnaces and boilers are currently available. To learn more about furnaces, boilers and other types of home heating systems, explore our Energy Saver 101 infographic on home heating..."
Energy efficiency:Furnaces-and-boilers