News about taxes
Through the foresight of farmers campaigning for a sales tax exemption over two decades ago, biodiesel production in Illinois has increased fifteenfold.
This year, like last year, is a farm bill year — and this year, like last year, probably won’t deliver a farm bill. The reason is the oldest one in Washington, D.C.: politics.
Some day, the passenger jets that soar 35,000 feet over Dan McLean’s North Dakota farm could be fueled by corn grown on his land and millions of other acres across the Midwest.
This month we celebrate the birth of our great nation. It was July 4, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence, calling for the 13 American colonies to secede from Great Britain, was adopted by the Second Continental Congress.
The Department of Treasury released guidance on its sustainable aviation fuel credit program that allows corn and soybeans to qualify as feedstocks for SAF with stipulations.
The announcement of guidance on eligibility for the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit was met with both concern and optimism.
Federal policymakers have a problem: Their hope to make corn and soybeans the feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel hit a wall when the aviation industry ruled biofuel from either crop did not meet its “sustainable” guidelines.
The easiest way to win any game is to rig the rules. That’s what Big Ag and its loyal boosters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture appear to be doing to make sure their new project, sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, flies.
Steve Hirsch has been involved with volunteer fire departments his entire life.
The first of three phases that move toward higher biodiesel blend sales tax exemptions was effective April 1.
Farmers were more optimistic about the ag economy in March, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a long list of bills into law at the close of the state’s 2024 General Assembly.
Swings in fertilizer prices have been the norm the past several years, swayed primarily by global market issues.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will soon meet with farm officials from key trading partners Canada and Mexico.
To make sure farmers’ voices are heard and their ideas are understood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan announced the creation of an Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
From a window atop my grandfather’s old barn, you can see my family’s whole farm, from the hayfields to the chicken houses to the pasture where the mama cows are grazing.
Farmer leaders and staff with the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance discussed hot topics with state lawmakers at the annual Bacon Bar and Brunch legislative breakfast.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Executive Committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show.
State legislators from both sides of the aisle joined together to announce an effort to protect farm families and their land by updating the estate tax code.
One of the best jobs I ever had was at Scott County Nursing Center when I was a senior at Winchester High School. Through the co-op class, I went to school the first half of the day and worked in the office at the nursing center the second half.
With the 2018 farm bill extended until the end of 2024, and the timeline on a new measure uncertain, one factor that will be front and center is the cost of the new legislation.
U.S. consumers looking to get a tax credit on an electric vehicle purchase have fewer models to choose from under new rules that limit the countries where automakers can buy battery parts and minerals — a potential blow to efforts to reduce planet-warming emissions from autos.
The 24th annual First State Bank Ag Conference, a special forum for area farmers, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Mendota Civic Center.
Brazil’s record high soybean production, depreciating currency and an expected boost in exporting capabilities through expanding transportation infrastructure will have important implications for U.S. international agricultural markets.
There’s nothing quite like the fresh start of a new year. After all the holiday decorations are put away and the college bowl games have wrapped up, many of us start making our resolutions for the year ahead.
There is a boom occurring for renewable diesel with several plants under construction in the United States.
Founding father Benjamin Franklin was spot-on almost three centuries ago when he noted — in print, no less — that two unavoidable facts of life were death and taxes.
Farm, aviation and biofuel groups voiced support for a science-based approach to measure greenhouse gas emission reductions in Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
The U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released guidance on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit.
A company that started nine years ago with two electricians and since expanded to over 60 employees was promoting its offerings at a Greater Peoria Farm Show booth.
The Illinois Corn Growers Association honored several individuals for their roles in supporting farmers and the industry during the organization’s annual meeting.
Ethanol has been the bread and butter of the corn industry since the Renewable Fuel Standard was created in 2005, but the winds of change are on the horizon.
Sixteen of the nation’s top corn grower leaders sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encouraging her to adopt an emissions model developed by the Department of Energy.
When asked to describe war, Union General William T. Sherman noted that “war is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.” Later, Sherman did refine his dictum to the much shorter, impossible-to-forget: “War is hell.”
Indiana Farm Bureau hosted nine policy advisory groups in which farmers worked through county policy suggestions.
Discussing topics such estate planning and mental health may not be comfortable for family members, but are essential.
Could the United States see another trade war with China? It is a possibility, according to U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican member of Congress and member of the newly-created House Select Committee on China.
After preparing my own taxes annually for over 40 years, I’m about to have someone else do them for me for the first time.
Nothing sets the mood to talk about agriculture better than a buffet of farm-fresh bacon, eggs and corn fritters.
After a two-year hiatus, the Mid-West Truck and Trailer Show is back. “We are excited. There are a lot of people in the industry who are just excited about there being an event again,” said Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association.
Happy New Year! I am not used to writing 2023 yet. Was not so long ago, the year 2023 seemed very far in the future. I was able to accomplish a couple of my farm business-related 2022 New Year’s resolutions.
“Saving” is a common thread running through many of the educational seminars at the 2023 Fort Wayne Farm Show.
As of Jan. 1, many Americans will now qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying an electric vehicle. The credit, part of changes enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act, is designed to spur EV sales and reduce greenhouse emissions.
Republican Kathy Salvi told a large group of farmers she would be a “citizen senator and will work tirelessly, efficiently and effectively to represent agriculture.” Salvi, a first-time candidate from Mundelein, is challenging incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
The senatorial candidates participated in a question-and-answer session after their opening statements at the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable forum. The questions were provided by those in the audience.
Incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted the work his administration has done on behalf of agriculture in remarks during the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum.
A question-and-answer session was held as part of the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum following each gubernatorial candidate’s opening statements. The questions were provided by those in the audience.
Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey said he is not one to sit idly and just let things happen, which is why he is running to be Illinois’ governor.
Following Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s opening statements at the Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable forum, he answered questions posed by those in attendance.
As part of the rollout of a huge new climate, tax and healthcare law, the U.S. government is moving forward with its plan to award new tax credits to electric vehicle purchasers.