4 surprise tax perks in the "fiscal cliff" deal

Now that there's been time to digest the "fiscal cliff" deal that passed Congress, it turns out that negotiators didn't just help out individuals, families, the unemployed, doctors and milk consumers. Tucked into the 150-plus page bill are several tax perks for businesses - businesses you probably didn't even know needed tax perks.

• "Fiscal cliff" averted after deal clears House

To be clear, these are renewals of existing tax breaks that were set to expire, so they weren't plucked out of thin air during negotiations over the weekend. However, the fact that they were included in a bill that was the result of such acrimonious debate got the attention of some House members who were against the deal.

Included in the bill:

[Jhihmoac]

Of course "perks"...Nothin' will ever get passed without 'em...

[Jhihmoac]

Of course "perks"...Nothin' will ever get passed without 'em...

[CarsonCitySteve]

Why are these ""surprising?" Why are considered "perks?" These are just an extension of existing law. Nothing new here. Move along people. The time to ask the question was when the first "cuts" came into being. Now it's just "business as usual."

[tudognight]

The president got nothing. In two months, the Republicans will send the nation again into free fall to advance their quest to eliminate social security and medicare benefits as well as other safety net programs. They have despised these programs and regulations on banking since Roosevelt.

[MomsHugs]

KSU1959: Apparently KSU wasn't able to educate you in the finer points of the Constitution, e.g.,which Branch of government controls appropriations & spending via the House Ways & Means Committee & the Senate Finance Committee. The Executive Branch can ask, but Congress can tell the President to go jump in the lake. The Founders were wise to provide for checks & balances, but you knew that didn't you?

[mrleme]

thank you momshugs

[wondrng]

Who is going to protest what the two co-hosts did on CNN New Year's Eve, no doubt with families with children watching. Shouldn't that be considered obscene and indecent, and some sanction issued?

[wondrng]

why are comments not getting posted?

[wondrng]

Two more porks:

•$331 million for railroads by allowing short-line and regional operators to claim a tax credit up to 50 percent of the cost to maintain tracks that they own or lease.

•$59 million for algae growers through tax credits to encourage production of "cellulosic biofuel" at up to $1.01 per gallon.

Can CBS get lawmakers to divulge more of negotiations so they aren't a surprise?

We need to get out and demonstrate, about all waste. Just as important as tax hikes.

[usbworks]

This article missed one:

A new 100% tax credit for people using the tag "usbworks".

[FoolishU]

Sometimes amendments to bills giving tax breaks can seem to be political payoffs. It is easy to make a headline out of bashing them. I think the bigger issue is whether these tax initiatives preserve industries and jobs or just put money in the pockets of corporate owners. Hollywood I can understand. It is far less expensive to make a movie overseas. Entertainment is big business and employs many workers. NASCAR tax breaks to rebuild or improve racetracks well I don't get that one. Rum subsidies for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands yes both impovished and in need of continued economic support. I point out that those states receiving the largest PER CAPITA payouts from Uncle Sam are REPUBLICAN STATES. Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky plus a few more. Why not bash Republican House and Senate members who continually feed pork to their districts?

[tsigili]

Even in this.......3/4 billion dollars of pure PORK!

No one in the Congress is a responsible person, that voted FOR this bill.