Economy

IRS Budget Cuts May Make For An Unpleasant Tax Filing Season

7:18pm January 21, 2015

by Brian Naylor

The IRS commissioner warns that congressionally mandated budget cuts are hurting the agency's ability to crack down on tax cheats, process timely refunds and even staff its help lines.

Queue Listen Now

At Davos, U.S. Economic Recovery Widely Lauded

7:00pm January 21, 2015

Audie Cornish talks with Kenneth Rogoff, professor of economics at Harvard University, and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund.

Queue Listen Now

To Drive Economy Toward Equality, Obama Requests More Spending

12:05pm January 21, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

His State of the Union address celebrated a year that brought the U.S. jobs and growth, and called on Congress to expand child care and free education. Critics say it's pure politics that won't pass.

Obama To Press For Higher Taxes On Wealthy Taxpayers

2:01pm January 20, 2015

President Obama is preparing to deliver his sixth State of the Union address Tuesday night. He plans to focus on the middle class. Steve Inskeep talks to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough.

Queue Listen Now

When Ed Neufeldt introduced President Obama in 2009, Elkhart, Ind. had the dubious distinction of having the highest unemployment rate in the country, close to 20 percent. The county's job numbers have recovered, but Neufeldt's now working three part-time

Working 3 Jobs In A Time Of Recovery

1:58pm January 20, 2015

by Tamara Keith

If Elkhart County, Ind. was the symbol of the recession, then Ed Neufeldt was the face of the unemployed worker. Elkhart's economy has recovered but Neufeldt is still struggling to bounce back.

Queue Listen Now

State Of The Union Will Tout Progress, But Is The Economy Fixed?

12:09pm January 20, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The economy has improved greatly since President Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009. But is his economic legacy impressive enough to justify taking a victory lap during his State of the Union address?

A trader stands outside the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 31, 2012.

Markets May Stumble Or Skyrocket, But This Economist Says Hold On Tight

11:00am January 20, 2015

by NPR Staff

It's been more than four decades since Burton Malkiel published A Random Walk Down Wall Street. Eleven editions later, Malkiel hasn't wavered in his mantra of patience and broad investing.

Queue Listen Now

Analysts Watch For Impacts Of European Economic Weakness On U.S.

7:58am January 20, 2015

by Susanna Capelouto

German automakers have several plants in the South, and Florida counts on European tourists. Analysts hope efforts to stimulate Europe's economy will keep investments in the U.S. from slipping.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

U.S. Should End Its Export Ban On Crude Oil, Study Says

7:58am January 20, 2015

by John Ydstie

The Center on Global Energy Policy says lifting the ban, which was put in place during the Arab oil embargoes of the 1970s, would help producers, consumers and improve U.S. security.

Queue Listen Now

Why Europe's Economy Threatens Global Growth

7:58am January 20, 2015

Ahead of Europe's central bank meeting, Renee Montagne talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution and a contributing correspondent to The Wall Street Journal.

Queue Listen Now