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FINCEN FILING: Beginning this year, most small companies have a NEW small business filing requirement with FinCEN call the Business Ownership Information Report, that can be time confusing. Failure to file or erroneous filings can result in jail time and up to $10,000 in fines. Our team can handle the filing for you with minimal effort on your end. To get started, schedule a time to speak with us here.

Tax Policy/News:

November 1: Trump and Harris both support a bigger child tax credit. But which families should get it?

In a unique show of bipartisan interest, both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump support expanding the child tax credit (CTC), though they differ on who should benefit.

 Harris advocates a universal monthly CTC, granting $6,000 for families with infants and $3,600 for older children, regardless of parental income. She plans to fund this by raising corporate taxes and allowing some Trump-era tax cuts to expire.

 Meanwhile, Trump’s past policy doubled the CTC to $2,000 and expanded eligibility to families with incomes up to $400,000; he has suggested further increases but hasn’t specified details, while his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, has proposed raising the CTC to $5,000.

 However, many Republicans argue against providing the credit to non-working parents, fearing it may discourage employment. The discussion comes as child poverty remains high and rising living costs continue to strain families. Both candidates’ approaches would aim to reduce child poverty, but questions persist about balancing broad eligibility with incentives for workforce participation.

 Economic News/Policy:

November 4: Taxes, tariffs and more: 5 key economic stakes of the US election

The upcoming U.S. election will shape taxes, trade, immigration, energy policies, and federal deficits. Key differences include Donald Trump’s tax-cut extensions versus Kamala Harris’s proposals for higher taxes on the wealthy.

 Trump’s aggressive tariffs contrast with Harris’s stability-focused trade approach. Trump seeks mass deportations, while Harris supports moderated immigration reform.

 In energy, Trump backs fossil fuels, whereas Harris champions green energy. Both candidates’ plans are expected to increase the national deficit, but Trump’s proposals could drive it higher, impacting interest rates and borrowing costs, with outcomes heavily influenced by potential congressional control.

 October 30: US economy grew at a solid 2.8% pace last quarter on strength of consumer spending

The U.S. economy expanded at a robust 2.8% annualized rate in Q3, driven primarily by strong consumer spending, which surged at 3.7%—up from 2.8% in Q2.

 The GDP growth rate slightly moderated from 3% in the previous quarter but underscored resilience amid high interest rates. Exports also contributed, with an 8.9% growth rate, although business investment lagged, particularly in housing and commercial properties.

 Inflation indicators in the report were positive, with the Fed’s preferred measure, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, showing a notable decline to 1.5%—the lowest in over four years.

 With consumer confidence rebounding, and core PCE inflation down to 2.2%, the Federal Reserve has continued its recent shift, cutting rates by half a percentage point.

 These figures could influence the presidential race, highlighting economic strength as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump debate fiscal policies, with Harris noting economic recovery and Trump’s policies critiqued as potentially inflationary.

Technology:

October 31: Plans must be made for the welfare of sentient AI, animal consciousness researchers argue

A recent report by animal consciousness researchers urges AI developers to anticipate the possibility of creating sentient AI and prepare for ethical considerations around such systems’ welfare.

 The study, authored by experts in animal consciousness, argues that our human tendency to perceive sentience only in familiar forms, such as animals or human-like features, could hinder recognition of genuine AI sentience.

 While Jeff Sebo, a bioethicist and co-author, acknowledges the low probability of achieving sentient AI soon, he warns that our ongoing exploration of consciousness-related traits, like perception and memory, could inadvertently lead to it.

 Highlighting AI models such as Google DeepMind’s virtual rat, Sebo stresses that as AI continues to replicate biological traits, researchers must recognize potential moral implications.

 Philosophers like Eric Schwitzgebel propose that AI interfaces should match their perceived sentience level to ensure appropriate human empathy. The report urges proactive measures, including ethical guidelines, as AI developers continue to push boundaries in cognition and learning, to avoid repeating historical oversights in recognizing sentience, as seen with animals.

 October 28: The ROI of R&D: Measuring the True Value of Innovation Investments

In a competitive market landscape, assessing the return on investment (ROI) of research and development (R&D) initiatives has become essential for measuring the impact of innovation.

 While the ROI of R&D can take years to materialize, several frameworks provide insights for evaluating its effectiveness holistically.

 For instance, the Balanced Scorecard Approach allows companies to assess performance across financial, customer, internal process, and learning metrics, giving a broad view of R&D outcomes. Real Options Analysis offers a flexible approach to resource allocation based on evolving market conditions, especially for tangible assets, while Intellectual Property (IP) Valuation measures the worth of IP created by R&D through cost, market, or income-based methods.

 Additionally, qualitative metrics like brand reputation and customer loyalty capture long-term, intangible benefits. Drivers for innovation investment today include digital transformation, tax credits incentivizing R&D expenditures, automation in AI, and sustainability initiatives. Emphasizing these factors maximizes R&D value and keeps businesses adaptable to rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations.

Energy and Environmental Policy/News:

November 2: America's EV Charging Network is Starting to Look Like Europe's

The U.S. is rapidly expanding its EV charging infrastructure, mirroring Europe’s approach with a mix of fast-charging stations, Level 2 chargers, and curbside solutions.

 With around 145,000 public charging points now installed—up from 96,000 in 2020—the Biden administration’s goal is to reach 600,000 public chargers by 2030. In contrast, Europe, which has stricter emissions standards, already has more than 755,000 chargers.

 The U.S. has a more consolidated market with dominant providers like Tesla and ChargePoint, while Europe’s more fragmented market encourages compatibility across charging networks.

 Many European chargers are uncorded, requiring drivers to carry their own cables, which reduces costs and visual impact, a practice beginning in some U.S. cities.

 As part of this shift, automakers like Mercedes and Volvo are building branded charging hubs in high-dwell areas like Starbucks. However, dense U.S. cities face unique challenges, particularly for multifamily dwellings, where installing EV infrastructure is cost prohibitive. Observers agree that further government involvement is crucial for achieving comprehensive access to EV charging.

 October 31: As US EV sales growth slows, election results could reverse or reinforce the trend

While U.S. electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to grow, the rate has decelerated, with the upcoming election set to influence this trend.

 Former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in cutting EV tax credits, a stance that could reduce consumer incentives, while Vice President Kamala Harris aims to bolster the EV sector, emphasizing U.S.-based production and union labor.

 Biden's administration has invested $7.5 billion toward a 500,000-public-charger network and extended tax credits up to $7,500 for new EV purchases.

 Analysts note that while a Trump presidency could target tax credits, broader EV infrastructure funding may remain unaffected due to bipartisan support. However, a shift in EV purchase incentives could impact future sales growth, with a focus on job creation and reshoring manufacturing potentially swaying public and political support.

 Proponents stress that maintaining EV policies is essential for U.S. competitiveness, as infrastructure and local economic investments are gaining momentum across states. Experts emphasize that supporting the EV ecosystem is critical to maintaining America’s leadership in clean transportation.

 October 30: 5 congressional races key to energy and environmental policy

Several tight congressional races may heavily impact the direction of U.S. energy and environmental policy.

 In Montana, Democrat Sen. Jon Tester faces a tough race against Republican Tim Sheehy; a Tester loss would give Republicans a potential Senate majority, with Tester’s record showing a mix of support and opposition to environmental initiatives.

 In Michigan, the Senate race between Rep. Elissa Slotkin and ex-Rep. Mike Rogers centers on electric vehicle policy, with Slotkin promoting EVs as an economic boost, while Rogers frames them as job-threatening mandates.

 Nebraska’s close race sees Sen. Deb Fischer competing against labor organizer Dan Osborn, whose populist stance could bring significant leverage over future climate policy.

 Pennsylvania's 10th District pits Trump ally Rep. Scott Perry against Janelle Stelson, with Perry criticized for his climate skepticism and support for repealing Inflation Reduction Act provisions.

 Lastly, in Iowa's 1st District, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, is in a competitive race against Christina Bohannan, which could affect the caucus’s leadership on climate policy continuity. These races will shape Congress's support or resistance to the next administration's environmental agenda.

For Fun:

October 31: Why are parrots so colorful? Study points to simple chemical tweak

A recent study has uncovered the mechanism behind parrots’ vibrant reds, yellows, and greens, tracing it to a unique chemical modification of a pigment specific to these birds.

 Unlike most birds, which derive pigments from their diets, parrots synthesize their own through psittacofulvins—pigments that are modified within developing feathers.

 Researchers found that whether a parrot’s feather turns red or yellow depends on the molecular end of the pigment's carbon chain: aldehyde endings yield red hues, while carboxyl groups create yellow.

 This ability, originating early in parrot evolution, gives them notable control over color for communication and mate attraction. The discovery of a gene linked to this pigment’s enzymatic modification in the dusky lory parrot further emphasizes the simplicity yet versatility of this process.

 The study suggests that similar mechanisms might underpin color variations in other birds, highlighting an elegant evolutionary tool for color diversity. While this discovery explains much, researchers continue to investigate the cellular origins and evolutionary drivers of these striking hues.

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