Robert Willens

Vodafone’s Verizon Payday Seen Leaving U.K. Empty Handed

Vodafone Group Plc may reap $100 billion from its investment in U.S. mobile-phone venture Verizon Wireless and the U.K. government probably won’t get a penny thanks to an automatic exemption.

Daley Can Defer Taxes on $8.3 Million JPMorgan Sale

William Daley , President Barack Obama ’s new chief of staff, can defer the payment of capital gains taxes on his sale of almost $8.3 million of JPMorgan Chase & Co . shares, based on government ethics rules.

Ford's Accounting Revision May Add $13 Billion to Profit, Tax Expert Says

Ford Motor Co. , after earning $9.3 billion in the last two years, may make an accounting change this year to reflect confidence in its recovery, a move one tax expert said could boost its 2011 profit as much as $13 billion.

Verizon Said to be Seeking to Resolve Vodafone Venture

Verizon Communications Inc. is working to resolve its relationship with Vodafone Group Plc this year, having weighed options that range from ending its wireless venture with its European ally to a full merger of the two phone companies, said people familiar with the situation.

Verizon Seeks Full Control of Industry’s Leading Carrier

Verizon Communications Inc.’s effort to resolve its relationship with Vodafone Group Plc, potentially ending their wireless joint venture, would put it on a path to full ownership of the most profitable and fastest-growing major wireless carrier in the U.S.

ConocoPhillips Joins Marathon in Surge of Tax-Free Spinoffs

Flexible U.S. tax laws and rules are helping to fuel a surge in U.S. corporate spinoffs, allowing companies to split apart without taking a tax hit or imposing one on investors.

Exporting Profits Imports U.S. Tax Reductions for Pfizer, Lilly, Oracle

Over the past three years, Pfizer Inc . was an earner without profit in its own country.

Verizon, AT&T Pension Switch May Amplify Profit Swings

Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. ’s move to change the way they account for pension costs may increase the volatility of earnings if the economy hits another recession, accountants say.

IRS Ends Deals That Let Companies Avoid Repatriation Tax

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service will prevent companies from entering into transactions that allow them to tap their offshore cash stockpiles without paying taxes, the government said.

Ford May Post Largest Annual Profit Since 1998 on One-Time Accounting Gain

Ford Motor Co., boosted by a one- time tax gain, may report its most profitable year since 1998, while weakness in Europe and Asia cut fourth-quarter earnings.

"It's a very positive thing."

- Robert Willens on Feb 14, 2013

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Retail Sales in U.S. Increased More Than Forecast in May

Safeway to Sell Canada Unit to Sobeys for $5.7 Billion

Global Stocks Slide on World Bank Outlook as Yen Rallies

European Stocks Pare Losses as U.S. Retail Sales Climb

Jobless Claims in U.S. Fell by 12,000 Last Week to 334,000