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The author, a Maryland state legislator, discusses a bill under consideration in the state providing a tax break, including a retroactive component, to defense contractor Lockheed Martin, as a refund for its payment of a county hotel room rental tax for its guests at its Center for Leadership Excellence corporate hotel. He explains his opposition to the bill, noting a portion of the company's tax payments have already been recouped through its government contracts.

The article reports on the three percent withholding repeal passed by Congress in the U.S. On November 16, 2011, the House of Representatives voted 422 to 0 to amend the House of Representative (H.R.) 674, which mandates three percent withholding tax payments to companies with contracts with the government and ready for signature by President Barack Obama. Moreover, it is expected to increase government revenue by seven billion dollars until 2016.

This article discusses a tax-lobbying effort in which U.S. government contractors are said to urge lawmakers to rescind part of a 2006 law that will impose withholding tax on their government work. Contractors were particularly concerned about the cost implications of the said law. They claim it will place small companies at a competitive disadvantage. Senator Charles E. Grassley is reportedly consulting with the Joint Committee on Taxation on whether the withholding provision is still needed.

The article reports that a coalition of more than 100 businesses, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), has urged U.S. President Barack Obama to support a repeal of the 3 percent withholding tax on payments to companies for any contract with a government entity on any level.

The article reports that a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has made an issue of tax haven contractors. The GAO has noted those companies (who win federal contracts) who outsource and are able to reduce their taxable income by shifting it to tax haven operations. The article discusses legislation in the US Senate, an amendment to the JOBS Act (part of the larger FSC/ETI bill), that might eliminate this tax shelter. The US House version of the bill did not contain this amendment.

The article reports on the argument between the former shareholders in Northern Rock and the government of Great Britain. The crux of their argument is that the government confiscated their shares in the ailing bank and made insufficient allowances to compensate them. Before the application for the judicial review was made, the shareholders asked the treasury to rethink that stance, arguing that Northern Rock is, and was, a going concern that faced illiquidity rather than insolvency issues.