DATA DRAFT

Consumers want more Virginia wine

Virginia wine continues to grow in

popularity — to the tune of more than 6.6 MILLION bottles (556,500 cases) sold during fiscal year 2016, according to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office. That’s a 6 PERCENT increase over last year’s sales and a 34 PERCENT increase since 2010. Here are other wine stats:

>> Virginia boasts 285 wineries, ranking fifth in the nation. The Commonwealth has 16 cideries, ranking sixth nationally.

>> Total sales of Virginia wine amounted to more than $2 MILLION in wine liter tax collections in 2016.

>> Visits to Virginia wineries reached 2.3 MILLION in 2015.

>> Vineyard acreage increased by 8 PERCENT in 2015 over 2014 numbers, with grape production increasing as well.

>> Cider sales (tracked separately from wine for the second year) totaled 416,750 cases, a 52 PERCENT increase over 2015.

Wine and cider sales are doing a lot to help the state’s economy: “These vineyards and orchards are providing jobs, revenue and expanded tourism opportunities, especially in many of our more rural areas across the Commonwealth,” McAuliffe said.

Thirsty for more or to find a winery near you? Check out virginiawine.org. n

did you know?

More than half of American parents give their children an allowance, according to a poll by the American Institute of CPAs. On average, kids receive $67.80 each month, or $814 a year, and do approximately six hours a week of chores to earn their money. n AMERICANS SOUND OFF >>

Thoughts on the U.S. tax system

More than 1,000 Americans were surveyed by WalletHub about their thoughts on the current U.S. tax system, how they think it should be improved and how they felt about the presidential candidates’ tax proposals. Key findings included:

>> They’re confused. More than 75 PERCENT of respondents rated the current tax code as either “complex” or “extremely complex.”

>> Many don’t want deductions. Nearly half of respondents (47.8 PERCENT) said the fairest possible tax code would have fewer deductions than currently available.

>> They want to pay more taxes on investments.

NINE OUT OF 10 respondents said income from investments should be taxed at least as much as wages.

>> Some want a flat tax. One in four respondents (26.27 PERCENT) support a flat income tax.

>> They think companies aren’t paying their fair share.

Nearly three-fifths of respondents (57.18 PERCENT) said corporations should face higher tax rates than consumers.

>> They believe some items should have higher tax rates.

Taxes on wages and corporations were rated “least fair” and taxes on alcohol and tobacco “most fair.”

Check out the full survey results, including commentary and methodology, at wallethub.com. n

BY THE NUMBERS

77

The percent of deficiencies found in the audits of broker-dealers inspected in 2015 by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), according to a report released on Aug. 18, 2016. While the number is high, it’s a 10 percent drop from the deficiencies found in 2014. Audit deficiencies were found mainly in revenue, with others in related-party transactions, among other areas. Visit pcaobus.org to read the full report. n