See additional exceptions for U.S. Persons with signature authority, below.

FORBES: IRS Issues Final FBAR Regulations and Revised FBAR Form

Outside America newspapers have fared better, as a report to be published by the OECD next week shows (although there are exceptions: see article).

ECONOMIST: Newspapers

But despite what I believe to be inflated claims of financial distress oft lamented recently by NBA Commissioner David Stern, I do see some salary cap exceptions being abolished while others become tightened.

FORBES: NFL and NBA Labor Negotiations: Imitation Will Yield Savings

"With the notable exceptions of Sweden and Denmark, we see no political will to open doors wider to Iraqi refugees today, " it said of EU nations.

CNN: U.S. admits more Iraqi refugees

In the posts ahead, I look forward to discussing the origins and consequences of this stagnation, its exceptions, and the ways we might see our way out of its absurdities.

FORBES: What Bygone Absurdities Can Tell Us About Our Future

Congress and the Internal Revenue Service have designed the 3.8% tax to cast a wide net. (See box on this page.) But there are exceptions, plus strategies for minimizing the hit.

WSJ: Are You Ready for the New Investment Tax?