This is paid either in cash or as a credit against future tax liabilities, and is typically paid a year in arrears.

ECONOMIST: Welfare reform

Dividends from publicly traded foreign companies get the 15% rate, but taxpayers are now limited to that rate in claiming the foreign tax credit: If a foreign country withholds a 30% tax, you only get a credit against your U.S. tax bill for half of it.

FORBES: How to adjust your investing, loan and AMT strategies.

They are to get a tax credit against investment in research and development, and they rightly get it whether or not they make profits.

ECONOMIST: Business and competition