BUSINESS BRIEFS
IRS collections go private today
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Beginning this week, thousands of Americans who owe taxes to the federal government will start getting phone calls to pay up — but from private collection agencies, not the IRS.
Despite congressional opposition and criticism from a federal employee union, a taxpayer advisory panel and others, the IRS is giving three collection agencies information on 12,500 taxpayers who owe less than $25,000 and have not disputed the debt.
The IRS has moved to reassure taxpayers about the plan, the first step in a broader privatization effort, even outlining steps to guard against potential scam artists posing as private collectors.
BARBIE BEETLES GOING FOR $24,171
MEXICO CITY — She's got a knockout body, an endless wardrobe and a hunky boy-friend. Now Barbie is also getting a car.
Volkswagen has teamed up with Mattel in Mexico to produce 13 special edition Barbie Beetles. For $24,171, or 262,500 pesos, one of the 13 pink bugs can be anyone's dream.
The companies, in a news release yesterday, said they are confident the model will be a hit not only among children, but moms as well. The car will feature not only a frosty pink exterior but also a pink steering wheel, pink rims and pink seats.
MURDOCH JOINS 'FREE' MARKET
LONDON — Global media tycoon Rupert Murdoch yesterday launched thelondonpaper, diving into London's already crowded market for free newspapers — a relatively new but lucrative source of media revenue.
The afternoon daily faces fierce competition from the newly launched London Lite, published by Associated Newspapers, a part of Daily Mail and General Trust PLC.
More than 400,000 copies of the 48-page paper were planned for the first run, said News International, the main British subsidiary of Murdoch's News Corp.
