“What’s a 1000-C?” That’s the question millions of taxpayers will be asking as these forms land in their mailbox this year. An estimated 5.5 million 1099-C forms will be filed for the 2012 tax year.

A year ago, we posed seven questions—each a lens into the complex web of political, economic, social, technological and environmental forces shaping our world. The events of 2024 offered answers, ...