Archive for Taxes

Tax Increases! Watch out Below

The new administration’s “Payroll Czar” has just been appointed. The original job description is to oversee and regulate the incomes of employees in companies that got government bailout money. Watch out friends—-if you think that it will stop there—-you are sadly mistaken.
This administration wants to control everyone’s income. Look at the hypocracy. You are not supposed to have company functions in Las Vegas or other cities for that is wasted money. But, it is okay for the President to waste millions of your tax dollars for a Friday Night “date night” in New York.
Most Americans never connect the dots. As Pravda stated, the Russian state newspaper, the Democrats have reached their goal. They have maintained an ineffective education system in the U.S. for over 30 years. They have “dumbed down” America. Americans are more interested and more knowledgeable about “American Idol” than what is going on in the world.
During the campaign Obama stated that only the rich will have an increase in taxes. If anyone with a 3rd grade education had done the math, they would have seen that it was impossible to do that…it was a big lie.
Look at today. The present administration wants to cut the pay that top executives make. Remember, the top 20% of income earners pay 86% of all taxes.
Let’s say a person is earning $2 million per year. Their total tax rate is now in excess of 50%. Using 50% tax, then this person takes home $1 million and the Government gets $1 million. If the Government reduces a person’s pay to $1 million, then, in order to get the same tax money going into Washington, they will have to tax him @ 100%, i.e., confiscate all of that person’s income. So, with 100% of the money going to the Feds, then, no other money will be spent in the economy…more recession. By the way, I have not included all the new spending that is planned In this “ tax the rich scheme”.
Now, tell me, would you go to work knowing all your pay will be confiscated? That is socialism at its best.
Well, they could tax people at 120% of their pay! What?
Watch out below!

Hidden Tax

The media, Hollywood and other sources have been pushing the concept of global warming. Yes, we all have opinions about it, yet, it bothers me that both sides of the discussion are not presented with the same intensity.

What to look for…. the first step has been to “sell” the idea of a carbon footprint. Initially, business will be transacting carbon credits between themselves. Those who fall short will be “Taxed”. Next will be your autos in the bull’s eye based on its footprint. The auto’s carbon footprint will have an additional tax you will pay. Finally, your house energy consumption will be taxed. Before you give up your choice and control look at the other side of the discussion. Watch the political candidates you support. Remember, any government program that starts….never ends.

Here are a few sites for you to check out in your due diligence.

www.americanthinker.com/blog/2007/11/weather_channel_founder_global.html

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/comments_about_global_warming/

Sunset on the Horizon

A series of sunset provisions are set to become effective in two years will bring higher capital gains, dividends and estate taxes to you. These are the results of laws passed in 2001 and 2003.

The 15% tax rate on most long term capital gains and qualified dividend income is scheduled to remain effective until 12/31/2010. For the two lowest tax brackets the tax rate is Zero (0) for 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Beginning in 2011, capital gains rates return to pre 2003 levels of 20% and 10% respectively. Dividend taxes are set to revert to ordinary income tax rates (ouch) Estate taxes, scheduled to disappear in 2010, will reinstate in 2011 to the tax rates prior to 2001 (double ouch).

Keep in mind a new President, with a congressional majority, could pass a new law in 2009 and make the taxes higher retroactive to 1/1/2009. Caution – make and execute aggressive tax planning NOW! Do not wait until it is too late.

The capital gains tax rate reached 50% in the 1970’s. It dropped to 28% in 1978, President Reagan moved it down to 20%. The 2003 law moved dividend tax rates from ordinary tax rates of 39.5% down to 15%. This has been a boom for senior citizens since many live on dividends from major U.S. corporations.

Expect law makers to reach a compromise on estate tax providing and exemption on the first $3-4 million.

Again, like I have written many times, over the past years, you should develop a strategic rollout plan on your IRA’s/401Ks. As you can see taxes are going up. It would be better to pay taxes NOW @ lower rates than later at higher rates. There are ways to take up to $60,000 per year out of your IRA/401K without taxes.

    Get some help…take action now, or, regret it later.

IRS Hikes ’08 LTC Deductibility Levels

These new deductibility level increases the value of a little-known secret: The cost of long-term care protection for small businesses is tax deductible.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced increased deductibility levels for long-term care insurance policies purchased in 2008. Small business owners should take heed, because millions of small and mid-sized business owners are still aware that the cost of long-term care insurance protection for themselves and their spouse may be fully tax deductible. It’s amazing how few accountants understand tax deductibility and discuss it with their clients. It’s very rare that an accountant brings up the tax advantage of long-term care planning, so, it’s really an opportunity for your investment professionals and insurance agents to bring up the topic.

To get the tax benefit, small business owners can, just like large businesses, set up a C corporation, which offers tax planning and liability advantages. Once the C Corp is established, the small businesses can create what’s called an executive carve-out plan. The business sets up a provision in their minutes that the [LTC] benefit is provided for a specific group. For example, you could say you have to be an officer of the company and have been employed for 6 years; that would exclude any other employees. So now the business is using pretax dollars to buy LTC insurance for the owner and his or her spouse, and it’s fully tax deductible.

In addition to the federal tax deduction, many states now offer tax incentives for individuals purchasing tax-qualified long-term care coverage.

According to AALTCI, the deductible limits under Section 213(d)(10) for eligible long-term care premiums includable in the term “medical care” are as follows:

DEDUCTIBILITY OF LTC INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Attained Age Before Close of Taxable Year 2007 Deductible Limits 2008 Deductible Limits
40 or Less $290 $310
More than 40 but not more than 50 $550 $580
More than 50 but not more than 60 $1,110 $1,150
More than 60 but not more than 70 $2,950 $3,080
More than 70 $3,680 $3,850