Friday, February 04, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Governor of Hawaii Can't Find Barack Obama's Birth Certificate?
Governor of Hawaii Can't Find Barack Obama's Birth Certificate?
Governor of Hawaii Can't Find Barack Obama's Birth Certificate?
January 21, 2011
Listen To It! WMP | RealPlayer
Audio clips available for Rush 24/7 members only -- Join Now!
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: I've been sitting on this story all week, purposely, just to see where it would go. And it has grown. This governor out in Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, a well-known socialist, by the way, longtime member of Congress, now the governor of Hawaii, really stepped in it earlier, well, I think it was not even this week, it was last week. The governor, Neil Abercrombie, some time ago said, (paraphrasing) "Look, I was there when Obama was born in Hawaii. That birth certificate, it exists. Everybody knows it. I was there when that kid was born." Turns out he wasn't there, and he admitted he wasn't there. He was there in spirit. He was trying to say he's that certain. See, he thinks that Obama ought to just get this off the table. Abercrombie is worried that this birth certificate thing is going to be a lingering problem heading into 2012. So Abercrombie, big friend of Obama, tried to step in there and head this off at the pass. It turns out he can't find the birth certificate, the governor of Hawaii cannot find it. It's just a notation that somebody wrote down.
This has now made its way to the UK Daily Mail: "Hawaii Governor Claims Record of Obama's Birth 'Exists in Archives' but Can't Produce the Vital Document." That's the headline. The story originated at World Net Daily in this country earlier, and of course if it originates anywhere outside the mainstream press, the mainstream press will not acknowledge it. "Pressure was mounting on Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie today amid increasing confusion over whether President Obama was born there." This is the UK Daily Mail. "Abercrombie said on Tuesday that an investigation had unearthed papers proving Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961. He told Honolulu's Star-Advertiser: 'It actually exists in the archives, written down,' he said. But it became apparent that what had been discovered was an unspecified listing or notation of Obama's birth that someone had made in the state archives and not a birth certificate. And in the same interview Abercrombie suggested that a long-form, hospital-generated birth certificate for Barack Obama may not exist within the vital records maintained by the Hawaii Department of Health. He said efforts were still being made to track down definitive vital records that would prove Obama was born in Hawaii."
Remember, he started out, the whole reason for doing this was to firmly prove it and establish and get it off the table so it wasn't an election issue for 2012. And he's done the exact opposite now. I mean how many of us could get away with saying, "Yeah, there's a little notation somewhere there in the archives. We can't find the birth certificate. Oh, well, welcome to America, Mr. Limbaugh." Do you think if this was me and they were trying to prove that I wasn't an American and I insisted that I was, but I couldn't produce a birth certificate or wouldn't, and yet the governor of Missouri says, "Oh, yeah, there's a little notification, somebody wrote down Limbaugh was born here." Do you think that would fly? No, it wouldn't be, "Let him back in the country." It would be, "Get him out of the country. This guy's been an infiltrator since he was two," is what they would say about me, claiming that my original country of origin was China.
"Abercrombie was asked: 'You stirred up quite a controversy with your comments regarding birthers and your plan to release more information regarding President Barack Obama's birth certificate. How is that coming?'" Kind of like how is that hope and change working for you? "He acknowledged the birth certificate issue would have 'political implications' for the next presidential election 'that we simply cannot have.'" Now, what does this tell us? Neil Abercrombie is no fool. When it comes to electoral politics, Abercrombie knows the ins and outs, and if Abercrombie senses a problem here -- look, the big mistake was to announce in public what you were gonna do before you knew you had what you told everybody what you were gonna produce. This is kind of like a lawyer granting somebody immunity without knowing what the heck they're going to say. So Abercrombie's kinda caught now.
"He acknowledged the birth certificate issue would have 'political implications' for the next presidential election 'that we simply cannot have.' 'It's a matter of principle with me,' the 72-year-old said. 'I knew his mum and dad. I was here when he was born. Anybody who wants to ask a question honestly could have had their answer already.'" But nobody has come forward to definitively prove it. In fact, most government officials have apparently done their best to seal it all off, whatever there is, they've sealed it all off. And they've tried to pooh-pooh any interest in it. And they have attempted to impugn those who have interest in it. It's merely a presidential constitutional requirement. It's really no big deal as far as the libs are concerned, but the
Governor of Hawaii Can't Find Barack Obama's Birth Certificate?
January 21, 2011
Listen To It! WMP | RealPlayer
Audio clips available for Rush 24/7 members only -- Join Now!
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: I've been sitting on this story all week, purposely, just to see where it would go. And it has grown. This governor out in Hawaii, Neil Abercrombie, a well-known socialist, by the way, longtime member of Congress, now the governor of Hawaii, really stepped in it earlier, well, I think it was not even this week, it was last week. The governor, Neil Abercrombie, some time ago said, (paraphrasing) "Look, I was there when Obama was born in Hawaii. That birth certificate, it exists. Everybody knows it. I was there when that kid was born." Turns out he wasn't there, and he admitted he wasn't there. He was there in spirit. He was trying to say he's that certain. See, he thinks that Obama ought to just get this off the table. Abercrombie is worried that this birth certificate thing is going to be a lingering problem heading into 2012. So Abercrombie, big friend of Obama, tried to step in there and head this off at the pass. It turns out he can't find the birth certificate, the governor of Hawaii cannot find it. It's just a notation that somebody wrote down.
This has now made its way to the UK Daily Mail: "Hawaii Governor Claims Record of Obama's Birth 'Exists in Archives' but Can't Produce the Vital Document." That's the headline. The story originated at World Net Daily in this country earlier, and of course if it originates anywhere outside the mainstream press, the mainstream press will not acknowledge it. "Pressure was mounting on Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie today amid increasing confusion over whether President Obama was born there." This is the UK Daily Mail. "Abercrombie said on Tuesday that an investigation had unearthed papers proving Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961. He told Honolulu's Star-Advertiser: 'It actually exists in the archives, written down,' he said. But it became apparent that what had been discovered was an unspecified listing or notation of Obama's birth that someone had made in the state archives and not a birth certificate. And in the same interview Abercrombie suggested that a long-form, hospital-generated birth certificate for Barack Obama may not exist within the vital records maintained by the Hawaii Department of Health. He said efforts were still being made to track down definitive vital records that would prove Obama was born in Hawaii."
Remember, he started out, the whole reason for doing this was to firmly prove it and establish and get it off the table so it wasn't an election issue for 2012. And he's done the exact opposite now. I mean how many of us could get away with saying, "Yeah, there's a little notation somewhere there in the archives. We can't find the birth certificate. Oh, well, welcome to America, Mr. Limbaugh." Do you think if this was me and they were trying to prove that I wasn't an American and I insisted that I was, but I couldn't produce a birth certificate or wouldn't, and yet the governor of Missouri says, "Oh, yeah, there's a little notification, somebody wrote down Limbaugh was born here." Do you think that would fly? No, it wouldn't be, "Let him back in the country." It would be, "Get him out of the country. This guy's been an infiltrator since he was two," is what they would say about me, claiming that my original country of origin was China.
"Abercrombie was asked: 'You stirred up quite a controversy with your comments regarding birthers and your plan to release more information regarding President Barack Obama's birth certificate. How is that coming?'" Kind of like how is that hope and change working for you? "He acknowledged the birth certificate issue would have 'political implications' for the next presidential election 'that we simply cannot have.'" Now, what does this tell us? Neil Abercrombie is no fool. When it comes to electoral politics, Abercrombie knows the ins and outs, and if Abercrombie senses a problem here -- look, the big mistake was to announce in public what you were gonna do before you knew you had what you told everybody what you were gonna produce. This is kind of like a lawyer granting somebody immunity without knowing what the heck they're going to say. So Abercrombie's kinda caught now.
"He acknowledged the birth certificate issue would have 'political implications' for the next presidential election 'that we simply cannot have.' 'It's a matter of principle with me,' the 72-year-old said. 'I knew his mum and dad. I was here when he was born. Anybody who wants to ask a question honestly could have had their answer already.'" But nobody has come forward to definitively prove it. In fact, most government officials have apparently done their best to seal it all off, whatever there is, they've sealed it all off. And they've tried to pooh-pooh any interest in it. And they have attempted to impugn those who have interest in it. It's merely a presidential constitutional requirement. It's really no big deal as far as the libs are concerned, but the
A Primer on Oil Indicators - Seeking Alpha
A Primer on Oil Indicators - Seeking Alpha various oil indicators
Statins 'May Cause Loss of Memory and�Depression' by Sophie Borland
Statins 'May Cause Loss of Memory and�Depression' by Sophie Borland
Cholesterol-lowering pills taken by millions of Britons may cause memory loss and depression, researchers warn.
They say not enough is known about the level of harm posed by statins, prescribed to prevent heart disease and strokes.
Leading doctors say that the drugs should only be taken by patients for whom the benefits of the drug outweigh any potential risks.
Cholesterol-lowering pills taken by millions of Britons may cause memory loss and depression, researchers warn.
They say not enough is known about the level of harm posed by statins, prescribed to prevent heart disease and strokes.
Leading doctors say that the drugs should only be taken by patients for whom the benefits of the drug outweigh any potential risks.
The More Americans That Go On Food Stamps the More Money JP�Morgan Makes
The More Americans That Go On Food Stamps the More Money JP�Morgan Makes
JP Morgan is the largest processor of food stamp benefits in the United States. JP Morgan has contracted to provide food stamp debit cards in 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. JP Morgan is paid for each case that it handles, so that means that the more Americans that go on food stamps, the more profits JP Morgan makes. Yes, you read that correctly. When the number of Americans on food stamps goes up, JP Morgan makes more money. In the video posted below, JP Morgan executive Christopher Paton admits that this is "a very important business to JP Morgan" and that it is doing very well. Considering the fact that the number of Americans on food stamps has exploded from 26 million in 2007 to 43 million today, one can only imagine how much JP Morgan's profits in this area have soared. But doesn't this give JP Morgan an incentive to keep the number of Americans enrolled in the food stamp program as high as possible?
JP Morgan is the largest processor of food stamp benefits in the United States. JP Morgan has contracted to provide food stamp debit cards in 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. JP Morgan is paid for each case that it handles, so that means that the more Americans that go on food stamps, the more profits JP Morgan makes. Yes, you read that correctly. When the number of Americans on food stamps goes up, JP Morgan makes more money. In the video posted below, JP Morgan executive Christopher Paton admits that this is "a very important business to JP Morgan" and that it is doing very well. Considering the fact that the number of Americans on food stamps has exploded from 26 million in 2007 to 43 million today, one can only imagine how much JP Morgan's profits in this area have soared. But doesn't this give JP Morgan an incentive to keep the number of Americans enrolled in the food stamp program as high as possible?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
How the new tax law may affect you - Fidelity Investments
How the new tax law may affect you - Fidelity InvestmentsWhat it means for your take-home pay, investments, and more.
How the new tax laws may affect you
After weeks of heated Congressional negotiations on Capitol Hill, President Obama has signed the tax bill into law. The new law temporarily extends the 2001 and 2003 federal income tax rate cuts, extends unemployment insurance for 13 months, provides new payroll tax breaks, reinstates the estate tax, and more.
The good news: The new law will give taxpayers a bit of clarity—and an opportunity to plan with relative confidence knowing that the playing field won’t change dramatically, at least for two years. But beyond that, an increase in the Medicare tax for upper-income Americans is slated for 2013. And more changes are likely in the future, given the pressure to raise revenues to reduce the deficit, and talk of sweeping tax reform.
“Passage of this tax law ensures that individuals at all income levels won’t face an automatic tax increase in January,” says Shahira Knight, Fidelity’s vice president of government relations. “The law provides taxpayers with some certainty, but Congress will be back at the table having the same debate in two years”
So what can you do now? Let’s take a look at how the new law may impact you in four key areas: your take-home pay, your investments, your estate and gifting plans, and, if you’re over age 70½, qualified charitable distributions from your IRA. We’ll summarize what’s changed, and what you should be thinking about for both year-end and longer-term tax planning.
One important caveat: An extension of the minimum required distribution (MRD) suspension is not part of the new tax law, so retirees must take applicable MRDs for 2010 or face a hefty penalty.
New tax law
How it affects your take-home pay
NEW—Payroll tax relief: There is now a 2 percentage point reduction in an employee’s share of the Social Security portion of the FICA tax, from 6.2% to 4.2%, in 2011. So, if you make $80,000 a year, you could take home an additional $1,600 a year in 2011.
What to consider now:
* Increase any tax-advantaged retirement account contributions: If you are not already maximizing pretax contributions to your 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, or other workplace savings plan, consider increasing your payroll deduction by 2%, or at least enough to garner the full company match. In 2010 and 2011 you can contribute up to $16,500 to 401(k) plans (up to $22,000 if you’re 50 or older), and $5,000 to IRAs ($6,000 for ages 50 and older). Fidelity believes this is a smart plan of action, unless you have high interest-rate credit card debt. If so, consider using the extra money from the payroll tax relief to pay down your plastic first.
What to consider going forward:
* Automatic increases in your workplace savings plan: If you are still not maximizing your workplace savings contributions, consider increasing automatic payroll deductions in 2011.
* If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) with Fidelity, you can review and increase you contribution rate, or sign up for automatic increases, on NetBenefits (log in required).
Extended—2001 and 2003 income tax cuts: The new tax law provides a two-year extension of the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era income tax cuts (through 2012), regardless of a person’s income level. This means there will be no change in the income tax rates for the next two years although the alternative minimum tax (AMT) patch extends only through 2011 and is not indexed for inflation in 2011.
What to consider now:
* A Roth IRA conversion: You may want to consider converting a traditional IRA or other eligible retirement balance to a Roth IRA1 before December 31, 2010. For conversions made in 2010, because of a special one-time tax rule, you can elect to either pay the entire tax bill on your 2010 return or pay it over the next two years by splitting the taxable income generated evenly between your 2011 and 2012 tax returns. The extension of the current tax rates may make the latter a better option. However, although spreading out the tax bill from your conversion over two years may sound appealing, there are other considerations to take into account, so you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. Read: Two-year tax window on Roth conversions.
* Your income and deductions: Tax advisers often suggest that those who itemize deductions should defer income into future tax years while accelerating deductions into the current tax year. While you may end up with virtually the same tax bill, you would pay it at a later date. In the meantime, you may be able to benefit from the use of that money. Since tax rates will stay the same next year, this popular year-end tax move may be helpful in 2010 and 2011 as well, with one important exception. If you are or may be subject to the AMT, you may be better off doing the opposite. As always, you should consult your tax adviser. And don’t dally: You only have until December 31, 2010, to make these moves.
Extended—AMT relief: There is now a two-year extension (through 2011) of the AMT "patch".
How it affects your investments
Extended—Capital gains tax: The top rate on long-term capital gains will remain at 15% for the next two years.
Extended—Qualified dividends tax: The top rate for qualified dividends—those on certain stocks held longer than 60 days—will remain at 15% for the next two years.
What to consider now:
* Employ an effective tax-loss harvesting strategy: Tax-loss harvesting is the practice of selling investments that have lost value to offset current-and future-year capital gains. Unlike one-time or occasional-loss sales, however, a systematic tax-loss harvesting strategy requires diligent investment tracking and detailed tax accounting. Read: Reduce the tax hit on your investments.
* Exploit the 0% capital gains rate: You also may have the opportunity to eliminate taxes on the capital gains you realize from taxable accounts. In 2010, taxpayers in the 10% and 15% federal income tax brackets can realize long-term capital gains (and qualified dividends) without triggering capital gains taxes. (In 2010, the 15% bracket tops out at $68,000 of taxable income for married couples filing jointly.) The result: If your taxable income falls into the two lowest tax brackets, selling stocks held longer than a year may be a highly tax-efficient way to generate cash flow. If you’re retired, this strategy may be most advantageous if you have a relatively high proportion of your retirement assets in taxable accounts.
What to consider going forward:
* Plan ahead for future tax increases: No one can predict how or when tax rates might rise or what form proposed tax reforms may take. But at least one new tax is already slated to hit the net investment income of upper-income taxpayers in 2013: an additional 3.8% Medicare tax, which will affect married couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of more than $250,000 ($200,000 for single filers). The tax will apply to the lesser of net investment income or MAGI over the threshold. Investment income would include income from interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, rents, and royalties.
It’s not too soon to begin preparing for this 2013 tax change. You’ll want to consider maximizing savings in tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s, because withdrawals from them will not be included when determining investment income for the new Medicare tax. Further, qualifying Roth IRA withdrawals aren’t considered investment income or an addition to your MAGI under current law—possibly making conversions and contributions to Roth-type accounts more relevant for the near term. If you don’t have a Roth IRA, you may want to consider converting to one. Get the details in Viewpoints: Tax-savvy Roth IRA conversions.
How it affects small businesses and the self-employed
NEW—Business Expensing: The new law provides for 100% expensing of qualified capital investments in 2011 and 50% expensing in 2012.
How it affects estate planning and gifting
NEW—Estate tax rate and exclusion: The new law reinstates the estate tax in 2011 and 2012 at a maximum rate of 35% with a $5 million exemption per person. This compares to a 45% maximum rate and $3.5 million exclusion in 2009. The new rules will sunset after 2012. Beginning in 2013, there will be a $1 million per person exclusion with a 55% estate and gift tax rate unless further legislation is enacted.
Here are some additional estate tax changes you should know about:
* Portability. New portability rules allow any unused exemption to be passed to a surviving spouse, so a married couple can exempt up to $10 million.
* Estates of decedents who died in 2010. The new law gives executors of these estates a choice: distribute assets to heirs estate-tax-free but with a carryover basis (generally the original purchase price), or step up the basis to the market value (generally at time of death) and pay the 35% rate on anything above the $5 million exemption. A step-up in basis means the value of an appreciated asset is readjusted at a higher market value for tax purposes upon inheritance versus what the value of the asset was when it was originally purchased.
* Gift Tax exemption. The new law reunifies the federal estate tax exemption and the federal gift tax exemption. This means that the new lifetime gift tax exemption is $5 million per person ($10 million per couple) beginning in 2011. Taxable gifts made in 2011 and 2012 will be taxed at the rate of 35%.
* Generation Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT). Beginning in 2011, the generation skipping transfer tax exemption will also be $5 million per person ($10 million per couple) with a 35% tax rate. Note: The GSTT is not portable.
* Extension of time for certain filings. The new law extends the time to file certain estate and gift tax returns to nine months after the enactment of the new law.
What to consider now:
* Make tax-smart charitable year-end contributions if you haven’t already. For this year, given the stock market’s gains, donating long-term appreciated securities may be a particularly tax-savvy strategy. As a general rule, donations of long-term appreciated securities (either stock or mutual funds) directly to a qualified charity are deductible at their fair market value on the date of contribution, and you don’t pay capital gains taxes on the donated security. For those considering a major gift in 2010 (or 2011), combining a charitable gift with a Roth IRA conversion may help offset the tax cost of the conversion and perhaps allow you to convert a larger amount at a lower tax cost. Read: Tax-savvy Roth IRA Conversions.
* Consider generation skipping transfers. The generation skipping transfer tax remains repealed for 2010. Individuals thinking of making gifts to grandchildren, gifts that would otherwise be subject to GST tax, have until December, 31, 2010, to complete these gifts.
* Weigh the tax elections for 2010 estates. Executors of 2010 estates over $5 million with highly appreciated assets should consider whether it may be better to subject the estate to the new law or choose the zero estate tax law of 2010. If you choose the former, the first $5 million of estate assets will be exempt from federal estate taxes, but any amount above $5 million may be subject to estate tax. However, the entire estate will receive a full step up in basis. If the latter is chosen, no federal estate tax will be assessed on the estate, but all of the estate assets may not receive a step-up in basis. In this case, the executor can allocate $3 million in basis adjustments for assets passing to a surviving spouse, and another $1.3 million in basis adjustments to property passing to a non-spouse. This is a complex decision. Contact your attorney, tax adviser, or your Fidelity Representative to understand your options.
What to consider going forward:
* Set up a meeting with your tax adviser or estate planning attorney to review your estate plan and make any necessary changes.
* Consider a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT): A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is an irrevocable trust that pays a fixed annuity to the grantor for a defined period, then pays the remainder to a non-charitable beneficiary. Contrary to expectations, the new law did not restrict GRATs. And, with the increased gift tax exemption, a grantor can now potentially put even more money into a GRAT without having to pay gift taxes. Current low interest rates are also beneficial to GRATs, because they help increase the value of the annuity while lowering the value of the remainder interest. So, the grantor may potentially use even less of the new gift tax exemption. As always, consult your Fidelity representative or speak with your attorney or tax adviser before making any decisions.
How it affects retirees
Extended—qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs: The new tax law extends provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that allow investors age 70½ or older to make a qualified distribution of up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to a qualified charity for both 2010 and 2011.
Not extended—Minimum Required Distribution (MRD) suspension: The new tax law does not extend the 2009 suspension of MRDs. Retirees are generally required to take MRDs from their retirement accounts for the year in which they turn 70½, and all subsequent years, by December 31. Failure to comply with this IRS regulation could result in a 50% penalty on the amount that should have been distributed.
What to consider now:
* Make sure you take an MRD in 2010. If you’re 70½ or over, take a moment to ensure you’ve met your MRD obligation for 2010. If you were born before July 1, 1939, your 2010 MRD deadline is December 31, 2010. If you were born between July 1, 1939, and June 30, 1940, your deadline is April 1, 2011. Just remember, you’ll have to take two MRDs in 2011 (one for 2010 and one for 2011).
* Think about QCDs and MRDs together. Qualified charitable distributions from IRAs made directly to qualifying charities count toward any MRD. For example, if you have a $75,000 MRD for 2010, you can make an IRA distribution of up to $100,000 directly to a qualifying charity and $75,000 of that $100,000 is counted as your MRD.
* One other important note: Any QCDs made through January 2011 can count towards your 2010 MRD, but if you already took your MRD in 2010, it appears you cannot take advantage of the QCD this year. However, if you still have to take your 2010 RMD, you may make a 2010 QCD and have it count toward your MRD even if you don’t complete it until next year.
What to consider going forward:
* QCDs will count as MRDs in 2011, so you may want to consider making two QCDs: one in 2010 and one in 2011.
* Talk to your tax adviser about IRA strategies for 2011. If you are a high-net-worth investor with high IRA balances, next year may be a tax-efficient time to give away some of that money.
Next steps
* Learn more about tax-advantaged retirement accounts and charitable giving options for year-end.
* Make a plan to attend a tax-smart investing seminar in the New Year to help you plan for future taxes.
* Review tax-savings strategies in our Tax Center.
* If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) with Fidelity, you can review and increase you contribution rate, or sign up for automatic increases, on NetBenefits (log in required).
* Speak to a Fidelity representative at 1-800-343-3548.
Views expressed are as of 12/17/2010 and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments.
The tax and estate planning information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. Fidelity cannot guarantee that such information is accurate, complete, or timely. Laws of a particular state or laws that may be applicable to a particular situation may have an impact on the applicability, accuracy, or completeness of such information. Federal and state laws and regulations are complex and are subject to change. Changes in such laws and regulations may have a material impact on pre- and/or after-tax investment results. Fidelity makes no warranties with regard to such information or results obtained by its use. Fidelity disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.
1. A distribution from a Roth IRA is tax free and penalty free provided that the five-year aging requirement has been satisfied and at least one of the following conditions is met: you reach age 59½, die, become disabled, or make a qualified first-time home purchase.
How the new tax laws may affect you
After weeks of heated Congressional negotiations on Capitol Hill, President Obama has signed the tax bill into law. The new law temporarily extends the 2001 and 2003 federal income tax rate cuts, extends unemployment insurance for 13 months, provides new payroll tax breaks, reinstates the estate tax, and more.
The good news: The new law will give taxpayers a bit of clarity—and an opportunity to plan with relative confidence knowing that the playing field won’t change dramatically, at least for two years. But beyond that, an increase in the Medicare tax for upper-income Americans is slated for 2013. And more changes are likely in the future, given the pressure to raise revenues to reduce the deficit, and talk of sweeping tax reform.
“Passage of this tax law ensures that individuals at all income levels won’t face an automatic tax increase in January,” says Shahira Knight, Fidelity’s vice president of government relations. “The law provides taxpayers with some certainty, but Congress will be back at the table having the same debate in two years”
So what can you do now? Let’s take a look at how the new law may impact you in four key areas: your take-home pay, your investments, your estate and gifting plans, and, if you’re over age 70½, qualified charitable distributions from your IRA. We’ll summarize what’s changed, and what you should be thinking about for both year-end and longer-term tax planning.
One important caveat: An extension of the minimum required distribution (MRD) suspension is not part of the new tax law, so retirees must take applicable MRDs for 2010 or face a hefty penalty.
New tax law
How it affects your take-home pay
NEW—Payroll tax relief: There is now a 2 percentage point reduction in an employee’s share of the Social Security portion of the FICA tax, from 6.2% to 4.2%, in 2011. So, if you make $80,000 a year, you could take home an additional $1,600 a year in 2011.
What to consider now:
* Increase any tax-advantaged retirement account contributions: If you are not already maximizing pretax contributions to your 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, or other workplace savings plan, consider increasing your payroll deduction by 2%, or at least enough to garner the full company match. In 2010 and 2011 you can contribute up to $16,500 to 401(k) plans (up to $22,000 if you’re 50 or older), and $5,000 to IRAs ($6,000 for ages 50 and older). Fidelity believes this is a smart plan of action, unless you have high interest-rate credit card debt. If so, consider using the extra money from the payroll tax relief to pay down your plastic first.
What to consider going forward:
* Automatic increases in your workplace savings plan: If you are still not maximizing your workplace savings contributions, consider increasing automatic payroll deductions in 2011.
* If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) with Fidelity, you can review and increase you contribution rate, or sign up for automatic increases, on NetBenefits (log in required).
Extended—2001 and 2003 income tax cuts: The new tax law provides a two-year extension of the 2001 and 2003 Bush-era income tax cuts (through 2012), regardless of a person’s income level. This means there will be no change in the income tax rates for the next two years although the alternative minimum tax (AMT) patch extends only through 2011 and is not indexed for inflation in 2011.
What to consider now:
* A Roth IRA conversion: You may want to consider converting a traditional IRA or other eligible retirement balance to a Roth IRA1 before December 31, 2010. For conversions made in 2010, because of a special one-time tax rule, you can elect to either pay the entire tax bill on your 2010 return or pay it over the next two years by splitting the taxable income generated evenly between your 2011 and 2012 tax returns. The extension of the current tax rates may make the latter a better option. However, although spreading out the tax bill from your conversion over two years may sound appealing, there are other considerations to take into account, so you should carefully weigh the pros and cons. Read: Two-year tax window on Roth conversions.
* Your income and deductions: Tax advisers often suggest that those who itemize deductions should defer income into future tax years while accelerating deductions into the current tax year. While you may end up with virtually the same tax bill, you would pay it at a later date. In the meantime, you may be able to benefit from the use of that money. Since tax rates will stay the same next year, this popular year-end tax move may be helpful in 2010 and 2011 as well, with one important exception. If you are or may be subject to the AMT, you may be better off doing the opposite. As always, you should consult your tax adviser. And don’t dally: You only have until December 31, 2010, to make these moves.
Extended—AMT relief: There is now a two-year extension (through 2011) of the AMT "patch".
How it affects your investments
Extended—Capital gains tax: The top rate on long-term capital gains will remain at 15% for the next two years.
Extended—Qualified dividends tax: The top rate for qualified dividends—those on certain stocks held longer than 60 days—will remain at 15% for the next two years.
What to consider now:
* Employ an effective tax-loss harvesting strategy: Tax-loss harvesting is the practice of selling investments that have lost value to offset current-and future-year capital gains. Unlike one-time or occasional-loss sales, however, a systematic tax-loss harvesting strategy requires diligent investment tracking and detailed tax accounting. Read: Reduce the tax hit on your investments.
* Exploit the 0% capital gains rate: You also may have the opportunity to eliminate taxes on the capital gains you realize from taxable accounts. In 2010, taxpayers in the 10% and 15% federal income tax brackets can realize long-term capital gains (and qualified dividends) without triggering capital gains taxes. (In 2010, the 15% bracket tops out at $68,000 of taxable income for married couples filing jointly.) The result: If your taxable income falls into the two lowest tax brackets, selling stocks held longer than a year may be a highly tax-efficient way to generate cash flow. If you’re retired, this strategy may be most advantageous if you have a relatively high proportion of your retirement assets in taxable accounts.
What to consider going forward:
* Plan ahead for future tax increases: No one can predict how or when tax rates might rise or what form proposed tax reforms may take. But at least one new tax is already slated to hit the net investment income of upper-income taxpayers in 2013: an additional 3.8% Medicare tax, which will affect married couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of more than $250,000 ($200,000 for single filers). The tax will apply to the lesser of net investment income or MAGI over the threshold. Investment income would include income from interest, dividends, capital gains, annuities, rents, and royalties.
It’s not too soon to begin preparing for this 2013 tax change. You’ll want to consider maximizing savings in tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s, because withdrawals from them will not be included when determining investment income for the new Medicare tax. Further, qualifying Roth IRA withdrawals aren’t considered investment income or an addition to your MAGI under current law—possibly making conversions and contributions to Roth-type accounts more relevant for the near term. If you don’t have a Roth IRA, you may want to consider converting to one. Get the details in Viewpoints: Tax-savvy Roth IRA conversions.
How it affects small businesses and the self-employed
NEW—Business Expensing: The new law provides for 100% expensing of qualified capital investments in 2011 and 50% expensing in 2012.
How it affects estate planning and gifting
NEW—Estate tax rate and exclusion: The new law reinstates the estate tax in 2011 and 2012 at a maximum rate of 35% with a $5 million exemption per person. This compares to a 45% maximum rate and $3.5 million exclusion in 2009. The new rules will sunset after 2012. Beginning in 2013, there will be a $1 million per person exclusion with a 55% estate and gift tax rate unless further legislation is enacted.
Here are some additional estate tax changes you should know about:
* Portability. New portability rules allow any unused exemption to be passed to a surviving spouse, so a married couple can exempt up to $10 million.
* Estates of decedents who died in 2010. The new law gives executors of these estates a choice: distribute assets to heirs estate-tax-free but with a carryover basis (generally the original purchase price), or step up the basis to the market value (generally at time of death) and pay the 35% rate on anything above the $5 million exemption. A step-up in basis means the value of an appreciated asset is readjusted at a higher market value for tax purposes upon inheritance versus what the value of the asset was when it was originally purchased.
* Gift Tax exemption. The new law reunifies the federal estate tax exemption and the federal gift tax exemption. This means that the new lifetime gift tax exemption is $5 million per person ($10 million per couple) beginning in 2011. Taxable gifts made in 2011 and 2012 will be taxed at the rate of 35%.
* Generation Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT). Beginning in 2011, the generation skipping transfer tax exemption will also be $5 million per person ($10 million per couple) with a 35% tax rate. Note: The GSTT is not portable.
* Extension of time for certain filings. The new law extends the time to file certain estate and gift tax returns to nine months after the enactment of the new law.
What to consider now:
* Make tax-smart charitable year-end contributions if you haven’t already. For this year, given the stock market’s gains, donating long-term appreciated securities may be a particularly tax-savvy strategy. As a general rule, donations of long-term appreciated securities (either stock or mutual funds) directly to a qualified charity are deductible at their fair market value on the date of contribution, and you don’t pay capital gains taxes on the donated security. For those considering a major gift in 2010 (or 2011), combining a charitable gift with a Roth IRA conversion may help offset the tax cost of the conversion and perhaps allow you to convert a larger amount at a lower tax cost. Read: Tax-savvy Roth IRA Conversions.
* Consider generation skipping transfers. The generation skipping transfer tax remains repealed for 2010. Individuals thinking of making gifts to grandchildren, gifts that would otherwise be subject to GST tax, have until December, 31, 2010, to complete these gifts.
* Weigh the tax elections for 2010 estates. Executors of 2010 estates over $5 million with highly appreciated assets should consider whether it may be better to subject the estate to the new law or choose the zero estate tax law of 2010. If you choose the former, the first $5 million of estate assets will be exempt from federal estate taxes, but any amount above $5 million may be subject to estate tax. However, the entire estate will receive a full step up in basis. If the latter is chosen, no federal estate tax will be assessed on the estate, but all of the estate assets may not receive a step-up in basis. In this case, the executor can allocate $3 million in basis adjustments for assets passing to a surviving spouse, and another $1.3 million in basis adjustments to property passing to a non-spouse. This is a complex decision. Contact your attorney, tax adviser, or your Fidelity Representative to understand your options.
What to consider going forward:
* Set up a meeting with your tax adviser or estate planning attorney to review your estate plan and make any necessary changes.
* Consider a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT): A Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) is an irrevocable trust that pays a fixed annuity to the grantor for a defined period, then pays the remainder to a non-charitable beneficiary. Contrary to expectations, the new law did not restrict GRATs. And, with the increased gift tax exemption, a grantor can now potentially put even more money into a GRAT without having to pay gift taxes. Current low interest rates are also beneficial to GRATs, because they help increase the value of the annuity while lowering the value of the remainder interest. So, the grantor may potentially use even less of the new gift tax exemption. As always, consult your Fidelity representative or speak with your attorney or tax adviser before making any decisions.
How it affects retirees
Extended—qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs: The new tax law extends provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 that allow investors age 70½ or older to make a qualified distribution of up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to a qualified charity for both 2010 and 2011.
Not extended—Minimum Required Distribution (MRD) suspension: The new tax law does not extend the 2009 suspension of MRDs. Retirees are generally required to take MRDs from their retirement accounts for the year in which they turn 70½, and all subsequent years, by December 31. Failure to comply with this IRS regulation could result in a 50% penalty on the amount that should have been distributed.
What to consider now:
* Make sure you take an MRD in 2010. If you’re 70½ or over, take a moment to ensure you’ve met your MRD obligation for 2010. If you were born before July 1, 1939, your 2010 MRD deadline is December 31, 2010. If you were born between July 1, 1939, and June 30, 1940, your deadline is April 1, 2011. Just remember, you’ll have to take two MRDs in 2011 (one for 2010 and one for 2011).
* Think about QCDs and MRDs together. Qualified charitable distributions from IRAs made directly to qualifying charities count toward any MRD. For example, if you have a $75,000 MRD for 2010, you can make an IRA distribution of up to $100,000 directly to a qualifying charity and $75,000 of that $100,000 is counted as your MRD.
* One other important note: Any QCDs made through January 2011 can count towards your 2010 MRD, but if you already took your MRD in 2010, it appears you cannot take advantage of the QCD this year. However, if you still have to take your 2010 RMD, you may make a 2010 QCD and have it count toward your MRD even if you don’t complete it until next year.
What to consider going forward:
* QCDs will count as MRDs in 2011, so you may want to consider making two QCDs: one in 2010 and one in 2011.
* Talk to your tax adviser about IRA strategies for 2011. If you are a high-net-worth investor with high IRA balances, next year may be a tax-efficient time to give away some of that money.
Next steps
* Learn more about tax-advantaged retirement accounts and charitable giving options for year-end.
* Make a plan to attend a tax-smart investing seminar in the New Year to help you plan for future taxes.
* Review tax-savings strategies in our Tax Center.
* If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) with Fidelity, you can review and increase you contribution rate, or sign up for automatic increases, on NetBenefits (log in required).
* Speak to a Fidelity representative at 1-800-343-3548.
Views expressed are as of 12/17/2010 and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments.
The tax and estate planning information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. Fidelity cannot guarantee that such information is accurate, complete, or timely. Laws of a particular state or laws that may be applicable to a particular situation may have an impact on the applicability, accuracy, or completeness of such information. Federal and state laws and regulations are complex and are subject to change. Changes in such laws and regulations may have a material impact on pre- and/or after-tax investment results. Fidelity makes no warranties with regard to such information or results obtained by its use. Fidelity disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation.
1. A distribution from a Roth IRA is tax free and penalty free provided that the five-year aging requirement has been satisfied and at least one of the following conditions is met: you reach age 59½, die, become disabled, or make a qualified first-time home purchase.
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