The Fiscal Cliff deal will likely affect every taxpayer. Below are the effects it could have on your taxes:
1. Payroll Taxes: Wage earners will pay 6.2% in payroll tax on their first $113,700 in wages as opposed to the 4.2% rate that has been the payroll tax rate for the past two years.
2. Tax Rates: Individual taxes are going up for filers with incomes above $400,000 and couples above $450,000. Upper class taxpayers will pay 39.6% above the threshold. In the past, they paid 35% since 2001.
3. Investment Taxes: Capital gains and dividend tax rates for filers earning more than $400,000 or $450,000 for couples will increase from 15% to 20%. Taxpayers in the lowest bracket will pay 0% and all others will pay 15%.
4. Family Tax Breaks: President Obama’s Recovery Act has been extended for five years including:
a. American Opportunity Tax Credit: a partially refundable credit of up to $2,500 per year for four years for low-income families.
b. Child Tax Credit: Low-income parents can claim as much as $1,000 per child under 17.
c. Earned Income Tax Credit: provides a credit for working American with low- and moderate-incomes.
d. Expanded Dependent Care Credit: allows certain taxpayers to deduct up to 35% of expenses to a max of $6,000 for two children (permanently extended).
5. Itemized Deductions/Personal Exemption: Taxpayers who make $250,000 and above and couples who make $300,000 and above will soon be limited with the personal exemptions and itemized deductions they can take.
6. Alternative Minimum Tax: The income exemption level will be permanently adjusted for inflation.
7. Estate Taxes: The estate tax exemption will remain at $5.12 million and will be indexed to inflation going forward.
8. Marriage Penalty: Married couples will continue to receive a deduction that is twice that of individuals and income ranges for the 10% and 15% tax brackets are also doubled.
9. Debt Forgiveness: Homeowners who receive principal forgiveness or go through a short sale or foreclosure will not have to pay tax on the amount of debt forgiven. This will extend for one year.
10. Tax Breaks: Filers can continue to deduct state and local sales taxes. This deal extends to a bevy of tax breaks.
To read more on this story visit: http://economy.money.cnn.com/2013/01/02/taxes-fiscal-cliff/?iid=SF_PF_River
If you are in a financial crisis and are considering filing bankruptcy, contact an experienced attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. at www.miamibankruptcy.com.