Thursday, January 3, 2013

Tax Hoops in 2013

Here are the key points of the new tax law agreed to by the Obama Administration and Congress.
  • Married couples with income over $450,000 and singles with $400,000 of income will have a top tax rate of 39.6%.
  • The next highest rate is 33%. All tax rates do not expire on a specific date.
  • Deductions and exemptions start to phase out for married couples with $300,000+ of income. This makes the real top rate 41% and 34.2% for those in the 33% bracket.
  • The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) now has a permanent patch. Increases to the $78,75o exemption are now tied to inflation, similar to Social Security benefits.
  • The estate tax was raised to 40% but the $5,000,000 exemption for each spouse and transferability remain.
  • Capital gains and dividends rates go up to 20%. Those with income above certain levels will also pay an additional 3.8% Health Care Tax to pay for Obama Care.
  • Businesses will have additional tax breaks. Section 179 limit for expensing equipment is $500,000 for 2013. There is also a 50% bonus depreciation for new equipment.
  • S corps that were converted from C corps will be allowed to waive the built in gains tax for assets sales completed in 2013.
  • Pay roll taxes go back up to their normal 6.2%. They had been 2% lower for the past 3 years.
  • State income taxes or local sales taxes can be deducted on your annual tax return.
  • Up to $2 million of forgiven mortgage debt on a principal residence will not be taxable in 2013. This special provision was scheduled to expire on December 31st, 2012 but was brought back for one more year.

Disclosure

PETERSON WEALTH ADVISORY, LLC IS A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISOR. INFORMATION PRESENTED IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT INTEND TO MAKE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION FOR THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF ANY SECURITIES. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. INVESTMENTS INVOLVE RISK AND UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, ARE NOT GUARANTEED. BE SURE TO FIRST CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED FINANCIAL ADVISER AND/OR TAX PROFESSIONAL BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY STRATEGY DISCUSSED HERE.