Friday, September 28, 2012

THE TAXMAN COMETH
Hugh Wood, Atlanta, GA

                The Era of USA low taxes is in sunset.  The tax hammer is upon us.
               Why editorialize it. 

                2013% INCREASES IN FEDERAL TAX BRACKETS
                For those of us who actually pay taxes, federal taxes in 2012, are, to wit:  “Marginal federal income-tax rates (for the four brackets)  [are]  25%  28%  33%  35.”  [1]
                After January 1, 2013, they will rise to:
                The “marginal federal income-tax rates (for the four brackets) [will jump to] …28%  31%  36%  39.6%. The child tax credit [will] fall to $500 from $1,000.   Id.
                A MEDICAL TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDEND INCOME
                After January 1, 2013, individuals will see a new tax for medical care imposed on capital gains and dividend income.   “[T]he new 3.8% MedicalCare tax, and those rates on capital gains and dividends [will jump] to 23.8% and (in the top bracket) 43.4%.   Id.
                From other sources, additional relevant tax hammers are:
                A NEW SURTAX ON INVESTMENT INCOME
                The 2013 a new Surtax on Investment Income – will bring a $123 billion tax increase: This is a new, 3.8% point surtax on investment income earned will impact households making at least $250,000 ($200,000 single). This will result in the following top tax rates on investment income:

 
Capital Gains
Dividends
Other*
2012
15%
15%
35%
2013+ (current law)
23.8%
43.4%
43.4%

                The table above also incorporates the scheduled hike in the capital gains rate from 15% to 20%, and the scheduled hike in dividends rate from 15% to 39.6%.  [2]
                MEDICARE PAYROLL TAX:  3.8% UP TO $250,000
                The new 2013 Medicare Payroll Tax Hike – will bring an $86.8 billion tax increase: The Medicare payroll tax is currently 2.9% on all wages and self-employment profits. Under this tax hike, wages and profits exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married couples) will face a 3.8% rate instead. This is a direct marginal income tax hike on small business owners, who are liable for self-employment tax in most cases. The table below compares current law vs. the 2013 Medicare Payroll Tax Hike:
 
First $200,000 ($250,000 Married) Employer/Employee
All Remaining Wages
Employer/Employee
Current Law
1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed
1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed
2013 Tax Hike
1.45%/1.45%
2.9% self-employed
1.45%/2.35%
3.8% self-employed

Id.
                THE DEATH TAX RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE (55%)
                Under federal estate tax law for 2011 and 2012, most of the wealthiest 1% of American households are not subject to estate tax liability. The large estate tax exemption is presently at $5.12 million per spouse. This means that with nominal planning households worth less than $10.24 million can avoid the estate tax.  
                Under the new January 1, 2013 Estate Tax scheme, taxable estates over $1 million will be subject to estate tax.  The maximum marginal tax rate of 55% will begin at $3 million.  [3]  So, put that  55% tax in your tax hat and smoke it.  [4]
                Why editorialize this.   The tax hammer is upon us.
Hugh Wood, Esq.
Wood & Meredith, LLP
3756 LaVista Road
Suite 250
Atlanta (Tucker), GA 30084
www.woodandmeredith.com

hwood@woodandmeredith.com
www.hughwood.blogspot.com
twitter: USALawyer_
Phone: 404-633-4100
Fax: 404-633-0068

 
[1]
Pethokoukis, James, The American Enterprise Institute, August 1, 2012.

[2]
Americans for Tax Reform, September 2012

[3]
Forbes June 2012   See also, “Top Estate Tax Rates Set To Rise To 55 Percent In 2013.”  Gladstone, Beth, ReutersMoney.  Reuters.

[4]
While perhaps a bit extreme, consider the George Steinbrenner’s (owner of the NY Yankees at death) estate.  (1930-2010).   Steinbrenner’s estate was considered to be worth $1,100,000.000.00.   Dying in 2010 his estate paid zero (0%) estate taxes.   However, if Steinbrenner had died in 2013 his estate would pay $605,000.000.00 in estate taxes (less, an exemption of 10.5M which I did not bother to calculate).

So, under 2010 law his heirs divide:  $1,100,000.000.00.

But,

Under 2013 law, his heirs would divide only:  $495,000.000.00.   And, the US Treasury has to be paid IN CASH.  Thus, the Treasury gets all the cash and the estate (mostly) gets left with all the non-liquid assets.  In many cases, this is the non-liquid real estate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 comments:

Hugh Wood said...

It appears the Jan 1, 2013 legislation has changed some of these percentages. Also, though we don't have copy of the law (and the US Senate had it for less than 30 minutes when they voted on it), it appears the 5M may remain in place for estate tax. Yea.

Tom said...

This is a very thorough article. Thank you for sharing this information on tax practitioners. Look forward to get more informative posts, Thanks!
Tax Attorney