General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSince President Obama's reelection, the top rate of income tax on the rich has increased by 4.6%.
The top rate of tax on interest income for the rich has increased by 8.4%.
The top rate of tax on capital gains and dividends for the rich has increased by 8.8%.
I think a lot of people forget this. This post was inspired by a post earlier today that insisted solemnly that the "top rate of tax on dividends" was "permanently lowered to 15%". Well it may have been 15% in 2012 but in 2013 it is 23.8%.
Like many of his achievements, Obama did not make much of a song and dance about this. And the Republicans tend to keep quiet about this embarrassing defeat for them, too. But we shouldn't forget it.
Deep13
(39,154 posts)He still should have let the Bush tax cuts expire.
Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)they are also being socked with extra taxes on unearned income to pay for Obamacare.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)Expiration of Bush tax cuts for individuals earning $400,000 or more and couples earning $450,000 or more:
For individuals with taxable income of $400,000 per year or less ($450,000 for a married couple on a joint tax return, both thresholds to be indexed for inflation after 2013),[1] the tax rates for income, capital gains, and dividends remained at their 2012 levels, instead of reverting to the higher rates from the expiration of the Bush tax cuts.[2][3]
For individuals with taxable income over the $400,000/$450,000 thresholds:
-The top marginal tax rate on income of 39.6%, provided for under the expiration of the 2001 portion of the Bush tax cuts, was retained. This was an increase from the 20032012 rate of 35%.[2]
- The top marginal tax rate on long-term capital gains of 20%, provided for under the expiration of the 2003 portion of the Bush tax cuts, was retained. This was an increase from the 20032012 rate of 15%.[3]
- The top marginal tax rate on dividends, which would have increased to the ordinary income rate of 39.6% due to the expiration of the 2003 portion of the Bush tax cuts, was set to the capital-gains rate of 20%. This was an increase from the 20032012 rate of 15%.[3]
A phase-out of tax deductions and credits for incomes over $250,000 for individuals and $300,000 for couples was reinstated. Limits on deductions had existed before the Bush tax cuts, and had disappeared in 2010.[2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Taxpayer_Relief_Act_of_2012
3.8% surtax for the wealthy on capital gains, dividends and interest income:
Surtax on unearned income. The Affordable Care Act will add a 3.8% surtax on net investment income over the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) threshold of $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filers. Net investment income includes interest, dividends, royalties, rental income, gross income from a trade or business involving passive activities, and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in a trade or business). With the new surtax, long-term capital gains and qualified dividends are taxed at a top rate of 23.8%, while non-qualified dividends, interest and rental income are taxed at a top ordinary rate of 43.4%. This does not include the "stealth tax," related to the phase-out of personal exemptions and itemized deductions for high earners, or the marginal rate "marriage penalty" that's set to come back for tax years beginning after December 31, 2012.
http://www.schwab.com/public/schwab/resource_center/expert_insight/personal_finance/tax/healthcare_taxes.html
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)That's huge. There was no "let" about it. It took everything the dems had to get that. I'll be sure and tell Obama to wave his magic wand and get the social security cap raised and climate change legislation passed.
okaawhatever
(9,462 posts)Deep13
(39,154 posts)The tax cuts had a built-in expiration date.
BluegrassStateBlues
(881 posts)riqster
(13,986 posts)gopiscrap
(23,761 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)While some may find it personally satisfying for the rich to leave the USA en masse and settle in Bermuda, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Caymans, or elsewhere, it probably would not be the greatest thing for our economy.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)LonePirate
(13,425 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)I think "carried interest" will be gone. And that's the biggest one.