Events of the
last week could have been plot elements in a Tom Clancy novel. Tragically, they
were real and ratcheted geopolitical tensions higher around the globe.
On Wednesday, the
United States toughened sanctions against Russia. Bloomberg.com reported the new sanctions prevent specific Russian
companies from “…accessing U.S. equity or debt markets for new financing with
maturities longer than 90 days. They don’t otherwise prohibit U.S. companies or
individuals from doing business with the Russian firms.” The European Union
also introduced new sanctions although theirs were more modest than those of
the United States. Russian bond and stock markets
tumbled on the news.
Soon after, The Washington Post reported the new
sanctions were likely to have a more profound affect on Russia. “While earlier
sanctions, primarily against individuals, have been largely brushed off as an
inconvenience by their Russian targets, the new round appeared designed to
cause significant blows to the Russian economy and fundamentally alter its
global financial relationships.”
On Thursday, an
international commercial airliner carrying hundreds of passengers was shot down
over Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile. No one has acknowledged
responsibility; however, Ukrainian officials labeled the event an act of
terrorism as it happened in an area of Eastern Ukraine plagued by violence
associated with a pro-Russia separatist uprising. When this commentary was
written, it remained uncertain whether the crash was an act of aggression or a
tragic accident.
Understandably, investors
took the news poorly and fled to ‘safer’ investments. The Standard & Poor’s
500 Index lost 1.2 percent for the day – its biggest one-day drop since April.
Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields also dropped and the rate on Germany’s 10-year bond closed at a
record low. Stock market losses also reflected Israel’s ground offensive in
Gaza.
American markets
rebounded on Friday although geopolitical tensions continued to shadow economic
and earnings news.
as you’re plunking bait, lolliNg on the
beach, or paddling a stream, let
your thoughts turn to… taxes. Sure, it’s a lot easier not to think
about taxes until you have to, but by then it’s usually too late to do anything
that might make a difference. Late summer, when your blood pressure is nice and
low, is the perfect time to decide whether you need to take any steps to
prepare for this year’s taxes. Consider Forbes’
assessment of top tax brackets for 2014 before you stop reading:
Single taxpayers earning:
·
Over
$36,900 up to $89,350 may owe $5,081.25 plus 25 percent of the excess over
$36,900· Over $89,350 up to $186,350 may owe $18,193.75 plus 28 percent of the excess over $89,350
· Over $186,350 up to $405,100 may owe $45,353.75 plus 33 percent of the excess over $186,350
· Over $405,100 up to $406,750 may owe $117,541.25 plus 35 percent of the excess over $405,100
· Over $406,750 may owe $118,118.75 plus 39.6 percent of the excess over $406,750
Married taxpayers filing jointly and earning:
·
Over
$73,800 up to $148,850 may owe $10,162.50 plus 25 percent of the excess over
$73,800· Over $148,850 up to $226,850 may owe $28,925 plus 28 percent of the excess over $148,850
· Over $226,850 up to $405,100 may owe $50,765 plus 33 percent of the excess over $226,850
· Over $405,100 up to $457,600 may owe $109,587.50 plus 35 percent of the excess over $405,100
· Over $457,600 may owe $127,962.5 plus 39.6 percent of the excess over $457,600
Apologies
if your blood pressure just jumped higher. Take a deep breath and decide
whether these tips, offered by The Fiscal
Times, can help.
1. Manage your taxable income effectively. It may be
possible to reduce your taxable income by deferring it, making contributions to
pre-tax investments (like retirement accounts), and making gifts of income
producing investments or cash to family members.
2. Generate investment losses. Selling
depreciated assets can help generate losses and losses may offset capital
gains.
3. Accelerate income if you are subject to the
alternative minimum tax (AMT). Forbes
offered additional insight to this suggestion. “While a taxpayer’s regular
taxable income is subject to graduated rates with a low of 10 percent and a
high of 39.6 percent, AMT income is taxed at a flat 28 percent rate… And where
I come from, 28 percent is less than 39.6 percent. And it’s this variance that
gives rise to an often-overlooked planning opportunity.”
None
of the above is intended as tax advice. It’s food for thought. Before you do
anything, talk with a tax professional about your financial situation.
Weekly Focus – Think About It
“A closed mouth
catches no flies.”
--Miguel de Cervantes, Spanish novelist
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