Congress sealed a deal Wednesday night to end the partial government shutdown and raise the nation’s debt ceiling for the near term. President Obama signed the bill, after the House voted 285 to 144, to re-open the government, fund operations through January 15, 2014, and raise the borrowing limit through February 7. Although bill opponents
A landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision this year recognized that same-sex married couples have the right to receive certain federal benefits and tax filing considerations that go to all married couples under federal law. The court ruled on June 26, 2013, that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which prohibited the federal government from recognizing
Congress is debating proposals to fund the federal government past September 30, amid efforts to defund the Affordable Care Act. Here are some of the leading questions about the continuing resolution that keeps the government operating and about the related debt ceiling debates on Capitol Hill. 1. What is a continuing resolution (CR)? A CR
From a series of meetings and presentations with investors and advisors around the country in the first three months of this year, tax uncertainty has emerged as the leading financial planning concern. While the passage of federal tax legislation in January brought some clarity, many clients still find aspects of the current law confusing and
Beginning in 2014, businesses with more than 50 full-time employees will be required to provide health insurance coverage or face a penalty, as the federal health-care reform legislation continues to be implemented. Some businesses already offering health insurance may also face a penalty if the coverage does not meet certain thresholds outlined in the law.
Health-care reform legislation introduced a payroll tax increase and a new Medicare surtax this year. While the rise in payroll tax was automatic for taxpayers with a specific income level, the 3.8% investment surtax does not apply to all forms of income. There are several types of income that are not affected by the tax
New taxes took effect this year as a result of the 2010 health-care reform legislation that may have an impact on tax-planning strategies. As of January, the Medicare payroll tax increased to 2.35% from 1.45%. In addition, a 3.8% surtax on “net investment income” was also introduced to help fund health-care reform. Both taxes affect
Limitations on tax deductions for high earners and a reduction in expected Social Security benefits are among many provisions in President Obama’s FY 2014 budget proposal. The $3.77 trillion budget, released this week proposes more than $1 trillion in savings from spending cuts, entitlement reforms, and interest savings. Additional revenue from reforming the tax code
The new federal tax law expands the use of Roth IRAs in retirement plans, opening the door for tax diversification. Roth savings accounts were introduced to 401(k) plans by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. This law allowed for the designation of a Roth 401(k) plan beginning in 2006. These plans
While the House this week approved a budget plan for FY 2014, the Senate continues to debate a starkly different proposal. As the budget process progresses, neither plan is likely to garner bipartisan approval, but the proposals illustrate the differences between the two political parties. Not surprisingly, long-term deficit reduction is a priority in both