We are in discussions with clients to consider, based on their objectives and decision, to accelerate taxable income and taxable gifts into 2010, as the certainty of retaining a 35% tax rate (for ordinary income and taxable gifts, and GST, and also the 15% dividend and long term capital gain rate) in 2011 is not free from doubt, despite the White House and Republican agreement announced Monday night.
Late on Dec. 6 a tentative agreement was reached (see major provisions below), however as we observe, it remains to be seen whether a majority of the House and Senate will ultimately concede to the agreement and enact it before the end of the year. Further, the agreement has not been scored by the Joint Committee on Taxation and there is no cited estimate of the cost of the agreement. (See related news: "Bush Tax Cut Deal: Obama Extends Cuts, Unemployment Benefits.")
Major provisions:
1. The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts would be extended at all income levels for two years (2011 and 2012), with a top rate of 35% on ordinary income, and 15% rate on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains.
2. Employees would receive a 2 percentage point Social Security payroll tax cut in 2011, reducing the rate to 4.2% from 6.2%.
3. The Making Work Pay tax credit would be allowed to expire.
4. Reinstatement of the estate tax for 2011 and 2012, with an exemption level of $5 million and a top rate of 35%. There is no cited provision as to whether the estate tax would be made retroactive for 2010.
5. "Traditional" tax extenders—including the research credit—would be extended for two years retroactively to 2010 and through the end of 2011. The agreement would also include a one-year, 100% accelerated deduction proposal.
