The Bush tax cuts of 2001 will expire beginning in January 2011. In addition tax rate reduction acts enacted by Congress in 2003 and 2006 providing tax rate reduction on dividends and capital gains will also expire on December 31, 2010, and the tax rates will revert to 2001 rates unless the provisions are extended or made permanent. In addition, the recent health care legislation adds a surcharge on investment income beginning in 2013 of 3.8% on income greater than $250,000. The charts below outline the possible upcoming Federal tax rates and their impact on different investments. Note that the CA tax rates are not included:
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2013 | Increase 2010 – 2013 |
| Qualified Dividends | 15.0% | 39.6% | 43.4% | 189% |
| Ordinary Income | 35.0% | 39.6% | 43.4% | 24% |
| Long-Term Capital Gains | 15.0% | 20.0% | 23.8% | 59% |
| Short-Term Capital Gains | 35.0% | 39.6% | 43.4% | 24% |
How Much Will You Keep?
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2013 | Increase 2010 – 2013 |
| 10-year treasury | 2.92% | 1.90% | 1.76% | 1.65% |
| A Corporate | 4.16% | 2.70% | 2.51% | 2.35% |
| High-Yield Municipal | 6.81% | 6.81% | 6.81% | 6.81% |
It may make sense to consider increasing income into 2010 if possible at the lower rates, and accelerating long-term capital gains that you might be considering selling to take advantage of the lower rates.
