Follow Me On:

Subscribe to YOU Magazine and other timely market alerts from Brent Prockish.

		Brent Prockish Brent Prockish Team at Total Lending Concepts Phone: 913-444-9194 License: 229476 Brent@TLCLender.com www.BrentProckish.com

February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012		Fiscal Cliff The Saga Continues With the first of the year having come and gone, the headlines are suddenly devoid of mentions of the fiscal cliff, which begs the question: what happened? For such an enormous issue with such a dramatic narrative, the resolution was somewhat anti-climactic. The general consensus is that the compromise reached is something of a stopgap and that the issue will have to be revisited in the near future. Both those on the left and right have expressed dissatisfaction, which suggests that there's still a long way to go when it comes to striking that delicate balance between managing the deficit and making sure that economic growth remains robust. For all the talk of "nothing having been resolved," however, the bulk of consumers can expect to feel the effects when it comes to their personal finances. The two-point payroll tax cut from the Bush era has officially expired, which means more money withheld from the average paycheck, and individuals that make over $400,000 and couples that make over $450,000 will be subject to a 39.6% tax rate, replacing the previous 35%. Increases will also apply to individuals and couples who fall in the $500,000 to $1 million plus brackets, but for those making less than $400,000, the Bush era cuts will remain. Capital gains and dividend rates will rise from 15% to 20% for individuals making over $400,000 and joint-filers making over $450,000, while the estate and gift tax exemption will remain at $5 million for individuals and $10 million for married couples. As for housing, underwater borrowers can breathe a little more easily: the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief initiative was extended through 2013, allowing principal balance reductions and cancellations to remain exempt (on primary residences) rather than being taxed as regular income to the borrowers who receive them. Borrowers making less than $110,000 can also continue deducting their private mortgage insurance premiums. Both policy extensions should have positive implications for the housing market, whose continuing growth is seen as a crucial piece of the overall recovery of the U.S. economy. Borrowers should keep in mind, though, that none of this is set in stone. It's clear that there's still a deep divide in Congress when it comes to big-picture issues such as tax reform and the debt ceiling, and chances are that these same issues will be hashed out again in the coming months. It's also worth noting that no resolution has been passed on mortgage interest and property taxes, which are the two issues about which homeowners are most anxious to hear something definitive. If you have any question about these issues, or about your personal situation, contact the professional who supplied you with this month's issue of YOU Magazine.

Total Lending Concepts NMLS #1043976 (Corporate) #2348348 (KS Branch) 6900 College Blvd., Suite 800, Overland Park, KS, 66211 (KS Office) 219 E Broadway, Columbia, MO. 65203 (MO Office) You are receiving a complimentary subscription to YOU Magazine as a result of your ongoing business relationship with Brent Prockish. While beneficial to a wide audience, this information is also commercial in nature and it may contain advertising materials. INVITE A FRIEND to receive YOU Magazine. Please feel free to invite your friends and colleagues to subscribe. SUBSCRIBE to YOU Magazine. If you received this message from a friend, you can subscribe online. UNSUBSCRIBE: If you would like to stop receiving emails from Brent Prockish, you can easily unsubscribe.

Brent Prockish Team at Total Lending Concepts 6900 College Blvd., Suite 800 Overland Park, KS 66211

Powered by Platinum Marketing © Copyright 2024. Vantage Production, LLC.