Tax Corporations Less... Tax Dividends More?
On Capitol Hill, a rough consensus is starting to emerge: a feeling that the corporate tax rate should be reduced to help U.S. firms stay globally competitive. At the same time, President Obama’s 2013 federal budget proposes a massive tax hike on corporate dividends, a change that could harshly impact the individual investor.
Underpublicized 2012 Tax Changes & Reminders
Every year, the IRS institutes big and little changes – and some don’t get as much notice as they should. This year is no exception. Here is a rundown of some of alterations and asterisks affecting taxpayers this year.
Obama's Proposed 2013 Budget & the Taxpayer
The wealthiest taxpayers could be hit hard if the tax hikes in President Obama’s 2013 federal budget proposal become law. The good news is that the tax changes outlined by the President in mid-February may be softened by eventual bipartisan compromise. As currently proposed, they would impact the wealthiest Americans on several fronts.
The Landmark Mortgage Settlement
Big news, but will it make a big difference? On February 9, the Justice Department announced it had struck a settlement approaching $26 billion with the major U.S. mortgage servicers. This is the biggest multistate settlement of any kind since the Big Tobacco payout of 1998, with five big banks (Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Ally Financial and Wells Fargo) agreeing to make amends for robo-signing and other consumer abuses. Other lenders may join them in the deal.1,2
While this is all well and good, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan conceded to the press on February 9 that...
Facebook's IPO (Initial Public Offering)
Anticipation is high. Facebook filed an S-1 form with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, taking its first big step toward going public. It aims to raise $5 billion through its upcoming IPO. Some of the details from the S-1 form...
Are People Really Retiring Later?
True or false? You may have heard this claim before (or something like it): “Many Americans are being forced to retire later because their savings and investments took a hit in the Great Recession.”
Recently, a big-name economist disputed that belief. In a commentary for Bloomberg, former White House budget director Peter Orszag wrote that some of the statistics don’t seem to back up this conventional wisdom, but perhaps it all depends on which statistics you cite.
"Meet the Money Manager" Quarterly Conference Call for Q1 2012
Most regular investors don’t get a chance to hear directly from their investment managers – at NEXT Financial Group, we believe communication is critical to a great relationship. Here is your chance to listen to what an institutional-quality money manager has to say and to ask your questions directly.
Getting Off on the Right Foot in 2012
A look at some financial changes & the opportunities they may present.
Every year brings some financial change, so here are some relevant changes relating to investment, tax and estate planning for 2012.
Budgeting for Retirement
It only makes sense - yet many retirees live without one.
You won’t be able to withdraw an unlimited amount of money in retirement. So a retirement budget is a necessity. Some retirees forego one, only to regret it later.