The Fiscal Cliff Part 1- Capital Gains Down and Tax Rates Up

With at least $600 billion in tax and spending decisions set to be made, either explicitly, or implicitly, by policymakers come January 1^st, this is the first of 15 articles addressing the fiscal cliff.  Taxes on capital gains are the focus.

Absent policy actrion, on January 1, 2013, short term capital gains tax rates will increase from anywhere between 9 percent if you’re in the current 33 percent tax bracket, to 50 percent if you’re in the lowest tax bracket.  If you fall into the top tax bracket, the rate is set to increase by 13 percent.

In addition to short-term capital gains, tax rates on long-term capital gains are set to increase by much more,...