13. November 2011 by Jim Sutliff.

The debt super committee has 10 days left before the November 23rd deadline.  The 12 member committee comprised of six Democrats and six Republicans must come to an agreement by the deadline or automatic spending cuts will take effect.  In addition, inaction could lead to a downgrade of U.S. debt from credit agencies.

To read a related Fox News article, please click here:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/11/12/obama-warns-super-committee-not-to-cheat-on-deficit-mandate/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Tax, Republican, Infrastructure, Economy, Budget, Politics, Healthcare, Administrative, Democrat, Estate Tax, General, Uncategorized | No Comments »

5. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff.

Kiplinger’s has an article on the estate tax law and the portability feature.  The article also discusses the expiration of the current provision at the end of 2012.  In addition, the article provides examples of unintended consequences of the estate tax law. 

To read the Kiplinger’s article, please click here:

http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/krr-new-estate-tax-law-can-trap-the-unwary.html?topic_id=31

James Sutliff

Posted in Republican, Tax, 2012, Regulatory, Politics, Democrat, Estate Tax, General, Administrative | No Comments »

16. March 2011 by Jim Sutliff.

The Drudge Report is a premier site that provides coverage of business, politics, and world events.  The Drudge Report has valuable links to sites and articles in an easy to read format. 

To visit The Drudge Report, please click here:

http://www.drudgereport.com/

James Sutliff

Posted in Governor, Federal Reserve, Congress, Tax, Republican, Infrastructure, Trade, Dodd-Frank, Presidential, RNC, Economy, Regulatory, Real Estate, Election, Energy, Democrat, DC, Business, Environment, Estate Tax, Politics, Healthcare, General, Fundraising, Administrative | No Comments »

10. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

The estate tax legislation proposed by the Senate is expected to face a tough fight on Monday from members of both parties.  The Wall Street Journal has a solid article on the proposed bill and provides a breakdown of some key issues.  One step forward is that the bill would unify the estate, gift, and generation skipping taxes. 

To read the Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704720804576009962752688894.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Republican, Tax, Politics, General, Democrat, Estate Tax, Administrative | No Comments »

1. December 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

The vote on extending the Bush era tax cuts is likely to be delayed until negotiators meet this week.  Extension of the tax cuts for individuals earning $200,000 or less and married couples earning $250,000 or less is supported by both parties.  However, Republicans also support extending the tax cuts for higher income taxpayers as well as keeping the 15% rate for dividends and capital gains.  Estate tax provisions are also set to expire and are a point of negotiation between the parties.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please clcik here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/u-s-lawmakers-urge-delay-on-tax-cut-vote-pending-bipartisan-negotiations.html

Jim Sutliff

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16. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

A comprehensive overhaul of the tax code could take place in the near future.  Recently, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner indicated that the tax code was in need of a major overhaul.  Congressional Republicans have also supported an overhaul of the tax code which includes many provisions that are going to sunset.  The new code is likely to have lower rates and may be more user friendly.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/11/16/tax-overhaul-gains-steam/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Republican, Tax, Congress, Economy, Regulatory, Politics, Business, Democrat, Estate Tax, General, Administrative | No Comments »

6. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

Barack Obama is moving in the direction of a tax cut compromise during the lame duck session.  Tax rates will rise in 2011 if action is not taken to keep the Bush tax cuts.  The White House has also indicated that Obama will support a temporary extension of lower rates for upper income taxpayers.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-06/obama-says-there-s-room-for-compromise-with-congress-on-tax-cut-extension.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Republican, Regulatory, Tax, Congress, Economy, Politics, General, Business, Democrat, Election, Estate Tax, Administrative | No Comments »

5. November 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

A recent Business In The Beltway article on Forbes discusses the priorities of the new Congress.  Republican victories in the House and Senate have changed the political landscape and are likely to shift policies on tax.  Tax will almost certainly be the top priority of the Republican House.  Democrats still have the edge in the Senate but the agenda is likely to be dictated by Republicans. 

To read the Forbes article, please click here:

http://blogs.forbes.com/brianwingfield/2010/11/03/republicans-win-big-first-order-of-business-taxes/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Republican, Regulatory, Tax, Congress, Economy, Trade, Politics, Healthcare, Democrat, Business, Election, Energy, General, Estate Tax, Administrative | No Comments »

29. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

Estate Taxes are growing as a campaign issue and candidates are starting to listen to the voters.  Repealing the estate tax is one option that is being supported by some lawmakers.  A possible compromise has been suggested by Democratic Senator Cantwell of Washington.  The compromise would allow taxpayers to prepay estate taxes while they are still living.  In return, the taxpayer would receive a lower rate and freeze asset values in a trust.  The move would spark estate planning activity and increase federal revenues in the near term.  The bill is likely to receive some level of Republican support in the Senate.

To read a related Forbes article, please click here:

http://blogs.forbes.com/janetnovack/2010/10/26/should-congress-let-the-next-mark-zuckerberg-prepay-his-estate-taxes/

James Sutliff

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15. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

The elimination of the estate tax is a growing issue on the campaign trail this year.  Over 250 congressional candidates have pledged to eliminate the tax.  Also, the possibility of eliminating the estate tax is a good fundraising tool for some candidates.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704763904575550442176217552.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_us

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Politics, Tax, Congress, General, Estate Tax, DC, Democrat, Election, Administrative | No Comments »

8. October 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

The estate tax is at 0% until the end of 2010 and that is creating a great deal of estate planning activity.  Unless Congress takes action the tax will rise to 55% in 2011.  Senators Kyl and Lincoln have proposed a plan that would exempt $10 million from the estate and have a tax rate of 45%. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-07/wealthy-lock-35-u-s-gift-tax-as-time-runs-out-to-avoid-55-estate-levy.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Tax, Regulatory, General, Estate Tax, Administrative | No Comments »

25. September 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

The last four years of economic policies from the Democratic Congress  are a subjest of an article in the Wall Street Journal.  The Opinion Journal article discusses the Democrats retreat on tax policy as they close in on the elections.  Republicans are expected to have a strong showing at the polls this November.

To read the Opinion Jounal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704523604575511863393295260.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Regulatory, Republican, Tax, Congress, Politics, Estate Tax, DC, Democrat, Election, Administrative | No Comments »

19. August 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

A recent Forbes article discusses the wide range of propsed taxes that may be waiting for individuals and the business community.  Election year politics may soften the tax hikes with Democrats attempting to win back voters.  Republicans are expected to oppose most tax increases by Congress. 

To read the Forbes article, please click here:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/16/estate-tax-oil-carried-interest-business-washington-tax-hikes.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Healthcare, Politics, Regulatory, Tax, General, Estate Tax, Business, DC, Election, Energy, Administrative | No Comments »

13. August 2010 by Jim Sutliff.

Members of Congress are starting to focus on the November election and one topic that is the focus of attention is th estate tax.  Possible revisions to the estate tax are the subject of numerous articles and discussions.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discusses the bill proposed by Republican Senator Kyl and Democratic Senator Lincoln.  Lincoln is facing an uphill battle for re-election this year.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB128061726722322927.html?mod=WSJ_Taxes_MoreHeadlines

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Regulatory, Tax, General, Estate Tax, DC, Election, Administrative | No Comments »