President Obama’s budget proposal is calling for significantly higher taxes for 2013.  This is in addition to the repeal of the so-called Bush tax cuts.  Even if a Republican Congress is elected in November, taxes will go up.  The year 2012 is possibly one of the most important tax planning years for wealthy clients and closely-held business owners.  Clients need to know what they can still do now before the tax law changes, as well as what they can do to take advantage of the future tax environment.           

OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to understand what the tax return tells you about tax planning for the client, understand planning issues for clients whose tax rates are changing under tax reform, and understand the planning implications of tax reform

HIGHLIGHTS:

• A complete review of where we are and where we are headed without enactment of new laws, and why taxes will go up in any case
• Administration budget proposals and other competing tax proposals that could create significantly increased taxes
• A review of the best strategies to consider in 2012 that not only have current benefits but can position you for future opportunities
• The 2013 Medicare tax on earned and unearned income - what you need to do now to reduce the impact of this significant increase in the near future.
• Investment planning in a new age: timing capital gains; coping with the new rates on dividends
• Compensation
• Income splitting and shifting tactics
• How Retirement plans can be used to reduce gross income: which kind is optimal?
• Tactics for self-employed and owners to maximize pension and IRA contributions.
• Planning for retirement: when should benefits be taken from Social Security?  From qualified retirement plans and IRAs?
• Is it time to convert a §401(k) plan into a Roth contribution plan?
• Social Security: planning for the increase in retirement age, expansion of the tax to S shareholders
• Tax planning shelters in a low interest-rate environment
• Looking above-the-line to help the bottom line.
• Estate planning changes that in the future have negative effects.
• Will Family Limited Partnerships survive the 2012-2013 tax reform?
• Strategies for the small business owner.
• All in the family: benefits, wages, and tax-advantaged investments
• Financial planning strategies for younger adults
• Identifying tax opportunities: what a structured review of the tax return can reveal

WHO WILL BENEFIT:  All practitioners involved in tax planning for individuals and those who want to understand techniques beyond traditional tax-saving methods

PREREQUISITE:  Experience in individual tax planning and return preparation

LEVEL:  Intermediate

NASBA FIELD OF STUDY:  Taxation 8