Recent Legislation - 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy

Election Year Tax Talk: Deciphering the Terminology

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:56:50 EDT

This year's election chatter is sure to include a healthy dose of tax talk. To keep up, here are five terms you should know: the “Bush tax cuts,” alternative minimum tax (AMT), the “Buffett rule,” value added tax (VAT) and flat tax.

How Europe Affects Your Portfolio

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:31:07 EST

When a possible default on Greek sovereign debt becomes headline news, a lot of people find themselves wondering, "How can the problems of a country so small and so far away create such turmoil in the world's financial markets?" What's happening in Europe is probably affecting your portfolio right now, regardless of the quality of your holdings or how well diversified you are.

The Debt Ceiling and the Road Ahead

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:40:32 EDT

Debt is the buzzword of the moment, and it takes an act of Congress to handle the nation’s debt challenges. Not so for household debt, but that by no means makes it easier to manage. The Budget Control Act of 2011, in addition to gradually increasing the debt ceiling, is intended to bring down the federal budget deficit by an estimated $2.1 trillion over the next 10 years, focusing on spending cuts rather than increased revenues. For your personal financial understanding, it is important to understand how legislation like this may affect your finances. Here are some of the key provisions of the debt ceiling legislation.

The Budget Control Act of 2011

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:57:15 EDT

After a last-minute agreement finally brought the stalemate over the nation's debt ceiling to a close, President Obama signed the Budget Control Act of 2011 into law on August 2, 2011, enabling the U.S. Treasury to avoid defaulting on existing obligations. The Budget Control Act of 2011 left all sides with plenty to argue about over the next few months. Here are some of the key provisions.

What health-care changes become effective in 2011?

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:28:47 EDT

What health-care changes become effective in 2011?

Read the Answer »

Changes Affecting Small Businesses

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:26:15 EST

Recent legislation includes changes that will affect small businesses in 2011. Here are some of the changes worth noting.

Changes Affecting Small Businesses

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:26:15 EST

Recent legislation includes changes that will affect small businesses in 2011. Here are some of the changes worth noting.

Health Insurance Reform in 2011

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:18:24 EST

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, makes significant changes to our health care delivery system. Some of these reforms took effect in 2010 while many others take place in 2011. The following is a brief description of some of the most important provisions of the health care reform legislation that take effect this year.

Five Hot Topics in 2011

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:43:50 EST

Roth conversions, mortgages, and health-care reform were a few of the most talked about topics in 2010. Here's a look at five topics you're bound to hear about in 2011.

The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:52:01 EST

On December 17, 2010, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 was signed into law. In addition to providing a 13-month extension of benefits for the long-term unemployed, the legislation includes a long-anticipated extension of the "Bush tax cuts" that were scheduled to expire on January 1, 2011. Other significant provisions include a new alternative minimum tax (AMT) "patch," a major modification of the estate tax, and a new 1-year 2% employee Social Security payroll tax reduction.