The Effective Tax Rate And What Is Real And What Is A Political Puzzle

Mitt Romney‘s 2012 taxes have been subject to extensive scrutiny and he has been cast a one of the wealthy elite. The truth is percentage wise he pays more in taxes than most American households, which is an effective tax rate.

The average middle class household may be taxed at thirty-five percent, but with deductions and other tax exemptions, a family making between fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars may only pay around six percent. Many families owe no taxes or pay extremely low taxes. Conversely, the tax rates for people making over one-million dollars per year is approximately nineteen percent. Many families in this country benefit from the same tax rates as Romney. Anyone who has investment income is taxed at fifteen percent. He does not belong to a special group with unique privileges; he is taxed at the same rate on capital gains, as any other investor. Tax rates can be interpreted in many ways to make them look as though someone is not paying their share. The truth can become obscured and a regular taxpaying citizen can be painted as a greedy capitalist. The average person works hard and the percentage of their income that goes to taxes is often examined carefully.

Mitt Romney pays his taxes and he may actually pay more than most citizens. The government is currently faced with a huge deficit, unemployment, and myriad economic problems. Instead of looking at his tax rate, people should look at his success rate and how he plans to move this economy forward.

Lower Capital Gains Taxes Can Influence Voters

The current capital gains taxes on investment income are fifteen percent. While the taxes on the middle class wages are around thirty-five percent. Mitt Romney admitted recently that he pays only fifteen percent on his total yearly income. The Occupy Wall Street movement has not faded from voters’ memories or the specter of the wealthy one-percent. Romney found himself identified as a member of this affluent group.

There has been serious debate as to whether lower capital gains taxes will help the economy. Top economists do not agree on the effect of lower taxes investment income. Some contend that lower taxes on investment income will generate economic growth. Other studies do not confirm there is a correlation between lower taxes and increased investment activity. Over the years capital gains tax has fluctuated from almost forty percent during the mid-seventies to the present fifteen percent. It is noted that savvy investors will not be deterred from a good investment opportunity, even when there is a higher tax rate. There is no suggestion that a higher investment income tax reduces investment activity.

A down market can shape investment activity, when it comes to the buying and selling of stocks. A major concern of the average American is whether the Romney’s of the world, pay their share of the taxes. High unemployment and a poor economy have the non-investors questioning their higher tax rates and 2012 taxes. Lowering the capital gains tax may not alter the market, but it may influence how people vote.

When High Tech Companies Are Good Stocks to Invest In

When there is a recession, the economy dwindles, there are thousands of job losses and real estate sales fall.  An investor trading stock during a recession will soon become distrustful of improvement, doubting what good stocks to invest in are and will begin to sell their stock shares.  During these times stocks in companies specializing in non-essential or technical items is a scary investment for many traders.

Shares in Technology

Instead of the high tech shares, they often switch to stocks in companies who endorse food products and/or health services.  Are these good stocks to invest in right now?  Many investors will answer with a definite yes because these are public services that will always be in demand.  Dividend paying stocks during this time need to completely researched, to avoid overpaying for shares.  Good stocks to invest in 2010 were health services and these stocks continue to be in demand, but can be found at decent prices.

Rock Bottom Prices

Researching what are good stocks to invest in requires looking for companies that do not have negative news regarding their business.  When the shares hit rock bottom prices and the negative data from the company subsides, then buy shares in the company.  In the majority of scenarios, if a company has negative reports and a drop in stock prices, they will most likely have a reverse in trends.

Spread the Wealth

Finding good stocks to invest in, means to diversify your portfolio.  If you focus on primarily one niche of investments, you are taking a risk for lose.  Whereas if you have stocks in various arenas, you are no longer dependent on one particular area for increased profits.  For example, during a recession the tech stock you have may decrease, but increase following the recession.  Instead of having to sell all shares you own, spread the investments among technology that will gradually increase as well as food and health that will continually increase.

The Cheapest Place to Live in the U.S.

The United States of America is large in size and rich in diversity, so finding the cheapest place to live in the US may be easier said than done.

Perhaps you are a person who has always dreamed of living in the beautiful country side far away from loud and teeming cities: think Montana.

Maybe your dream is to buy a large, beautiful house on the cheap: think Detroit. A recent count of houses for sale found quality properties as low as $37,000.

How do you find that locality in which you wish to reside? The Internet is your best friend when determining what is important to you. There is most likely an answer online to speak to nearly every question.

Quality of life issues, such as unemployment, violent crime, median income and even more fundamentally important data are reported online. The price of a pint glass of beer: Texarkana, Arkansas, for example, charges $1.50. Allentown, Pennsylvania beats it at $1.25.

How do you make a living in your rural dream locality? Health professionals, for example, have an easy time relocating; other folks may have to use some imaginative and daring planning to find their niche.

Here again, the Internet is invaluable. Online work such as editing or blogging requires excellent grammar and imagination. Retail over the Internet can be highly successful should you recognize trends and present the right product.

If you have a green thumb, you could join a growing trend and raise organic herbs, micro sprouts, mushrooms and specialty greens for restaurants and the public.

The best places to live are a highly subjective matter depending on each person. It can be a scary proposition, leaving a familiar place you’ve grown weary of, and stepping into the vast unknown. It takes imagination and nerve, but should you succeed, you will have accomplished something wonderful and courageous indeed.