Substantial amounts of middle income retired folk's dividend stocks are held in 401K or regular IRA accounts that are already taxed at ordinary rates.  There will be no increase in taxes on distributions from these accounts under Obama's proposals unless the retiree has income above $ 250,000...in which case the recipi...more

The long-time Minnesota law regarding speeding tickets applies only in 55 mph zones which includes most two-lane roads in rural areas.  (You can be ticketed and fined for speeds between 55 and 65 but there will be no violation reported to your insurer.)  These roads are usually safe for travel at 65 which was the speed...more

The 2003 tax cut on qualified dividends--- targeted to individuals, not corporations--- did nothing to encourage corporate dividend payouts or strengthen our corporate structure.  In fact as reported in a WSJ article dated 1/15/2010 "Dividend Stocks Get New Respect", our universe of corporations recently have been payi...more

States with attractive living conditions may get negative outcomes when they offer special tax breaks on pensions and real estate to attract seniors from elsewhere. Hawaii is prime example.  They have a high income tax on earned wages and none on pensions and social security.  In addition they have very low property ta...more

SOMEONE(dititonce)......Thanks for the complement.  I think that most retirees discontent with federal taxes comes from the social security tax phase-in where you pay taxes on 2 dollars for each additional dollar of income.  This is not as bad as it once was when the tax bracket of income in this category was higher, a...more

Most people saving for retirement or retired hold their dividend paying stocks in 401K, IRA, or related accounts, where contributions are not taxed going in, and all disbursals including dividend earnings are taxed at ordinary rates.  Obama's proposal to tax dividends outside tax sheltered retirement accounts at ordina...more

How about transferring the tax break on dividends from the individual to the business side?  Reduce the corporate tax on dividends paid to a minimum of 15%, or better yet, 0%.  Treat dividends paid the same as interest paid at the corporate level.  A business tax deduction for dividends makes perfect sense.  If dividen...more

Most middle class investors are more likely to buy stocks in tax deferred retirement accounts than in after-tax brokerage accounts.  Unless they convert their accounts to ROTH status they will pay taxes on all withdrawals including dividends and interest at regular rates. Taxes on these accounts will not be affected by...more