On 31 December 2012, a variety of temporary tax provisions that were part of the "fiscal cliff" expired. Two days later, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) retroactively extended, and in certain cases modified, many of these provisions. The short period between the expiration of these provisions and the enactment on January 2 of ATRA retroactively meant that from the perspective of all but upper-income taxpayers, income taxes remained unchanged between 2012 and 2013. This book provides an overview of the tax provisions included in the "fiscal cliff deal", including: the permanent extension and modification of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts ("Bush-era tax cuts"); the temporary extension of certain tax provisions originally included as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA); the permanent extension of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) patch; the temporary extension of a variety of other temporary expiring provisions for individuals, businesses, and energy often referred to as "tax extenders"; and the expansion of in-plan conversions of traditional employer-sponsored retirement accounts (like 401(k) plans) to employer-sponsored Roth Accounts.

Provides an overview of the American Taxpayers Relief Act of 2012 (also referred to as the 2012 Taxpayer Relief Act) that was signed into law on Jan. 2, 2013.

CCH's American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: Law, Explanation and Analysis provides tax professionals with a single integrated reference source covering all aspects of this important legislation. Along with the impacted Internal Revenue Code provisions, CCH editors, together with leading tax practitioners and commentators, have created a complete practical analysis. The American Taxpayer Relief Act allows the Bush-era tax rates to sunset after 2012 for individuals with incomes over $400,000 and families with incomes over $450,000; permanently patches the alternative minimum tax (AMT); revives many now-expired tax extenders, including the research tax credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit; and provides for a maximum estate tax of 40 percent with a $5 million exclusion. The bill also delays the mandatory across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration. Highlights of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 include: -- 39.6% tax rate for incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for joint filers) -- All other Bush-era tax rates extended -- 20% maximum capital gains tax rate -- Permanent AMT patch -- Five-year extension of American Opportunity Tax Credit -- One-year extension of business tax extenders The law is arranged in Code section sequence. CCH also provides several special tables and lists to facilitate quick and thorough understanding of the law and how it would affect taxpayers. Features include an effective dates table organized by Code section, a listing by Code section of the Act sections affecting it, and a listing by Act section of the Code sections affected. CCH's Law, Explanation and Analysis book is the resource that tax professionals, businesses, government staff and students alike need to get all the details of and help on new tax legislation changes. CCH provides the critical, late-breaking explanation and analysis to help readers make sense of complex legislative change so they can plan, respond and advise with confidence.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (H.R. 8) passed by the United States Congress on January 1, 2013 centers on a partial resolution to the United States fiscal cliff by addressing the expiration of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, as well as the activation of the budget sequestration provisions of the Budget Control Act of 2011.The American Taxpayer Relief Act allows the Bush-era tax rates to sunset after 2012 for individuals with incomes over $400,000 and families with incomes over $450,000; permanently "patches" the alternative minimum tax (AMT); revives many now-expired tax extenders, including the research tax credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit; and provides for a maximum estate tax of 40 percent with a $5 million exclusion. The Act also delays the mandatory across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Act) addressed uncertainties related to federal tax policy by extending most of the Bush-era individual and corporate income tax provisions for the middle class. In general, the Act is consistent with assumptions made during the preparation of the Legislative Council Staff December 2012 revenue forecast.

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 is now law. What are these new tax changes? How will they affect businesses and individuals? This comprehensive guide answers these critical questions and more, with a thorough review of the principal provisions of the legislation and how they will impact everything from capital gains and estimated taxes to IRAs, estates, gifts, and trusts. The experts at Coopers & Lybrand have harnessed the detailed analytical and interpretative skills their clients depend on to give CPAs, financial planners, and consumers the vital information they need to navigate these complex provisions with confidence. Inside you'll find: Indispensable planning tools for capitalizing on opportunities and minimizing negative consequences of the tax act Observations, examples, and tips—crucial hands-on help for working with the new rules Easy-reference charts and tables with instant summaries of key information Effective dates of tax law changes—essential data for successful planning And much more.

Congress avoided the so-called fiscal cliff with the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 and, in so doing, implemented a number of important tax provisions that affect estate planners for estates of all sizes. The act made several key estate tax provisions permanent including fixing the exclusion amount and tax rates and, most importantly, it made the concept of portability permanent. Portability enables surviving spouse's to utilize the unused unified credit of their decedent spouse, a strategy that historically required the use of a credit shelter trust. This article also discusses additional ways that portability affects estates large and small and how estate planners may use credit shelter trusts under the current estate tax regime with portability.

The book contains RIA's complete analysis of H.R. 2014, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 ('97 Act), and of the tax provisions of both H.R. 2015, the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, and of H.R. 1226, the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act (Privacy Act). It also contains the text of the Internal Revenue Code sections that were amended by any of these Acts, and committee reports relating to the above tax provisions.