Evidence suggests that the tax cuts — particularly those for high-income households — did not improve economic growth or pay for themselves, but instead ballooned deficits and debt and contributed to a rise in income inequality. In fact, the economic expansion that lasted from 2001 to 2007 was weaker than average.
Understanding the Bush Tax Cuts
The measures lowered federal income tax rates for everyone, decreased the marriage penalty, lowered the capital gains tax and the tax rate on dividend income, and increased the child tax credit.
The Trump Tax Plan Increased the Standard Deduction
The new tax plan nearly doubled the standard deduction for all filers. If you're a single filer or if you're married filing separately, your standard deduction for 2020 is $12,400. Joint filers have a deduction of $24,800 and heads of household get $18,650.
Lower income tax rates increase the spending power of consumers and can increase aggregate demand, leading to higher economic growth (and possibly inflation). On the supply side, income tax cuts may also increase incentives to work – leading to higher productivity.
Why were Bush's tax cuts and Medicare extensions controversial? Both programs were expensive and added to the national debt. Tax cuts did put more money in the hands of consumers, and Congress did extend Medicare to cover prescription drugs for senior citizens. But both initiatives increased federal budget deficits.
Allowing the Bush era tax cuts to expire would include lowering the amount of the child tax credit from $1,000 per child to $500 per child, narrowing the tax bracket for married couples causing them to pay more, and reducing itemized deductions and personal exemptions.
88–272), also known as the Tax Reduction Act, was a tax cut act proposed by President John F. Kennedy, passed by the 88th United States Congress, and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act became law on February 26, 1964.
Bush administration was characterized by significant income tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, the implementation of Medicare Part D in 2003, increased military spending for two wars, a housing bubble that contributed to the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007–2008, and the Great Recession that followed.
Congress enacted major tax cuts in 2001, 2002, and 2003. The acts reduced marginal income tax rates; reduced taxes on married couples, dividends, capital gains, and on estates and gifts; increased the child tax credit; and accelerated depreciation for business investment.
At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free. However, if you're still working, part of your benefits might be subject to taxation. The IRS adds the figures for your earnings and half your Social Security benefits.
Although there will not be a tax increase for individuals in 2021, there are tax increases scheduled over the next six years. The TCJA's individual income tax provisions are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, along with the phaseout of several business tax provisions between 2021 and 2026.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended this year's federal income tax filing deadline from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This extension is automatic and applies to filing and payments. So if you owe taxes for 2020, you have until May 17, 2021, to pay them without interest or penalties.
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