Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for
Although the 2016 tax season is upon us, there is a lot of talk about what changes might happen to our tax system going forward.
First, I can’t resist citing some of the more famous quotes about taxes.
Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Will Rogers stated, “The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.”
Albert Einstein opined, “The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.”
While we might all agree that we don’t like taxes and we’d like them to be simpler, what would tax reform look like?
It may be worthwhile to consider the history of personal income taxes in the U.S. The income tax was introduced during the Civil War in 1861 and was expanded during World War II. In short, revenues were needed to cover large obligations. In between those periods and now, there have been numerous changes, tweaks and adjustments. Our country’s obligations have not gone away, so taxes probably will stay around for a while.
Tax reform is nothing new, and some degree of tax reform seems likely. In early 2016, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives published a tax reform summary of policies, or "blueprint," that could form the basis of new tax legislation in 2017. President Donald Trump campaigned on the promise of large-scale tax reform. Late in the campaign, the Trump camp released a revised tax plan that moved the candidate's proposals closer to the House Republicans’ plan.
For now, it may make sense to focus on provisions common to both the Trump plan and the House GOP blueprint, which include:
Many differences must be ironed out among all parties.
Who will be affected, and what, if anything, should you do about it?
“People who complain about taxes can be divided into two classes: men and women.” — Unknown
Nearly everyone could be affected by these changes – corporations, individuals and small businesses (most of which are held as sole proprietorships, partnerships or S-corporations and are taxed at the personal income level). As a result, nearly everyone could be affected by these changes.
Without the benefit of a crystal ball, here a few tips to consider during this period of uncertainty:
While it's impossible to predict exactly what new tax legislation will look like, or to cover all the potential effects of tax reform, it might not hurt to consider some of the possibilities that could affect you. Remember, as we say here in Texas, “Just like the weather, if you’re not happy with the current tax structure, wait a minute, and it will change.”
Speak with your tax and legal counsel regarding your personal situation.
Visit the USAA Tax Center for more information
The contents of this document are not intended to be, and are not, legal or tax advice. The applicable tax law is complex, the penalties for noncompliance are severe, and the applicable tax law of your state may differ from federal tax law. Therefore, you should consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your specific situation. USAA or its affiliates do not provide tax advice. Taxpayers should seek advice based upon their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the United States, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
239445 - 0217