Archive for November 10th, 2008

Some tax changes … for sure !

November 10, 2008

Excerpted from WSJ, “Taxes for 2009 Already Set to Rise and Fall “, Nov. 9, 2008

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While nobody knows what will happen to taxes next year, most taxpayers can count on getting at least a small dose of relief because of inflation adjustments. Because of annual inflation adjustments, many tax provisions, such as the basic standard deduction and personal-exemption amounts, increase each year.

For example, the basic standard deduction will rise to $11,400 for married couples filing jointly, up $500 from 2008. For most singles and married people filing separately, it will be $5,700, up $250.

Tax-bracket income thresholds will rise for each filing status. For joint filers, for example, the taxable-income threshold separating the 15% bracket from the 25% bracket will be $67,900, up from $65,100 in 2008.

The annual gift-tax exclusion will increase in 2009 to $13,000 from $12,000 this year. That means you will be able to give away as much as $13,000 next year to anyone you wish — and to each of as many people as you want — without having to worry about taxes. Moreover, you can pay for someone’s tuition or medical bills, and the payments won’t count toward the annual exclusion. Just be sure to make those payments directly to the educational or medical institution.

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But millions of high-income workers will get hit by higher Social Security taxes.

The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax in 2009 will rise to $106,800 from $102,000 in 2008. Of the estimated 164 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes next year, about 11 million will pay higher taxes because of this increase.

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Ken’s Take: The federal income tax code can be– and has been — modified RETROACTIVELY to the date that legislation is introduced (but not, as I understand it to a “closed” tax year).  Expect Obama’s tax changes to be introduced in the House (which has responsibility for initiating tax bills) soon after Obama’s inauguration — if for no other reason than to to set the retroactivity date.

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Full article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122619877179711425.html

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Men at Work …. where ?

November 10, 2008

Let  me set the scene: you’re driving around the DC beltway or on practically any interstate highway in the U.S.  Traffic is slowing to a crawl and you see this sign.

image

Then, you drive for a couple of miles flanked by orange cones. 

How often have you actually seen ‘men working’ before you pass the sign that says “End of Work Zone.  Resume Normal Speed”.

Every time you hear the words: “Infrastructure Rebuilding Program”, just close your eyes and replay the above scene in your imagination.  It’s your money (or your kid’s money) at work …  or, not at work.

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HD Radio Struggles To Find Its Groove

November 10, 2008

Excerpted from the Wall Street Journal “Weak Signals: Can HD Radio Find Listeners” by Sarah McBride, November 4, 2008

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The radio industry’s answer to the Internet, iPods and satellite radio has been slow to make waves with consumers.Called HD Radio, the technology allows radio stations to transmit a digital signal  … extra stations … and a wider range of programming in a static-free medium. And listeners don’t have to pay subscription fees charged for satellite radio.

But four years after the first HD radios hit the marketplace, the new service hasn’t gained traction with consumers.

The signal can be heard only through special digital radio receivers, with prices that start at about $80. The digital signal typically doesn’t reach as far as the same station’s analog signal, so in many cities, the signal comes and goes as listeners drive around town…

About 600,000 HD radios are expected to sell this year. Many say that rate is too slow, considering that satellite radio now has 19 million subscribers and that Apple will sell about 33 million iPods in the U.S. this year…

Despite millions of dollars spent developing and marketing HD radio, consumers’ awareness and enthusiasm for the new technology is hard to gauge. An industry-backed survey…says three out of four radio listeners know about the technology. But an independent study…says only about one in four had heard or read “anything recently about HD Radio.”

On the retail side, some consumers report walking into big electronics stores, asking for HD radio receivers and being led instead to the section for satellite radio...For the technology to really catch on with offline listeners, radio veterans say … the HD radios must be  widely available in cars…Next year, for example, HD Radio will be standard in new Volvos.  

Edit by SAC

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Full article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122575904804195337.html

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Click link => The Homa Files Blog

Posted in Satellite Radio & TV | 1 Comment »