Pre-2001, dividends had been taxed at workers' income tax rate. The Bush tax cuts dropped the rate on dividends and capital gains to 15%. Thus, if the Bush tax cuts expire, the dividend tax for high-income workers will jump to 39.6%.

But there's more. The health care law imposes a new 3.8% tax on passive income, including dividends and interest. So the effective dividend tax rate for those at the upper end of the income scale would nearly triple, to 43.4%. Happy New Year!

And don't forget that dividends have already been taxed as corporate profits — so they're taxed twice.

Although proponents claim that these tax increases will only affect the wealthy, this looming tax grab will also have a significant impact on middle-class Americans who don't have to pay it directly. And the impact could weaken America's fragile financial markets further and unintentionally erode the value of the savings of millions of Americans.

Companies looking to expand their operations and create jobs, of course, are likely to think twice before doing so in high-tax locales.
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Do any of you so-called Jr.scholars from the Democrats know the impact this will have on EVERYONE? I think not.
Why, because you continue to have the wool pulled over your eye's by someone who's inept to the will of the majority of people. Open your wallets and purses, because your going to have to pay it also. You are not going to be immune from this rise in taxes either.
Funny how the messiah led you into the valley with hope and change, and now is about to let you fry for his own personal recognition.
Well Jr.scholars feel free to speak your mind on this matter...!

i think the lower wage earners will agree to pay a little more as long as the wealthy higher earners pay a lot more,enough said.

Hey scorpio,
Would you feel better if we just killed all the rich people?
WTF are you so jealous about?

Right you are Scorpio! yaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

The rich reaped the most benefits from the Bush Regime policies that enriched them many times more than the lower income levels.
The growth in their income was huge while the middle classes income saw very little growth and the impoverished became even worse off.
NOW it's payback time.

P.S. The earned income on dividend income has NOT been taxed while a full 2/3 of ALL Corporations pay NO Federal Income after their Government provided corporate subsidies and deductions.

i don't like your killing people talk.look at poor gabby giffords.everyone deserves to live their lives,but also to pay their fare share.so what if they pay more for security,etc.,they probably fly more then anyone.they should be thankful they stopped the luxury tax on boats,cars,airplanes,etc.hea that's an idea,bring it back.

You're just jealous of rich people, scorpio, because you didn't have the smarts or the drive to be one of them.