2 percent payroll tax holiday ending soon and likely for good

October 1, 2012

When Congress checked out last month, the House left a handful of Washington, D.C.-area lawmakers with the task of showing up and running a pro forma session.

But the extended absence of most of the 535 Senators and Representatives means that we won't see any tax action until mid-November at the earliest.


2 percent payroll tax cutAs I noted on Sept. 24, one tax break is likely to disappear entirely on Jan. 1, 2013: the 2 percentage point payroll tax cut. or, as it's often referred to, the payroll tax holiday.

I'm mentioning that post — Payroll tax cut on its last legs — again because the new conventional wisdom that the employees' payroll tax holiday is ending gets front page coverage in today's New York Times.

My thought on the payroll tax break: Exchange the flat tax rate cut with a progressive payroll tax.

Check out my payroll tax modification idea in that earlier post and let me and readers know what you think in comments here or at the original item.

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Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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