Raising Capital Gains

by Lee Reams in Q&A E-mail Questions

A – Actually, Congress lowered the capital gains rates for 2003 through 2010 and they have not shown any inclination to extend the lower rates past 2010. Therefore, unless Congress acts, the rates automatically return to the pre-2003 levels of 10% (up from the current 0%) for those in the 15% or less bracket and 20% (up from 15%) for everyone else. If you have capital gains, you may wish to consider whether or not to take them in 2010 while the rates are still low.