Going, Going, Going...

Even if President George W. Bush winsa second term in November 2004, the fateof his tax cuts may well ride on whetherthe Republicans can maintain a majorityin the US Senate. Among the tax breaksthat are scheduled to fade into the sunsetunless Congress acts is the reduction ofthe top tax rate to 35%. In 2011, those inthe top tax bracket will go back to payingthe old rate of 39.6%. The capital gainstax rate will revert to 20% from its current15% in 2009, the same year that thetax rate on dividends, currently 15%, willbe pegged at the taxpayer's marginal taxrate, up to a maximum of 35%. After ayear of complete repeal in 2010, the estatetax will make a comeback in 2011, withthe exemption reverting to $1 million andthe tax rate back up to 55%.