The Joint Committee on Taxation identified the 15% rate for capital gains and dividends as the single largest tax expense for the fiscal period from 2007 to 2011.1 This expense is growing fast and carries a price tag of $631 billion for the 2007–2011 period. For 2006–2010, the price tag was estimated at $438 billion. The one-year shift forward adds almost $200 billion to the deficit.

Planning tip. The big one always gets the attention of lawmakers. If you have a ... Log in to view full article.