How to Keep the Wealthy From Fleeing Connecticut

moving-family

 

When it comes to saving on taxes the wealthy have to continually consider all their options because lawmakers never seem to stop pushing for more legislation aimed at making the wealthy pay more taxes. Lately, it seems that there are more and more reports of the nation’s wealthiest individuals living in high-tax locations deciding to pack up their bags and head for states that are more tax-friendly.

Connecticut continues to face this problem because the state reportedly continues to spend more than it should. Because of the overspending the state keeps creating new efforts to squeeze more taxes from its wealthiest citizens. The problem is, many of these wealthy individuals are moving out. According to a recent report in the Hartford Courant, two of the biggest offenders are Connecticut’s estate tax and it’s gift tax.

Connecticut relies on wealthy taxpayers more than most states, but the number of wealthy individuals coming to the state is slowing down, while the number of wealthy taxpayers leaving is increasing. In fact, after the state introduced a huge tax increase in 2011, more than 27,000 residents moved out and took close to $4 billion in annual adjusted gross income with them.

Perhaps the best way to deter the exodus of high net worth individuals is to repeal, or at least reform the estate tax and to completely eliminate the gift tax, as Connecticut is the only state with a tax of that kind.

www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-smith-repeal-ct-estate-tax-0515-20160513-story.html
Posted in

House Pushes Through Internet Tax Ban Bill but Will Senate Agree?

Everyone loves the Internet and most people couldn’t live without it. There are a lot of great things about the Internet; with one of those things being that fact that there are no state and local taxes to use it. Over the years, they have been many arguments back and forth as to whether or…

Which Is Higher, Your Food Bill or Your Tax Bill?

How high is your tax bill? Would you say you spend more on taxes than you do on food? What about clothing and shelter; do you spend more on them than you do on your taxes? The answer might surprise you. That’s because in actuality you probably spend more on your taxes every year than…

The Skinny on Tax-Deferred Retirement Accounts

Just about anyone could benefit from a tax-differed retirement account. These accounts, most commonly known as 401Ks or IRAs, are a great way to save for retirement and in many cases save on taxes. The real question is when do you plan on cashing out that retirement fund? While you will always see immediate savings…

Now Is the Time to Fix California’s Messed up Tax Code

The California tax code is about as healthy as the federal tax code. In other words, it needs a lot of work. Of course, there are many interested parties that are all hard at work trying to create plans that will help improve the state’s economy and tax revenue while helping those from the lower…