Two threads -#1: "Obama LOWERED Capital Gains Tax" and #2: "Obama raised capital gains rates"

[Bucky]

This stuff if complicated.

Thing #1: FAIL. Obama LOWERED Capital Gains Tax from 40% to 20%!

Thing #2: President Obama raised capital gains rates to higher than Clinton levels.

If I recall correctly, Occam's Razor states that I should believe the sweeping generalization with the more nuanced explanation, right?

[obnoxiousdrunk]

1. Confused... me too. n/t

[jeff47]

2. Alternatively, you could look at the content of those threads

The author of the "Fail" thread doesn't seem to understand short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains are taxed differently. Kinda shows their analysis has a lot of holes in it.

[elleng]

3. Occam's Razor=

a principle of parsimony, economy, or succinctness. It states that among competing hypotheses, the one that makes the fewest assumptions should be selected.

As to the issue at hand, some noted to the 'FAIL' post:

No FAIL, you are wrong. Rates on Long-Term Gains and Dividends: The tax rates on long-term capital gains and dividends will also remain the same as last year for most individuals. However, the maximum rate for higher-income folks increases to 20% (up from 15%). This change only affects singles with taxable income above $400,000, married joint-filing couples with income above $450,000, heads of households with income above $425,000, and married individuals who file separate returns with income above $225,000.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/cracking-the-2013-tax-code-2013-01-03


You may determine which makes the fewest assumptions!


'New' facts: OP poster just responded to me: 'The question is not this year vs last year, but deal vs no deal.' I think I'll leave it alone, for a while anyway.