NEWS ARTICLE

For: August Issue

To: Gulf Coast Womens News

By: Linda K. Bowman, Ext. Agt. IV - Family & Consumer Sciences

Santa Rosa County Extension Service

Telephone: 850/623-3868 or 939-1259, ext. 1360

The Rebates are Coming!

Many Floridians are in store for a windfall during the next few months. President Bush and the U.S. congress are sending us a federal tax refund. Federal tax refund checks will be sent according to a staggered schedule, based on the last two digits of a person’s Social Security number. For couples, the IRS will use the first Social Security number listed on the couple’s tax return.

The mailing of federal tax refund checks (there was no time to verify bank account information for direct deposit) will begin the week of July 23 and continue through the week of September 24. If you’re planning to move in the next few weeks, be sure to notify the IRS so your check is not delayed.

The federal tax refund is a result of a change in the structure of federal marginal tax brackets. A new 10% marginal tax bracket was added, reducing the tax rate from 15% to 10% on the first $6,000 of taxable income for singles, $12,000 for married couples filing jointly, and $10,000 for heads of households. This translates into a $300 refund for single taxpayers, $600 for couples, and $500 for heads of households who earn the full amount of income in the 10% bracket for their tax filing status. For those who earn less than the full 10% tax bracket amount, refund checks will be prorated.

So what are you going to do with this windfall? This is an important question. Below are several ideas to invest it for the future:

First, there is probably no better “investment” than to repay consumer debt (such as outstanding credit card bills). Paying off a 18% credit card is equivalent to earning a 25% return for a person in the 28% tax bracket (18 divided by [1-.28] 72 = .25). That is because you would have to earn a 25% return to be left with 18% after taxes. Unlike investments, like stocks and bonds, the amount that you’ll earn by repaying debt is guaranteed and tax-free.

If you have no outstanding consumer debt (congratulations!), consider investing your tax rebates. A number of low-cost investment alternatives are available. You can add some money to your rebate and purchase U.S. Treasury securities (bills, notes, and bonds) which are available in $1,000 increments, as are unit investment trusts and corporate bonds. Don’t think a $1,000 investment will really matter? Think again. With an 8% return, your money will double in nine years according to the Rule of 72. At the end of 20 years, your one time $1,000 investment will grow to $4,660. Check the web site http://www.investing.rutgers.edu for additional investment ideas.

You could also use your $300 to $600 to fund part of your 2001 IRA. Check the calculators linked to the web site www.rothira.com to determine whether a traditional or Roth IRA is a better choice based on your age, planned retirement date, and marginal tax bracket. You are allowed to contribute up to $2,000 maximum to any IRA or combination of IRAs. In the years 2002-2004, the maximum IRA contribution amount will increase to $3,000 and eventually rise to $5,000 in 2008 and later.

Another good option is to invest in yourself or, as economists like to say, “build your human capital.” Take a course or other job training experience to improve your knowledge and skills. It could eventually lead to a raise or promotion and pay back your tuition payment many times over. Two good places to continue your education are county community colleges and professional or trade associations related to your occupation.

For further information contact: Linda Bowman, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, The University of Florida--Santa Rosa County Cooperative Extension Service--IFAS, at (850)623-3868 or (850)939-1259, Ext. 1360 for south county residents, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Hearing-impaired individuals may call Santa Rosa County Emergency Management Service at 983-5373 (TDD).

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin. The use of trade names in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved to the

exclusion of others.