In these uncertain times, tax planning is more important than ever

1. In these uncertain times, tax planningis more important than ever Presented by: <<Company Name>> [Insert your logo here]

2. The agenda • Tax planning basics • Family & education • Charitable giving • Investing • Real estate • Business • Retirement • Estate planning [Insert your logo here]

3. TAX PLANNING BASICS Rising rates and expiring breaks complicate tax planning

4. AMT triggers • State and local income tax deductions • Real estate and personal property tax deductions • Interest on home equity loan or line of credit not used to buy, build or improve your principal residence • Miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to 2% of AGI floor • Long-term capital gains and dividend income • Accelerated depreciation adjustments and related gain or loss differences when assets are sold • Tax-exempt interest on certain private-activity municipal bonds • Incentive stock option exercises [Insert your logo here]

5. Avoiding AMT or reducing its impact • Planning for AMT will be a challenge until Congress passes long-term relief • AMT system isn’t regularly adjusted for inflation • Congress legislates adjustments, typically as a “patch” [Insert your logo here]

6. What to consider doing • If subject to AMT this year • Accelerate income and short-term capital gains into 2012 • Defer expenses you can’t deduct for AMT purposes until 2013 • Defer expenses you can deduct for AMT purposes to 2013 • If subject to AMT next year • Defer income until 2013 • Prepay in 2012 expenses you can’t deduct for AMT purposes • Sell private activity municipal bonds whose interest could be subject to the AMT before year end [Insert your logo here]

7. The AMT credit and how it works If you pay AMT in one year on deferral items, you may be entitled to a credit in a subsequent year. In effect, this takes into account timing differences that reverse in later years. The credit might provide only partial relief or take years before it can be fully used. [Insert your logo here]

8. Timing of income and expenses is key • Smart timing can reduce your tax liability • Poor timing can unnecessarily increase it • Tax rates are scheduled to rise in 2013 TIP:If you don’t expect to fall victim to the AMT this year or next, consider deferring income to 2013 and accelerating deductible expenses into 2012. [Insert your logo here]

9. Know which items to time • On the income side • Bonuses and self-employment income • U.S. Treasury bill income • Retirement plan distributions, if not required • On the expense side • State and local income taxes • Property taxes • Mortgage or margin interest • Charitable contributions TIP: Higher-income taxpayers may have an opportunity for some larger deductions through 2012. [Insert your logo here]

10. Beware of prepaid expenses They generally can be deducted only in the year to which they apply [Insert your logo here]