wealthMD Blog

Every ten years the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of U.S. residents used in the determination of various demographical programs. The Census Bureau count also reallocates seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes among the states. The appropriation of seats is known as apportionment, which allocates the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the …

The onslaught of digital currencies has been an area of curiosity for central banks worldwide. Still, in the exploratory stages, central banks, such as the Federal Reserve, have not yet accepted cryptocurrency or digital currency as a valid form of monetary transactions. Rather, traditional currencies issued by countries such as the U.S. dollar, the British pound, and the Chinese yuan …

The three rounds of stimulus spending to combat the coronavirus and its economic affects have contributed to a nearly $4.5 trillion increase in federal debt held by the public, raising it to $21.9 trillion as of March 1. Existing federal debt is now the highest since World War II and exceeding the size of the nation’s entire economic output, as …

With home prices rising roughly 12% from February 2020 to February 2021, equity levels have risen producing heightened wealth among millions of homeowners. Elevated equity has allowed homeowners to remodel and improve existing homes, resulting in further home value increases.  A tight supply of homes nationwide has added to rising home values as growing demand for homes has produced multiple …

Inflationary pressures have taken hold throughout the economy, as raw materials required for almost every consumer product from bread to automobiles have increased in cost due to short supply and growing demand. Commodities such as wheat, copper, corn, lumber, and steel are essential for the production and manufacture of consumer products, whose rising costs are being passed along to consumers …

The prospect of resurgent inflation has developed into a growing concern for markets globally. Some believe that current inflationary pressures may be transitory and not lasting, while others contend that higher prices may become more permanent. Rising fiscal deficits along with increasing levels of federal debt are prompting the administration to explore the most significant tax hikes since 1993. Tax …

Wealth, as measured by assets owned by individuals among all income brackets, surprisingly is not as perceived by most. Federal Reserve data show that the top 1% hold just over 11% in real estate-related assets, while the bottom 50% hold over 50% in real estate. Data also reveal that the top 1% own nearly half of all equity and mutual …

Rising mortgage rates since the beginning of the year have slowed mortgage applications down. Should employment conditions improve allowing more to qualify for loans, then there could be a resurgence in refis and purchases for those that didn’t qualify last year. In addition, some lenders are expected to relax standards as volume declines, easing the loan qualification process. Optimistically, rates …

Economic Impact Payment (EIP) of $1400 per individual with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of up to $75,000 based on 2019 tax returns or 2020 returns if already filed. EIPs for qualifying dependents over 16 years of age based on parent’s income. Up to $10,200 of unemployment compensation exempted from federal income taxes for the tax year 2020 for taxpayers …

While the three stimulus programs amount to over $4.5 trillion were mostly funded by government debt, the recently introduced $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan will be primarily funded by tax increases. Preliminary indications are that the anticipated tax hikes will target both corporations and high-earning individuals. The tax increases may be the largest since 1993. The following are among the proposals …