As you probably heard on the news, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 on August 16. Among other things, the legislation includes various initiatives such as locking in the American Rescue Plan health coverage rates through 2025, increasing taxes for large corporations, incentives for clean energy use, and significant investments in making health care and prescription drugs more affordable. Do you have questions about how the Act impacts your investments? Set up a time to chat with me HERE Want to know more about where the market is heading? Learn more HERE or register for our upcoming Webinar where top industry analysts discuss their economic and markets forecast. Inflation Reduction? That Remains to Be Seen. The bill’s name would imply it seeks to tame runaway inflation. Unfortunately, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Penn Wharton Budget Model (a nonpartisan research organization) anticipate that the bill won’t significantly reduce inflation. However, the CBO went on to say that the bill will likely decrease the deficit by more than $100 billion over the coming decade. And reducing the deficit is always a good thing! Positive Impact on Healthcare and Drug Costs. Another positive impact for approximately 3 million Americans is the Affordable Care Act subsidy extension. These subsidies (currently paid by the federal government to lower premiums) were scheduled to expire at the end of this year; they will now be extended through 2025. A Healthier Planet. If you’re considering any energy-related home improvements, the bill includes a 30% tax credit for using energy-efficient windows and heat pumps, and rebates for upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. Solar panel installation will provide additional tax credits. For those owning an electric vehicle, there are new and expanded tax credits for electric vehicle owners. There’s also a tax credit for installing an electric charger in your home (although there are restrictions, so be sure to read the fine print). While the bill may not result in you seeing an immediate decrease on your weekly grocery receipt, it’s monumental in other ways. And, for many, future healthcare cost reductions will be a welcome change. As always, we’re here if you have questions or need guidance on your unique situation. Just give us a call! |

The Inflation Reduction Act: What Does It Mean for You?
August 23, 2022