Rosa Updale-- Associate Broker

Check with you accountant to see if you, or someone you know is able to take advantage of President Bush's TAX RECONCILIATION ACT.
This information is from an article from Wikipedia

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In the United States, individuals and corporations pay income tax on the net total of all their capital gains just as they do on other sorts of income. Capital gains are generally taxed at a preferential rate in comparison to ordinary income. This is intended to provide incentives for investors to make capital investments and to fund entrepreneurial activity. The amount an investor is taxed depends on both his or her tax bracket, and the amount of time the investment was held before being sold.
Short-term capital gains are taxed at the investor's ordinary income tax rate, and are defined as investments held for a year or less before being sold.
Long-term capital gains, which apply to assets held for more than one year, are taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains. In 2003, this rate was reduced to 15%, and to 5% for individuals in the lowest two income tax brackets. These reduced tax rates were passed with a sunset provision and are effective through 2010; if they are not extended before that time, they will expire and revert to the rates in effect before 2003, which were generally 20%.
The reduced 15% tax rate on qualified dividends and long term capital gains, previously scheduled to expire in 2008, was extended through 2010 as a result of the TAX RECONCILIATION ACT signed into law by President George W. Bush on May 17, 2006. As a result:

In 2008, 2009, AND 2010, the tax rate on qualified dividends and long term capital gains is 0% for those in the 10% and 15% income tax brackets. After 2010, dividends will be taxed at the taxpayer's ordinary income tax rate, regardless of his or her tax bracket.
After 2010, the long-term capital gains tax rate will be 20% (10% for taxpayers in the 15% tax bracket). After 2010, the qualified five-year 18% capital gains rate (8% for taxpayers in the 15% tax bracket) will be reinstated. Technically, a "cost basis" is used, rather than the simple purchase price, to determine the taxable amount of the gain. The cost basis is the original purchase price, adjusted for various things including additional improvements or investments, taxes paid on dividends reinvested, certain fees, and depreciation.

I do think that there are taxpayers who may be in 15% bracket who will be able to take advantage of this ACT.

One of my favorite meals to prepare is Thanksgiving Dinner, creating memorable meals for the last several years.

This year it will be a challenge, with several guests banning certain foods from their diet----one on the Atkins, one on Weight Watchers, another no sugar, who eats only vege's and kids who think chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese or pizza are the greatest meals ever!!

So, I'm starting to plan already, checking out cookbooks and reading labels.

ANY IDEAS?

Staten Island's South Shore is full of Halloween festivities starting tomorrow! Historic Richmondtown is having several events, including trick or treating around the village with arts and crafts and a MYSTERY, MURDER, MISCHIEF event for kids! www.historicrichmondtown.org.

At GREENSIDE UP NURSERY in Annadale, visit the SINISTER SWAMP where monsters rise from the swamp!!

At GREENSIDE UP NURSERY in Charleston you can walk-through where creatures "eat" visitors at their "FLESH FEAST".

And, if your really brave, you can join spiders, demons and devils at the Church of St. Andrews on Mill Road for FRIGHT NIGHT!

SATURDAY is the FIFTH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA at Bloomingdale Park. There will be pumpkin picking and decorating, pony rides, crafts, games and treats! 11a.m. to 2 p.m.

If a hayride, a corn maze and some pumpkin picking is more your style, visit DECKER FARM'S. Shuttle available from Richmondtown www.historicrichmondtown.org.

HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT BOWL-A-THON STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

COME JOIN US TOMORROW(SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th) for some fun at APPLESEED HOMES' BOWL-A-THON to benefit the WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT. You will meet some of our veterans as well as some TV guests. We will be raising money by having sponsors for our lanes(60 so far), sponsors for our 100 bowlers!), 50/50 plus some great baskets for raffle! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT APPLESEED HOMES (718)966-4000

Recently closed on a home that I had listed for only one week. The seller took care of

the necessary issues we priced the house correctly in today's market, put up

a sign and had an open house and BINGO! 22 BUYERS ON FIRST SHOWING--THREE FULL

PRICE OFFERS TRULY A REALTORS DREAM!