Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Federal Reserve Did it Again ... Crushed the USD

This is
G&G Associates
e-Newsletter

The Federal Reserve Did it Again ... Crushed the USD

Hotep G&G Readers,

Yesterday's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has major repercussions on the market and your USD, but most folks don't even know what this means. 


Ben Bernanke and The Federal Reserve (Fed) has two mandates:  employment and inflation.  So think about this.  Even though the public may claim that there is inflation in energy and food prices, the statistics used by the Fed indicate that inflation is currently very low (Bull Shigidy). So they could scratch off inflation as something they needed to tend to at this Fed meeting, and concentrate on employment only. 

There is a saying a Jegna told me a long time ago .... "Liars can figure, but figures don't lie.  The key is can you figure out if they are lying or not."  So ... who do you thinks lying to you?  Yep ... your old trusted government ... of course this is an oxymoron in itself ... to believe government and truth go together.

And how do you get employment to rise?  

Companies will hire when they see demand for their product.  Currently, US consumers are fairly strapped, their incomes are not going up that much.  So companies that cater only to US demand don't have much leeway to see demand for their products or services to rise.  Hence they may not hire much.  But companies that cater to foreign buyers have a chance to increase demand for their goods if the dollar stays weak.  So if Bernanke was able to keep the dollar weak, the Fed might see multinationals based in the US increase demand for their products, and then they might hire soon.  And overall, if interest rates in the US stay low, most all companies might borrow cheaply in order to increase their capacity for greater output when the need arises, so keeping interest rates low was paramount to eventually helping out the hiring picture here in the US.

But, what effect does this have on your USD?
Take a look at what effect this had on the USD after Ben Bernanke's statement yesterday, the USD got crushed.  Take a look at the below 3 year USD chart I had been observing to determine what my next moves would be.

You see ... this was a major trend line support break. This photo was taken after the FOMC statement which clearly shows you what the market thinks about the USD and where it's heading.

Well, guess what, accomplishing low interest rates and a weak dollar are doing with raising bond prices, and how do you raise those bond prices?  By keeping demand for them firm.  In other words, no taper. 
Whether this was politically motivated by a suggestion from Obama is for conspiracy theorists to decide.

But the decision by the Fed not to taper certainly accomplished the objectives of keeping the dollar weak so that US companies can stay competitive on a world scale.  The weakening of the yen the past 10 months has been a thorn in the side of many US multinationals who have to compete with Japanese companies in cars, electronics, heavy machinery, and the like.  The no taper decision gives them breathing space.  And it certainly provides a method for the Fed to work on its mandate to provide employment stability.  It is a way out for the current administration if they run into snags with the debt ceiling or the seeming impossibility of a job stimulus package (that adds to the debt) to employ workers to build new infrastructure projects that are sorely needed here in this country.

So the latest salvo in the currency wars has been fired.  Who will fire the next shot?  Who needs it most?  In any case, we are now starting to see the logic in the Fed decision not to taper. 
 -------------------------------------------------------------

Internal Sponsorship:
                                                            Watch Your Money Folks

Since the announcement of QE3 until 2015 by the Fed Chairman and Japan’s outright start of the Currency wars, you need to really know how to protect and grow your financial portfolio … from the currency wars in process.

If you get paid in dollars and hold the majority of your assets in U.S. stocks or bonds, your wealth is in significant danger (401K’s, TSPs, 403Bs, Mutual funds, etc).

To become a member of the G&G Investment Society (GGIS) newsletter subscription to learn how to take advantage of some of our suggestions so you can protect your wealth and portfolio against a fallen dollar, send an e-mail to GGIS@gngassoc.com and/or visit our website at www.gngassociates.net and click on the “Products & Services” link and we’ll get you signed up right away.

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER DAY!

- 1 year subscription - $149

- 2 year subscription - $269

- Lifetime subscription - $699   {50% off tax prep & 25% off consulting services for life}

*** Membership Guarantee *** If you don't make your money back from being a GGIS member by the end of your subscription...we'll refund 100% of your subscription fee back. That's how confident we are that this will be one of the best financial moves of your life.


-------------------------------------------------------------

G&G Associates 
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You can find us on Twitter by searching for the handle "GG_Associates."

As always…feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think is interested in increasing their tax & financial IQ.

If you need a one-on-one consultation to learn how to implement these investments or any other tax or financial strategy mentioned in these newsletters, feel free to contact my office to setup an appointment.


Good Investing!

Ankh Uja Snb (Life, Health & Strength)
Asar Maa Ra Gray
Tax & Financial Consultant, RFC
G&G Associates
757-271-6068 office
866-361-3872 toll free fax
www.gngassociates.net

Become a Fan of G&G Associates and G&G Travel on Facebook & Twitter.

“Investing is much like gambling.  But, the difference is that with knowledge in investing you can at least increase your odds of winning.”
          J. Carter

P.S. If you are looking to Travel and looking for steep discounted travel, visit www.gngassociates.net, click on the “G&G Travel” link and let your travel planning begin.  Let us know where you want to go and we’ll do our best to find you the best deal your money can buy.  Become a Fan of G&G Travel on facebook.

LEGAL NOTICE: This work is based on what I’ve learned as a financial researcher and analyst based SEC filings, current events, interviews, corporate press releases and what I've learned as a financial consultant. It may contain errors and you should not base investment decisions solely on what you read here.  It’s your money and your responsibility.  Nothing herein should be considered personalized investment advice.



Thursday, September 5, 2013

Building megacities: could Africa lead the way?



This is

G&G Associates

e-Newsletter


Ɛtɛ Sɛn (What’s Up) G&G Readers,

Whether you know it or not, AfRAka is the next frontier and will be the next continent where huge investment opportunities will come.  If you aren't investing in the continent ...why not?  I wrote a newsletter several months ago about why I would and am investing in this new frontier.

If you didn’t read the report that I released in June on investment opportunities in Ghana, Africa, you are missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime.  If you are thinking about investing somewhere else, especially in real estate in the US, you might want to hold off until you read my report.  If you missed the report, you can READ IT HERE! 

Check out the link below to Ambitious city plans with the outlook to transform the African continent.  Again, will you benefit from such plans is the question?
  
 http://innovation.uk.msn.com/tomorrow/building-megacities-could-africa-lead-the-way

-------------------------------------------------------------

Internal Sponsorship:

                                                Watch Your Money Folks

Since the announcement of QE3 until 2015 by the Fed Chairman and Japan’s outright start of the Currency wars, you need to really know how to protect and grow your financial portfolio … from the currency wars in process.

If you get paid in dollars and hold the majority of your assets in U.S. stocks or bonds, your wealth is in significant danger (401K’s, TSPs, 403Bs, Mutual funds, etc).

To become a member of the G&G Investment Society (GGIS) newsletter subscription to learn how to take advantage of some of our suggestions so you can protect your wealth and portfolio against a fallen dollar, send an e-mail to GGIS@gngassoc.com and/or visit our website at www.gngassociates.net and click on the “Products & Services” link and we’ll get you signed up right away.

DON'T WAIT ANOTHER DAY!

- 1 year subscription - $149

- 2 year subscription - $269

- Lifetime subscription - $699   {50% off tax prep & 25% off consulting services for life}

*** Membership Guarantee *** If you don't make your money back from being a GGIS member by the end of your subscription...we'll refund 100% of your subscription fee back. That's how confident we are that this will be one of the best financial moves of your life.

------------------------------------------------------------- 

Good Investing!

Ankh Uja Snb (Life, Health & Strength)

Asar Maa Ra Gray

Tax & Financial Consultant, RFC

G&G Associates

757-271-6068 office

866-361-3872 toll free fax

www.gngassociates.net

Become a Fan of G&G Associates and G&G Travel on Facebook & Twitter.

“Investing is much like gambling.  But, the difference is that with knowledge in investing you can at least increase your odds of winning.”

          J. Carter

P.S. If you are looking to Travel and looking for steep discounted travel, visit www.gngassociates.net, click on the “G&G Travel” link and let your travel planning begin.  Let us know where you want to go and we’ll do our best to find you the best deal your money can buy.  Become a Fan of G&G Travel on facebook.

LEGAL NOTICE: This work is based on what I’ve learned as a financial researcher and analyst based SEC filings, current events, interviews, corporate press releases and what I've learned as a financial consultant. It may contain errors and you should not base investment decisions solely on what you read here.  It’s your money and your responsibility.  Nothing herein should be considered personalized investment advice. 



Thursday, August 29, 2013

Treasury and IRS Announce That All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized

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IRS Newswire August 29, 2013

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Issue Number:    IR-2013-72

Inside This Issue


Treasury and IRS Announce That All Legal Same-Sex Marriages Will Be Recognized For Federal Tax Purposes; Ruling Provides Certainty, Benefits and Protections Under Federal Tax Law for Same-Sex Married Couples
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today ruled that same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes. The ruling applies regardless of whether the couple lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage or a jurisdiction that does not recognize same-sex marriage.

The ruling implements federal tax aspects of the June 26 Supreme Court decision invalidating a key provision of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
Under the ruling, same-sex couples will be treated as married for all federal tax purposes, including income and gift and estate taxes. The ruling applies to all federal tax provisions where marriage is a factor, including filing status, claiming personal and dependency exemptions, taking the standard deduction, employee benefits, contributing to an IRA and claiming the earned income tax credit or child tax credit.

Any same-sex marriage legally entered into in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or a foreign country will be covered by the ruling. However, the ruling does not apply to registered domestic partnerships, civil unions or similar formal relationships recognized under state law.

Legally-married same-sex couples generally must file their 2013 federal income tax return using either the married filing jointly or married filing separately filing status.

Individuals who were in same-sex marriages may, but are not required to, file original or amended returns choosing to be treated as married for federal tax purposes for one or more prior tax years still open under the statute of limitations.

Generally, the statute of limitations for filing a refund claim is three years from the date the return was filed or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. As a result, refund claims can still be filed for tax years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Some taxpayers may have special circumstances, such as signing an agreement with the IRS to keep the statute of limitations open, that permit them to file refund claims for tax years 2009 and earlier.

Additionally, employees who purchased same-sex spouse health insurance coverage from their employers on an after-tax basis may treat the amounts paid for that coverage as pre-tax and excludable from income.

How to File a Claim for Refund
Taxpayers who wish to file a refund claim for income taxes should use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

Taxpayers who wish to file a refund claim for gift or estate taxes should file Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. For information on filing an amended return, see Tax Topic 308, Amended Returns, available on IRS.gov, or the Instructions to Forms 1040X and 843. Information on where to file your amended returns is available in the instructions to the form.

Future Guidance
Treasury and the IRS intend to issue streamlined procedures for employers who wish to file refund claims for payroll taxes paid on previously-taxed health insurance and fringe benefits provided to same-sex spouses. Treasury and IRS also intend to issue further guidance on cafeteria plans and on how qualified retirement plans and other tax-favored arrangements should treat same-sex spouses for periods before the effective date of this Revenue Ruling.

Other agencies may provide guidance on other federal programs that they administer that are affected by the Code.

Revenue Ruling 2013-17, along with updated Frequently Asked Questions for same-sex couples and updated FAQs for registered domestic partners and individuals in civil unions, are available today on IRS.gov. See also Publication 555, Community Property.

Treasury and the IRS will begin applying the terms of Revenue Ruling 2013-17 on Sept. 16, 2013, but taxpayers who wish to rely on the terms of the Revenue Ruling for earlier periods may choose to do so, as long as the statute of limitations for the earlier period has not expired.

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