Build Recurring Income

In 2006 the top 2% paid 60% of all income taxes but earned only 30% of the income.

Shouldn't we lower their tax rate to make it more fair?

I am going to be receiving ongoing income from my grandfathers estate. I have been told that it is taxable because it is classified as income not an inheritance since it is income earned by the estate since his death. I an trying to get an idea of what tax rate I should expect to pay. I do not know yet exactly how much I will be receiving.

My after tax income (including bonus and interest income) is approximately US$325K per month. I am a professional and my job is relatively steady (been with the same company for more than 5 years). What percentage of my after tax income should I be saving (either for retirement or a rainy day)? Obviously, it is better to save as much as possible. But I guess I want to know what percentage is a prudent guideline. Thanks

I am a US Citizens living abroad. I am in the process of filing tax return for 2008 for foreign earned income based on IRS' publication 54. Our earned income has already been taxed once by the country we live in.
I see that there are two ways to avoid double taxation on your income -the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit.
Can somebody please explain the difference between the two and point out advantages to use one over another?

I am a US Citizens living abroad. I am in the process of filing tax return for 2008 for foreign earned income based on IRS' publication 54. Our earned income has already been taxed once by the country we live in.
I see that there are two ways to avoid double taxation on your income -the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit.
Can somebody please explain the difference between the two and point out advantages to use one over another?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?

I've already accumulated about $45,000 in short term capital gains this year. I need to liquidate another $40,000 in stocks or sell part of an inherited IRA which, as I understand, will be taxed as income. Is the tax hit going to be the same either way?

Last year I had taxable income of about $53,000 with next to no capital gains. This year I expect about the same taxable income plus the capital gains.

So many of our founding fathers strongly oppose income tax.

Federal income tax and other income taxes wasn't introduced until the mid to late 1800's and in 1913. This is after all our founding fathers are gone or dead.

Any readings you recommend to find out why income tax was introduced?