[ by Melanie Gretchen ]

The budget deal passed to avert the "fiscal cliff" will steer a majority of U.S. households into paying higher taxes.  Due to the expiration of a 2% payroll tax cut, more than 80% of households with incomes between $50,000 and $200,000 would pay an average increase of $1,635, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center in Washington.

The Tax Facts. Under the new deal, this is what we have to look forward to in 2013:

• Among households with incomes between $500,000 and $1 million, taxes would increase by an average of $14,812.
• The bill would raise the top tax rate to 39.6% from 35% last year, starting with income over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples.
• The top tax rates on capital gains and dividends would go up to 23.8%, from 15% last year.  The new rate includes a 3.8% tax from the 2010 health-care law that took effect today.
   

For further details, go to [Bloomberg, 1/1/13].