Financial experts: Don’t freak out about the fiscal cliff

Blayney is a lot more sanguine – and light-hearted — than many financial experts. But make no mistake, the fiscal cliff– the package of tax hikes and deep spending cuts set to kick in automatically on Jan. 1 if Congress can’t reach a deal — will almost definitely impact you.The question is how much, and how can you minimize damage to your finances? We asked financial advisers for their advice. Here are the questions they’re sifting through with their clients.

Will my taxes go up?

Probably. And they may go up a lot.

“We’re looking at higher tax rates for a number of years,” said Michael Amato, president of Independent Tax and Financial Planners in Holland, Pa. “People don’t realize that rates were once much higher than they are today.” …

How can I shelter income to keep my tax bracket lower?

Amato suggested that if you expect a bonus, take it in 2012, not 2013. In the old days, advisers always told clients to defer income. But now, the tax rate on a bonus is probably discounted from what it will be next year. “The blue light special is on, and it may be a sale that’s going away,” he said.