By Zachary A. Goldfarb, Washington Post, Nov. 26, 2012

The White House warned Monday that the average family will pay $2,200 more in taxes next year if Congress does not freeze tax rates for the middle class, publishing a new report as part of President Obama’s campaign to extend tax cuts for most Americans while allowing taxes on the wealthiest to rise.

The White House report says Americans could dramatically pull back on spending in the crucial holiday season if they expect sharp tax hikes next year, which would cut deeply into take-home pay. A tepid shopping season would interrupt a string of positive data in recent weeks that suggest Americans are increasingly opening their pocketbooks after years of post-recession caution.

The report is part of a strategy to pressure Congress to pass legislation that would immediately extend the George W. Bush-era tax cuts for families earning less than $250,000 a year.

The Democratic-controlled Senate has signed off on the legislation. Now it is up to the Republican-controlled House to decide whether it will follow [....]

Also see:

White House Sees Stunted Growth if Tax Cuts Expire
By Peter Baker,  Debt Reckoning @ nytimes.com, Nov. 26, 2012

Americans could spend nearly $200 billion less next year than they would otherwise if automatic tax increases take effect, the White House warned in a new report.