We've talked a lot about the rising cost of just about everything this year: food, energy, gasoline and health insurance to name a few.

Inflation rose a hefty 3.8% this year. That's almost triple last year's 1.4% inflation rate, and TWENTY times greater than the 0.18% inflation used to set the 2010 tax rates for everything from deductions and exemptions to tax credits.

Fortunately for us, the IRS has noticed, too and taken that into account.

So let's look at 9 key 2012 tax changes you need to know now…