Congressional leaders have reached a tentative compromise to extend the payroll tax cut through the end of 2012, saving families who make $50,000 a year an estimated $1,000 annually. The plan would also stop benefits for the long-term unemployed from expiring next month, as well as blocking a cut in reimbursements to doctors who accept Medicare. Republicans dropped several controversial provisions, including one that required jobless people to pursue high school equivalency degrees in order to receive aid.