Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Tax Planning”
These crucial years call for action. Today, retirement may seem nearer to you than it once did. The following moves might be worth making—and soon. Catch-up contributions to your retirement accounts. Starting in the year you turn 50, you may make a total of $1,000 in catch-up contributions to your IRAs each year and put an extra $6,000 per year …
How much can you gift in a year, and a lifetime? Federal tax rules allow you to give away millions of dollars during your lifetime. You can make five-figure gifts of money or property to other individuals in any given year. These gifts may be made without tax consequences … as long as they fall within the IRS annual …
Weigh the tradeoffs before you make your decision. Lifelong income or one large payment? Companies that sponsor traditional pension plans are starting to offer their workers this retirement choice. It’s not an easy choice, and it’s usually irreversible. The case for the lump sum. All that money is yours now, ready to be used or invested as you wish. Your …
A few astute moves could help promote a better after-tax return. As you weigh risk vs. return, you may risk taking an eye off taxes. A focus on tax efficiency could help you improve the effective yield of your portfolio. You can try to cut or delay taxes linked to investing. Consider placing the most tax-efficient investments you have in …
Its effect is subtle, yet significant. Even mild inflation eventually reduces the value of a dollar. If consumer prices rise just 2% a year for the next 25 years, $50,000 will buy the equivalent of $30,477 by the end of 2041. Or to put it another way, a car that costs $50,000 today will cost $82,030 by then. If inflation …
With the stock market hitting all-time highs on a what seems like a daily basis, now is the time to review heavily appreciated and concentrated stock holdings. What is intent of the investment that you are holding? Is there a particular goal in mind? No one knows what the value of the investment will be when you want to achieve …
Did you know that the age at which many workers will qualify for full Social Security benefits has risen to 67 from 65? If that’s news to you, you’re not alone: The majority of workers are still in the dark about Social Security eligibility requirements and many expect to qualify for benefits payments sooner than they actually will. Combined with …
Marriage affects your finances in many ways, including your ability to build wealth, plan for retirement, plan your estate, and capitalize on tax and insurance-related benefits. There are, however, two important caveats. First, same-sex marriages are recognized for federal income and estate tax reporting purposes. However, each state determines its own rules for state taxes, inheritance rights, and probate, so …
Money. It’s hard to get and easy to lose. It doesn’t take long for the wealth you’ve accrued to disappear if you don’t manage your money correctly or have a plan to guard your assets against sudden disaster. Traps like the ones revealed below could easily impede your financial security. Planning ahead can protect you and your family from getting …
If you are thinking about changing jobs, are you aware what your choices are for managing the money in your current employer’s retirement plan? Although many people have chosen to take a cash distribution, there are several options that may benefit you more. Uncle Sam Loves Cash Distributions Taking a lump-sum cash distribution may cause an immediate 20% federal …
Tax filing day has passed us by for another year (unless you are on extension). Most people don’t start planning for their taxes until they start receiving documents. At this point your accountant is a glorified scorekeeper showing you what you owe or what you are getting back. Now is the time to start planning for 2017, especially with all …
