If you own any Treasuries, take a grim look at what’s left after inflation and taxes. Inflation has already crossed the 6% mark. Are we going to see 7%? What does that do to savers? My answers are “Yes, soon” and “They get slaughtered.” The inflation rate, as measured by the one-year gain in the… More
Is it better to make pre-tax or Roth contributions to a 401(k)? getty Should you make after-tax Roth or pre-tax contributions to your 401(k)? Roth accounts can be powerful wealth-building tools. But paying tax early doesn’t always make sense, especially for taxpayers with significant income. Here’s when to consider pre-tax vs Roth 401(k) contributions. Quick… More
Year-end financial and tax planning is especially important for the millions of employees in the … [+] United States who have stock compensation getty When the Santa hats, holiday lights, and Christmas movies come on, it’s time for year-end financial and tax planning. This is especially crucial for the millions of employees in the United… More
Ecuador’s newly sworn-in President Guillermo Lasso. He allegedly transferred assets to trusts in … [+] South Dakota in 2017 amid reports that questioned his interests in a bank in Panama. (Photo by Cristina Vega RHOR / AFP) (Photo by CRISTINA VEGA RHOR/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images In recent decades, South Dakota has… More
Ask Larry Economic Security Planning, Inc. Today’s column addresses questions about how even with the deeming rules, it can still be possible to receive only retirement benefits before later spousal benefits, survivor’s benefit rates is the record holder dies before claiming and how the WEP and the GPO work. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of… More
Ask Larry Economic Security Planning, Inc. Today’s column addresses questions about the rate of reduction for filing less than 12 months before full retirement age (FRA), eligibility for benefits based on an ex’s record and how and when delayed retirement credits (DRCs) are applied when filing after FRA. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics… More
Most families with children are eligible for advance payments of the 2021 Child Tax Credit. getty Some 36 million families are eligible for advance payments of enhanced child tax credits for 2021, and the Internal Revenue Service has launched two new online tools to help taxpayers navigate this tax law change. There’s a Child Tax… More
If your uncle, best friend or bank loans you money, is it taxable? Nope, not if it’s a real loan. But the loan or income distinction lands many people in trouble with the IRS. Besides, interest rates on risky loans like litigation funding and pre-IPO stock are high, and you might not be able to… More
Couple enjoying a sailing cruise. getty The House Ways & Means Committee is once again tinkering with the law that requires retirees to take minimum distributions from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s. Each time, Congress eases the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules at great cost to the federal government. Yet the beneficiaries would… More
Which is better, using appreciated securities or an IRA? Here’s a calculator to answer the question. Volunteers at Habitat for Humanity in Culver City, California. (Photo by John Wolfsohn) Getty Images The 2017 tax law, with its huge standard deduction, did serious damage to the tax benefits of philanthropy: Now, for a lot of taxpayers,… More
Season to pay Tax, Budget, and Tax planning concept. Business woman wear glasses calculating annual … [+] tax and using mobile phone. Calendar 2021 and personal income tax form placed on home office desk. getty For the second year in a row, you have additional time to file your federal taxes. On March 17th, the… More
BRAZIL – 2020/10/09: In this photo illustration the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) logo seen … [+] displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Every once in the while the IRS comes out with something that may cause beleaguered tax preparers to breathe a sigh… More
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new standard mileage rates for operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes in 2021. The IRS has issued new lower mileage rates for 2021. getty New IRS Mileage Rates The new IRS mileage rates apply to travel starting on January 1, 2021. 56 cents per… More
Introduction Tax resolution is an incredibly lucrative service to bolt on to your existing tax practice. However, because it’s such a narrow, niched service, the traditional education provided to CPAs, attorneys, and Enrolled Agents really doesn’t prepare them to do this type of work. Unfortunately, neither do most continuing education programs that focus on this […] More
What will your state’s tax hike pay for? Education, bridges, public transportation? getty Arizona has likely flipped from a red state to a blue state, and along with that momentous change, its voters on election day have approved a massive state income tax hike on high earners. Put one way, it’s a 3.5% state income… More
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