- What Tax Rules Apply to an IRA Rollover?
Rolling over a 401(k) or other workplace retirement plan into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is very common when people change jobs or retire. Among other potential benefits, a rollover lets savers combine multiple accounts to keep better track of everything. But if the rollover isn’t done right, you could end up facing a big… read more…
- How the 10-Year RMD Rules Work for Inherited IRAs
Inheriting an IRA as a beneficiary can increase your financial security. But, because an inherited IRA usually imposes a 10-year distribution schedule, the account may also create larger tax implications than expected. However, exceptions to this timeline are available. Here’s how distributions work and how to prepare yourself for anticipated taxes. A financial advisor can… read more…
- Can Capital Losses Offset Ordinary Income?
Capital losses can indeed offset ordinary income, providing a potential tax advantage for investors. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows investors to use capital losses to offset up to $3,000 in ordinary income per year. But to understand this concept fully, it’s crucial to explore what capital losses are, the distinction between short-term and long-term… read more…
- Strategies for Protecting Income From Taxes
While you can’t avoid taxes, the IRS allows you to lower your tax burden by combining tax deductions and credits. Here are nine common tax-saving strategies to protect your wealth. A financial advisor can help optimize your investment portfolio to lower your taxes. Aim For Long-Term Capital Gains Long-term capital gains are profits from the… read more…
- Can You Have Two Primary Residences If Married Filing Jointly?
Getting married and having multiple homes are blessings to enjoy – unfortunately, a tax exemption for two primary residences isn’t among the benefits of such a situation. While it would be wonderful if two people filing taxes meant twice the benefits and exemptions, U.S. tax laws require married couples filing jointly to claim just one… read more…
- I Want to Give My Daughter and Her Husband $50,000 For a Down Payment. Do I Have to Worry About the Gift Tax?
Imagine you have $50,000 to give to your daughter and her husband for a down payment on their new home. The question is, will you owe gift taxes because of your generous gesture? Despite popular framing, the federal gift and estate taxes only apply to very wealthy households. Unless you have approximately $13 million to… read more…
- How to Reduce Your Tax Liability on a Roth IRA Conversion
Converting your current retirement accounts to a Roth IRA is typically a very tax-efficient strategy. It can help lower your lifetime taxes significantly. However it does come with a large up-front bill. While there’s no way to avoid conversion taxes completely, you can restructure them to make this much more manageable. By staggering out your… read more…
- The Ultimate List of End-of-Year Tax Tips
As the end of the year nears, calendars are crowded but make sure you set aside time to make sure your 2023 taxes won’t come back to bite you in 2024. Year-end tax moves fall into two categories: options that can save you money and required chores that can cost you money if not done… read more…
- How a Roth IRA Is Taxed
A popular and efficient way to stretch your retirement dollars is to take advantage of the tax benefits offered by Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs). However, to maximize these advantages, you need to know how Roth IRAs are taxed. Here’s a breakdown of taxation for Roth IRA contributions, earnings and withdrawals; and a comparison with… read more…
- I’m 75 and Still Working. Can I Avoid Taking RMDs?
Required minimum distributions, or “RMDs,” are the government’s way of getting its tax money back on retirement accounts. Starting at age 73, anyone with a pre-tax retirement account such as an IRA or a 401(k), must begin must begin withdrawing a minimum amount from this account each year. This triggers a tax event, generating the income… read more…
- How to Hire Your Child as an Employee and Save on Taxes
Hiring your child to work for your family business opens the door to potential tax savings for both you and your child. Paying your child a salary allows you to deduct their wages as a business expense, reducing the business’ taxable income. Meanwhile, your child can earn up to the standard deduction amount tax-free. The… read more…
- I’m Not Sure How Giving to Charity Can Reduce My Taxes. Is It Really Worth It?
Donating money to charities you care about feels good. It can also lower your tax bill by reducing your taxable income in an amount equal to the amount you give. A number of rules and restrictions govern how much you can give and how you can do it, though. Understanding how this works so you… read more…
- I’m Selling My Home and Netting $750k to Downsize for Retirement. Do I Have to Pay Capital Gains Taxes?
Suppose you sell your primary home and make a $750,000 profit. Will you owe capital gains tax on that profit? The short answer is yes. Depending on a handful of factors, you may owe tens of thousands of dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars. Your exact tax liability could vary drastically, so knowing what… read more…
- I Want to Convert $500k in My 401(k) to a Roth IRA. How Do I Avoid Paying Taxes?
You can’t avoid taxes when making a Roth IRA conversion, but there are strategies to reduce your tax burden if the circumstances are right. When you convert money from a pre-tax account, such as a 401(k) or an IRA, to a post-tax Roth IRA, you must pay income taxes on the full value of the… read more…
- How Foreign Real Estate Property Is Taxed in the U.S.
One of the most common mistakes made by Americans overseas is the belief that they don’t have to pay taxes. This is particularly common given that very few countries tax money made abroad, leading Americans to believe the same rules apply to them. This is untrue. Whether you are at home or abroad, you will… read more…
- How Creating an S Corporation Can Reduce Your Self-Employment Taxes
Creating an S Corporation can potentially reduce self-employment taxes by allowing business owners to split their income into salary and distributions. While salary is subject to employment taxes, distributions (such as payments that are made to shareholders from a portion of company profits) can potentially be exempt from those taxes. Here’s what you need to… read more…
- Common Tax Breaks for Retirees
Imagine evenings spent on a sandy beach, weekends filled with family gatherings and afternoons engaged in hobbies. This or a number of other scenarios could be your retirement life. However, if you’re not properly prepared for taxes then it might end up taking more than you planned for from your fixed income. Luckily, the federal… read more…
- Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Grant Money?
Dreams come in all shapes and sizes – and price tags. From getting a degree to launching your own business, accomplishing your goals sometimes takes more than a leap of faith. Fortunately, grants are available to financially fuel your path to achieving your dreams. However, the grant money can be taxable depending on the grant’s… read more…
- How Can Estimated Taxes Be Paid?
If you earn income that doesn’t have taxes automatically withheld, such as income from investments or self-employment, you may need to pay estimated taxes. Estimated taxes are pay-as-you-go tax payments individuals make throughout the year, typically quarterly, to cover their expected tax liability. The quarterly payment approach can help avoid underpayment penalties. However, instead of… read more…
- How to Avoid the Social Security Tax Torpedo
While retirees may be chagrined to discover that taxes don’t end when they leave the workforce, an unseen threat looms behind the U.S. tax code. The Social Security tax torpedo is as destructive as it sounds, blowing up the budgets of unsuspecting retired folks eagerly awaiting their first Social Security check. Having a clear understanding… read more…
- How a Solo 401(k) Is Taxed and What Is Deductible?
Investing in a solo 401(k) is a common retirement savings plan for self-employed individuals or small business owners. Let’s break down how it works, gets taxed and what potential deductions you can take. As with all retirement plans, how much you can save will depend on your specific circumstances. Therefore, getting personalized advice from a… read more…
- How Roth IRA Contributions Are Taxed
Roth IRAs offer a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement, and they’re a popular choice among investors. However, understanding how Roth IRA contributions are taxed is crucial for making informed financial decisions. Let’s break down the marginal tax rate, compare Roth IRAs to traditional IRAs, delve into the taxation of Roth IRA contributions and examine… read more…
- Do I Need to Worry About the Gift Tax If I Pay $30,000 Toward My Child’s Wedding?
Imagine your child is getting married and you want to help pay for their wedding. You’ve been saving for years and now have $30,000 set aside for their big day, which you plan to hand over in the form of a check. However, before you pass along that much cash, it’s important to understand the… read more…
- What Are the Income Limits for the Premium Tax Credit?
Managing your financial health promptly can seem challenging without the right guidance. The premium tax credit is a refundable tax credit in the United States that’s designed to help eligible individuals and families with low or moderate income afford marketplace health insurance. Its primary purpose is to offset the cost of health insurance premiums for… read more…
- What Is Unearned Income and How Does It Work?
Unearned income, also known as passive income, is derived from sources other than employment or business operations and can act as a financial safety net during times of job loss or financial crisis. It can also be a significant source of income during retirement. Unearned income is sometimes taxed differently than earned income. You might… read more…