8-Step Year-End Checklist
HARVESTING LOSSES Even in the best of times, not every investment may perform as expected. Tax-loss harvesting refers to selling a security in a taxable brokerage account that is worth less than its purchase price. The loss can be used to offset a gain in a taxable account or reduce your income by up to […]
Some Retirement Plan Benefits Will Increase for 2025
With the 2025 tax year almost here, there’s news from the IRS about retirement savings. According to a recent announcement from the tax agency (Notice 2024-80), there will be increases to some retirement plan contributions next year due to inflation adjustments. However, with inflation coming down, not all types of retirement plans will see increases, […]
Elder Scams: Don’t Take the Bait
Today, virtually everyone is vulnerable to fraud schemes, from teenagers searching social media to middle-aged people making online purchases and senior citizens caught up in Ponzi schemes. But financial exploitation of elderly people is especially rampant. According to a recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Americans lose an estimated $28.3 billion […]
Have You Considered a Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion?
Traditional IRAs are a well-known, tax-deferred retirement saving vehicle. But they come with a major downside: You’re taxed on withdrawals. Roth IRAs eliminate this downside. You can take federal-income-tax-free qualified withdrawals, but the trade-off is that contributions to Roth accounts don’t reduce your current-year taxable income. If you want to jump on the Roth IRA […]
WEBINAR: 2024 Year-End Planning & Tax Update
Click below to watch our 2024 Year-End Planning & Tax Update led by Douglas W. McCabe, CPA, Esq., Emilee N. Snader, CPA, and Gigi G. LeKites, CFP®, CRPC®. This one hour webinar covers the latest tax issues, an overview of recent legislation, and year-end planning opportunities. For educational purposes only. Nothing in this article is […]
Just Married? Financial Chores to Complete when You Tie the Knot
Wedding season may peak in late summer and early fall, according to wedding website TheKnot.com, but new marriages take place all year round. Whether you’re planning a wedding celebration now or later, it’s important to remember the administrative tasks to address when you say, “I do.” Many of these tasks relate to name changes. Some […]
8 Steps Toward Enhanced Financial Security
During uncertain times, you may be concerned about the effects world events will have on your financial affairs. Of course, there are no absolute guarantees of protection, but shoring up your defenses and laying the groundwork for a comprehensive wealth-management plan can help. Here are eight steps you can take now to help strengthen your […]
Roth 401(k) Plans Have New Appeal for Employers
The traditional 401(k) plan is the most popular qualified retirement plan in the United States. As of March 31, 2024, Americans held $7.8 trillion dollars in 401(k) plans (out of a total $11.1 trillion invested in qualified retirement plans), according to the Investment Company Institute. In fact, your organization probably offers a 401(k) plan to […]
Smart Tax Planning Pays Off
If you’re financially successful or expect to become so, taxes are or will become one of your biggest expenses — and most people want to minimize their tax obligations. Roughly two-thirds of Americans say that they pay too much in federal income taxes, according to a poll earlier this year from the University of Chicago […]
Is Your Estate Plan Bulletproof? Techniques to Help Avoid Fighting Later
An inherent problem with wills and other estate planning documents such as trusts is that, when the time comes to put them into action, you won’t be around to explain or interpret them. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use during your lifetime to minimize the risk of a fight over your estate after your […]
