Leveraging Investments for Charitable Donations
Utilizing investment assets to fund charitable contributions allows investors to maximize their donations while simultaneously receiving a greater tax benefit. Consider implementing the following strategies prior to the end of the year to elevate your charitable giving for 2024: Qualified Charitable Distributions(QCDs): A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from an […]
Year-End Tax Planning
While tax season is still several months away, year-end will be here before we know it. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you’re taking advantage of the tax-planning strategies that make sense for your unique situation. Here’s a short list of topics we’ll be discussing with our clients over the next few […]
Revisiting I-Bonds
I-Bonds were a fantastic investment opportunity in 2022 as inflation rates were the highest we had seen in decades. I-Bonds purchased from May 1st through October 31st of 2022 earned a return of 9.62% (annualized) for the first six months. Since then, rates on I-Bonds purchased during that period in 2022 have been much more […]
Qualified Charitable Distributions
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow taxpayers age 70 ½ or older with traditional IRAs (not including active SEP or SIMPLE IRAs) to make charitable contributions directly from their IRA to a qualified charity (not a donor advised fund or private foundation) that will be excluded from their taxable income. This is especially beneficial for those […]
Bonus Depreciation Phase Out
When businesses purchase eligible property such as equipment, there are two options available to allow them to accelerate book depreciation, rather than write the asset off over the useful life. Under Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), the business may expense the entire cost of that piece of property in the year of […]
IRS Delays Roth Catch-Up Requirement for High Income Earners
There was some good news from the IRS recently for high-income earners making catch-up contributions to their employer-sponsored retirement plans. The IRS recently issued a notice that they will be postponing one of the new rule changes under Secure 2.0 Act. If you recall, the Act was going to require high-income earners (individuals making over $145,000/year) over […]
Another IRS Rule Change For RMDs!
The original SECURE Act enacted back in 2019 made two notable changes (among many) for those who owned retirement accounts. The first major change increased the age at which account owners must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from their tax-deferred retirement accounts from age 70 ½ to 72. The second major change addressed how […]
EVs and Tax Credits
When deciding what electric vehicle to purchase, tax credit eligibility can be a big factor. All-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased new, in 2023 or after, may be eligible for a federal tax credit. However, there are various qualifications for both the buyer and the manufacturer that must be met in order […]
Tax Time – What to do with your refund?
Receiving a tax refund can be a great way to boost your savings, pay down debt, or invest in your future. But once you have that money in your pocket, where should you put it? Here are some of the best places to save a tax refund. Emergency fund An emergency fund is a crucial […]
Inherited IRA Strategies Post-SECURE Act
Many people in the financial planning world referred to the SECURE Act as the “death of the stretch IRA” because of the new 10-year rule. The 10-year rule requires most non-spouse owners of inherited IRA’s to spend down the balance of their Inherited IRAs by the end of the 10th year. Beneficiaries may be forced […]