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Retirement Income Alert: Do You Own A $1 Million Plus IRA In A High Income-Tax State?
If you own a $1 million IRA account and live in a state with a high income-tax rate, here's a financial planning tip that could save you thousands annually on state income tax. The strategy requires setting up a trust in a state with no income tax, which is probably not something you do every day. So, here's a primer.
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How Can We Help You Die In Peace?
"Financial peace of mind" is an overused term in financial services marketing. However, the help we provide in settling financial details of your estate indeed may bring you genuine-and eternal-peace of mind.
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A Primer On Setting Up A Trust Fund
Trusts funds used to be the realm of the wealthy, providing a tool to pass money to heirs and charities. Nowadays, though, they are becoming a means for more people to engage in smart estate planning.
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Three Strategic Mid-Year Tax Tips
With summer 2019 now underway, here are three strategic mid-year tax planning tips.
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How To Avoid State Income Tax On Distributions From IRAs
Do you own a large IRA and live in a state with an income tax? Consider setting up a non-grantor trust in a state with no income tax. While this financial planning tactic may sound exotic, it's common sense and can make a material difference in your life and beyond.
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Watch The Fed Closely In The Months Ahead
In June, the economic expansion entered its eleventh year, officially setting a new record as the longest growth cycle in modern U.S. history. The previous record-setter was the 10-year expansion that bracketed the 1990s.
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Say Goodbye To Stretch IRAs And Get A New Plan
Bid adieu to stretch IRAs! A new tax law widely expected to become law by the end of 2019 will kill this strategy for passing on your IRAs to the next generation while minimizing the amount that goes to Uncle Sam. Adoption of the legislation is not sure, but it is highly likely, making it wise to plan now for the demise of the stretch technique.
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Tax Alert: Plan Now For The Demise Of Stretch IRAs
Say goodbye to the stretch IRA! That's the message from Congress, where a pending bill with bipartisan support would deep-six this tax-advantaged practice. Stretch IRAs have been a boon to non-spouse beneficiaries who inherit a retirement account because they can extend the period of tax-free growth on an inherited IRA over their expected lifetime.
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Prepare For A Sweeping New Law On Retirement Account Taxes
A sweeping new law changing retirement investing tax rules was passed by the House of Representatives on May 29th. It's expected to be passed by the Senate and has the support of President Donald J. Trump. Although the legislation may not be signed into law until late this year, individuals with retirement accounts should consider how its enactment will affect them and their beneficiaries. Here's what you need to know now:
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U.S. - China Trade War Coverage Distorts Economic Reality
The amount of coverage in the media of the U.S. - China trade war is far out of proportion with the potential impact that China - U.S. trade has on the U.S. economy.
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Financial Briefs
The myRa Is Cut Short, But Other Options Abound
The myRA is going the way of the VCR. Citing unsustainable costs, the Treasury Department has announced it is closing down the program for this retirement savings vehicle. Participants will be notified about their options for moving funds into other investments.
The myRA was pitched as a way for moderate-income people to save for retirement and was designed to resemble the Roth IRA.
Just as in a Roth IRA, MyRA contributions were made with after-tax dollars, and withdrawals from the account during retirement were exempt from federal income tax. Unlike with a Roth, however, the MyRA had only one investment option: U.S. government savings bonds. So, you weren't risking principal, but yields were low.
Contributions were limited to $5,500 a year ($6,500 if you were 50 or older), but availability of this saving vehicle was phased out for upper-income taxpayers. And once your account balance reached $15,000, you had to roll over the funds to a Roth IRA, letting you choose from a wider array of investment options.
According to the Treasury Department, the myRA program has cost taxpayers $70 million, with projections that it would take $10 million a year to keep it going. It made the decision in mid-2017 to shut down the program. Yet most retirement savers still have numerous other options at their disposal.
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