Are you age 50 or older? If so, you can currently make extra "catch-up" contributions to certain types of tax-favored retirement accounts. Over time, these contributions can make a significant difference in your retirement-age wealth. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this retirement savings bonus. Here's what you need to know to reap the benefits. The Basics Eligible … [Read more...]
Tax Cut Law: Mostly Good News for Employers and Employees
The most immediate concrete change the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will bring about for employers is new payroll tax withholding rates. Here's the latest word from the IRS: "We anticipate issuing the initial withholding guidance in January reflecting the new legislation, which would allow taxpayers to begin seeing the benefits of the change as early as February. The IRS will be working closely … [Read more...]
2018 IRS Estate and Gift Tax Inflation Adjustments
The IRS has announced the 2018 inflation adjustments for many tax provisions, including exemptions for estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes and the annual exclusion amount for gifts. The 2018 estate and gift tax “exemption” will be $5,600,000, up from $5,490,000 for 2017. This is the total amount that can pass free from estate tax on death and/or from gift tax during life. The … [Read more...]
Issues Regarding Valuation of Cash and Non-Cash Assets in Estate Planning
Valuation of Cash or Financial Assets Valuation of Cash or Financial Assets is determined by providing an independent statement such as from a Bank, Brokerage, Insurance Company or other financial institution. Valuation of Tangible Personal Property In general, if the value of any item of Tangible Personal Property exceeds $5,000 then, a value must be established by reliable written … [Read more...]
Report Warns Retirees about Potential Downsides of Reverse Mortgages
Reverse mortgages have been around for years. But they're getting a new spin: Some senior homeowners are tapping into their home equity to "bridge the gap" until the time they're ready to apply for Social Security benefits. However, an independent consumer agency — the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — cautions retirees against using this strategy. A recent CFPB report claims that … [Read more...]
Qualified Domestic Trusts (QDOT)
The basic idea of a Qualified Domestic Trust or QDOT (normally built into most revocable living trusts) is to avoid the forced payment of estate taxes on the death of the first spouse with a large estate, where the intended recipient is a surviving spouse who is a non-U.S. citizen. Keep in mind that the following persons still enjoy an exemption from estate taxes on the first $5.54M in assets … [Read more...]
Business Continuity Solutions In Case of Death or Incapacitation
How does your small business Corporation or LLC pass to your family members upon your death? We have come across many entrepreneurs and small business owners who have taken their business to the next level by incorporating into a C-Corp, or Sub-S Corporation or an LLC. This provides the business with a lot of protection and flexibility but it doesn't automatically pass down to your heirs upon … [Read more...]
Is This Your Situation: Worried about Taxes on an Asset Sale?
There is always a temptation to just sell off assets that you've accumulated and take the cash. But that generally results in a tax bill. There may be a way to profit more from those assets by giving them away. By setting up a charitable remainder trust (CRT), you might be able to transform a tax liability into a tax break, receive a steady source of income for the rest of your life, and … [Read more...]
Naming Trusts as Designated Beneficiaries of Retirement Accounts
Treasury Regulations Permit Naming Trusts as (Designated) Beneficiaries of Retirement Accounts While often viewed as a "gray" area, the reality is that a trust can absolutely become eligible for designated beneficiary treatment, qualifying as a "see-through" trust where the post-death RMDs are calculated based on the life expectancy of the oldest of the trust's underlying beneficiaries. In … [Read more...]
