Are you confused about the federal income tax rates on capital gains and dividends under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)? If so, you're not alone. Here's what you should know if you plan to sell long-term investments or expect to receive dividend payments from your investments. Old Rules Prior to the TCJA, individual taxpayers faced three federal income tax rates on long-term capital … [Read more...]
FAQs about Deducting Home Loan Interest under the New Tax Law
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes the rules for deducting interest on home loans. Most homeowners will be unaffected because favorable grandfather provisions will keep the prior-law rules for home acquisition debt in place for them. Old Rules for Mortgage Interest Deductions Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), you could deduct interest on up to $1 million of home … [Read more...]
How Can the Deferred Sales Trust be Used to Fund Alternative Investments?
How Can the Deferred Sales Trust be Used to Fund Alternative Investments? Let’s take real estate, for example. Frequently a DST is established as a bail-out or a Plan ‘B’ for a seller who is pursuing a 1031 exchange. Industry statistics show that 20% to 30% of 1031 exchanges fail because a seller is unable to identify their upside property within 45 days and successfully close on the … [Read more...]
The Use of Alternative Investments within the Deferred Sales Trust
By Greg Reese, Principal, Reef Point, LLC - Trustee for the Deferred Sales Trust The Deferred Sales Trust is designed so that the proceeds of the sale of a business, real property or highly appreciated collectables can achieve tax deferred status. The original seller of the appreciated asset first sells the asset to the Trustee of the Trust, who then “re-sells” the property to the intended … [Read more...]
Estate Planning – Broaching a Sensitive Topic
You may be uncomfortable at the thought of discussing your estate with your loved ones. But failing to do so could result in disagreements and conflicts when the details are revealed after your death. Discussing your plans in advance gives you a chance to explain: The distribution of your estate. Why you made certain decisions. You can also write a personal letter to some … [Read more...]
Go Green, Save Green: Tax Breaks for Saving Energy
Earth Day is April 22. This occasion reminds us to consider implementing changes to help reduce the amount of energy we consume. But "going green" isn't just good for the Earth — certain energy-saving expenditures also may qualify for generous tax breaks that are good for your pocketbook, too. Here are some tax credits for buying and installing certain types of energy-efficient residential … [Read more...]
Congress Raises 401(k) Hardship Withdrawal Limits
Most 401(k) plans permit hardship withdrawals, though plan sponsors aren't required to allow them. As it stands today, employees seeking to take money out of their 401(k) accounts are limited to the funds they contributed to the accounts themselves, and only after they've first taken a loan from the same account. Loans must be repaid, of course. The theory behind the loan requirement is that … [Read more...]
Reverse Mentoring: Moving Seasoned, Younger Workers Into High Gear
Reverse-mentoring isn't a new concept, nor is it widespread, though many companies could benefit from such a program. Pioneered at General Electric some two decades ago, the basic concept is that younger employees have a lot to teach older ones about work-related matters. In some corners of the business world, the idea is broadened to encompass mentoring by employees with diverse ethnic … [Read more...]
Last-Minute Tax Planning Tips for 2017
This year, Tax Day for individuals, sole proprietors and C corporations is Tuesday, April 17. You still have time to consider some moves in 2018 to potentially save federal (and possibly state) income taxes for 2017. Here are three last-minute planning ideas. Last-Minute Section 179 Option for Businesses Did your business make improvements to real property in 2017? If so, you might … [Read more...]
Estate Planning 101: An Introduction
What Is an Estate and What Planning Is Involved? It's important for you to understand what the word "estate" means so that you do not underestimate the broad scope of the term. The "estate" consists of all the property a person owns or controls. Examples of the more well-known items include personal property, real estate, bank accounts, insurance policies, business interests, certain trust … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 10
- Next Page »
