We’re coming up on the end of the year, and while it’s a time to take a break and enjoy the holiday season, it’s also a good time to consider tax strategies that may benefit you. Because taxes are calculated from January 1st to December 31st of each year, and certain retirement rules and laws reset at the same time, you may have some significant last-minute moves you can make with your money before the tax [...]
How you handle taxes and when you are taxed are two of the most important factors when it comes to retirement planning. If you are putting together the puzzle pieces of your retirement plan and you are curious about some strategies related to taxes and retirement, here are some possible options: Consider a Roth IRA Roth IRAs allow you to contribute to a certain type of account that is not taxed upon withdrawal as long as [...]
As you plan for retirement, it's important to consider tax optimization strategies to minimize your tax liabilities. Here are three key ways to optimize taxes in retirement, based on information from sources published between 2022 and 2023. Consider the Tax Structure of Your State and Locality Consider living in a tax-friendly state.[1] Many states offer tax breaks for retirement income or have no income tax, which can help you reduce your tax liabilities in retirement. Some [...]
Even as tax season winds down, it’s still important that you consider tax strategy as part of your financial picture. Many couples file jointly, and while it can sometimes help save on your taxes, it isn’t always the best option in each case! Here are some important factors to consider if you are filing taxes as a married couple. Determine if you can file jointly. If you have been recently married and you’d like to file [...]
Tax season is fast approaching, so you may find yourself with some important tax questions. This article will cover some of the pitfalls of this process to make sure that you get the most out of your taxes this year. Don’t file too early! You may be eager to file your taxes to get your return as soon as possible, but filing before you have all your documents can actually cause delays in getting your return. [...]
With the new year in full swing, tax season is just around the corner. Filing federal income taxes can be a long and complicated process, and mistakes are bound to happen here and there. As many of us know, these small mistakes can cost you big in tax returns and penalties. That's why it never hurts to brush up on the basics involved with filing your taxes. Knowing the most common tax-filing mistakes is critical to [...]
Taxes are among the most common concern for people in retirement. You might be wondering how to start thinking about your tax strategy so you aren’t taxed more than you need to be. These three mistakes can help start the conversation about what a comprehensive tax strategy might look like for you. Taking Too Much Income When you start to approach retirement, you’ll have to start thinking about transitioning from the wealth accumulation stage to the [...]
You’ll likely have several sources of income in retirement that can be taxed, such as IRA distributions and Social Security benefits. But, do you have any after-tax “buckets” that you can use strategically in retirement to help reduce your tax bill? There may be a few options available to you, so know how they work. How is a Roth IRA Different from a Traditional IRA? Many people contribute pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA during their [...]
When we think of major retirement expenses, we often consider housing, healthcare, and that trip of a lifetime we’ve been dreaming about for years. But, we often fail to consider what could potentially be our biggest expense – taxes. Many of your sources of income in retirement are taxable, so don’t overlook these three unexpected taxes in retirement. Tax on Your Social Security Benefit Although you’ve paid into Social Security your entire working life, your benefit [...]
Taxes could be one of your biggest expenses in retirement. But once you have an estimate for your tax burden in retirement, you can consider ways to minimize it. The first step towards creating a tax minimization strategy in retirement is looking at how your different sources of income will be taxed. Pensions If you have a private pension, your pensions payments could be taxed at ordinary income rates. They could also be subject to state [...]