Putting off distributions and holding assets in your retirement accounts as long as possible may seem like a good idea, but waiting too long can cause a major tax problem. When you reach age 73, the trigger requiring minimum distributions (RMDs) from qualified retirement accounts is initiated, potentially causing unwanted tax obligations. RMDs explained [...]
The Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2024, a big drop from last year's increase of 8.7%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2023. For those contributing to [...]
You can begin receiving your Social Security retirement benefit as early as age 62. But by putting off your benefit start date you can receive a check that is approximately 8 percent higher for each year you delay receiving your benefit. The basics Full retirement age. Those born between 1943 and 1954 reach their full [...]
While most income received from your employer quickly ends up on a W-2 tax form at the end of the year, here are some common employee benefits that often avoid the impact of Federal taxes. Health benefits. While now reported on W-2's, employer provided health insurance premiums are currently not required to be reported as [...]
One of the more unpleasant surprises that can hit a taxpayer occurs when you sell personal property, rental property or assets from your small business. This tax surprise is often associated with depreciation recapture rules. Defined Depreciation recapture refers to reducing the cost of an asset sold by prior period’s depreciation expense to determine [...]
Suppose you take your best client out to dinner to celebrate your business relationship. If you own a business, are self-employed or run a side business, can you deduct any of the cost? Here are some tips to stay on the right side of the new rules: Make clear it’s a business meal In [...]
If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make an estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The third quarter due date is now here. Due date: Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 You are required to withhold at least 90 percent of your 2023 tax obligation [...]
The tax code uses jargon that can be confusing for the unwary. One of them that impacts most of us is the term unearned income. Unearned income is often defined as anything that is not earned income. If you find this kind of definition a little too vague, here is some clarity. Tax code definition [...]
If you contribute too much money into your IRA during the year, how do you correct the problem without facing a tax penalty? Here are some tips. Remember the annual limits 2023 Annual IRA contribution limits $6,500 per individual $7,500 per individual if age 50 or older ($1,000 catch up provision) This limit applies [...]
Many clients like to keep their Federal Tax withholdings as low as possible to avoid the IRS having their funds interest-free throughout the year. Other taxpayers, especially those with non-payroll income, must make quarterly payments to the IRS. As long as these quarterly payments are made timely and the amount of the payments is [...]
