By Steven Smith | Peak Thoughts , Uncategorized
If you are – or expect to be – the owner of a $500,000 or greater IRA or 401k, you’ll want to monitor the progress of the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, recently passed by the House, by an overwhelming 417 – 3 margin. Among its provisions is the elimination of […]
Continue readingBy Steven Smith | Peak Thoughts , Philanthropy , Tax Planning , Uncategorized
‘Tis the season…for charitable giving. In our last post, we discussed the basics of the new tax law, its possible effects on charitable donations and the concept of “bunching” and a Donor Advised Fund as a workaround. Today we address the IRA charitable rollover – or, more technically, the qualified charitable distribution (QCD). IRA Goes […]
Continue readingBy Steven Smith | Financial Planning , Peak Thoughts , Tax Planning , Waypoints , Wealth Management
As of this writing the new tax bill hasn’t yet been signed by the President. But it already seems to have been sealed and delivered. So at the slight risk of being too fast out the gate, here is a summary of the vast new law which goes into effect on January 1, 2018 – […]
Continue readingBy Steven Smith | Financial Lifestyle , Peak Thoughts , Tax Planning , Wealth Management
Congratulations, the 2012 tax season is behind us. Time to start planning for 2013. The dramatic New Year’s Eve peek over – and retreat from – the fiscal cliff did not solve all of the country’s budgetary problems. But it did produce a historic and constructive piece of tax legislation that ended a great deal […]
Continue readingBy Steven Smith | Financial News , Financial Planning , Political News , Tax Planning , Wealth Management
The “fiscal cliff” is staring us in the face. The best chance of averting the consequences of failure to reach agreement will be in January, after the new Congress is seated. In the meantime, it is good to understand the details and to also do some planning.
Continue readingBy Steven Smith | Investment Management , Money , Small Business , Tax Planning , Wealth Management
The tax “fix” at the end of 2010 left us with a jumble of extensions, expirations, and new rules for 2012. We summarize some of the biggest changes and issues to watch for while planning your 2012 taxes.
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