PeopleImages / Shutterstock When you earn money, the IRS is usually entitled to a portion of it. Just as you pay taxes on wages, you also pay taxes when you make money from your investments. There are different ways your investment portfolio could increase your IRS bill. If you earn interest payments on bonds, those may be subject to taxes. If you own dividend stocks, dividends can be taxable, too. You can also end up owing the IRS money when you sell an investment at a higher price than you initially ...

The math doesn’t add up. Billionaires watch their wealth grow by billions annually, yet many pay lower tax rates than middle-class workers. Some years, they pay nothing at all in federal income taxes. So I asked ChatGPT to explain how this actually works. The answer wasn’t about illegal tax evasion or secret offshore accounts. It’s simpler than that — and completely legal. The System Taxes Income, Not Wealth Here’s the foundation of everything: the U.S. tax code taxes income, not wealth. Billionaires d ...

A number of changes are coming to 401(k) plans in 2026, including higher contribution limits for all account holders. The amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans will rise to $24,500 in 2026 from $23,500 for 2025, according to the IRS. Trending Now: Suze Orman Says If You’re Doing This, You’re ‘Making the Biggest Mistake in Life’ Try This: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Another change, included in the Secure 2.0 Act of 2022, targets high earners over 50 only. This ch ...

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Truxton Wealth is pleased to announce the addition of Matt Winn as Vice President and Wealth & Tax Strategist. In this role, Matt will deliver comprehensive tax planning solutions tailored for high-net-worth individuals, families, and business entities. "We are thrilled to welcome Matt Winn to Truxton Wealth," said Drew Mallory, Chief Fiduciary Officer. "Sound comprehensive tax strategy is fundamental to delivering our client value proposition. Matt's expe ...

Core Insights - Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow retirees to donate directly from their IRAs to charities, which can reduce their taxable income more effectively than standard deductions [5][16] - A significant majority of Americans, 91%, opt for standard deductions, which means their charitable donations do not lower their taxable income [2][4] - Retirees aged 70½ or older can donate up to $108,000 annually through QCDs, with the limit adjusting for inflation due to the Secure Act 2.0 [3][4] Group 1: QCD Mechanism and Benefits - QCDs are direct transfers from a pretax IRA to a registered charity, keeping the transaction off the tax return and avoiding taxable income [5][8] - For retirees who must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), QCDs can fulfill this requirement while avoiding tax implications [7][16] - QCDs are particularly beneficial for retirees with IRA balances in the mid-six figures or higher, although those with smaller IRAs can still see some tax benefits [4][16] Group 2: Implementation and Considerations - To execute a QCD, funds must be in an IRA; if held in a 401(k), a rollover to a traditional IRA is necessary [14][15] - Timing is crucial, as IRS rules require rollovers to be completed within 60 days to avoid penalties [15] - It is essential to verify that the charity is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, as donor-advised funds and private foundations do not qualify for QCDs [18]

Core Insights - Upper-middle-class Americans are in a financial gray zone, enjoying some comfort but needing to manage their finances carefully [1] Financial Metrics and Definitions - The upper-middle class is defined by specific financial metrics, with median annual income ranging from $94,001 to $153,000 and median net worth at $269,100 [7] Financial Management Strategies - Households are advised to move excess cash from low-interest bank accounts into short-term Treasuries or Treasury ETFs, which yield 4% or more, to avoid "dead money" [3] - With interest rates trending downward, short-term Treasuries offer safety, liquidity, and better yields [4] Tax Strategy - Most upper-middle-class earners will fall into the 24% tax bracket in 2026, with standard deductions increasing by $350 for single filers and $700 for joint filers compared to 2025 [5] - Recommendations include maximizing retirement savings and strategically aligning deductions, such as charitable donations, to offset high income [6][8]

Turning to ChatGPT for advice is becoming increasingly common. Whether you’re looking for a dinner idea, a quick explanation or help writing a tricky email, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot have become useful tools for many people. They’re always ready and available to help with the most common or trickiest personal issues — including your personal finances. But should you trust their advice? For You: 5 Ways AI Is Quietly Reshaping the Stock Market — and How It Impacts Your Wallet Lea ...

Core Insights - Transferring funds from a pre-tax retirement account to a Roth IRA can provide benefits such as avoiding required minimum distributions (RMDs) and taxes on withdrawals in retirement [1][2] - Gradual conversion of IRA funds to Roth accounts is a common strategy to save on taxes now while allowing for tax-free withdrawals later [1][4] - The decision to convert should consider the retiree's expected tax bracket post-retirement, as converting when in a higher tax bracket may not be beneficial [3] Roth Conversion Rules - Roth accounts are exempt from RMD rules, allowing retirees to avoid mandatory withdrawals that could increase tax liability [2] - Withdrawals from Roth accounts are tax-free after age 59 1/2, which does not affect Social Security benefit taxation [2] - Roth accounts facilitate tax-deferred wealth transfers to heirs, making them advantageous for estate planning [2] Conversion Techniques - Converting a large IRA all at once can lead to significant tax burdens; therefore, gradual conversion is often recommended [4] - Spreading conversions over multiple years can help avoid higher tax brackets and reduce overall tax liability [4] - The focus should be on the dollar amount converted each year rather than a fixed percentage, as this directly impacts current taxes [5]

Core Insights - Tax planning is becoming a critical advisory service, with nearly 70% of high-net-worth clients prioritizing tax reduction, yet less than half of advisors currently offer this service [2][4] - The demand for integrated wealth management that includes tax strategy in every decision is increasing, shifting from a value-add to a necessity [5] - Advisors are facing evolving client inquiries regarding the impact of new tax laws on various financial aspects, indicating a need for more sophisticated tax planning [6] Industry Trends - Americans paid over $206 billion in capital gains taxes last year, highlighting the significant financial impact of tax planning [2] - A growing emphasis on transition management is noted, particularly when clients bring 401(k)s in-house, which can lead to substantial capital gains taxes if not managed properly [5] - Only 53% of advisors working with clients holding $5 million or more offer tax planning services, compared to just 38% for those with clients under $100,000 [7] Advisory Practices - Traditional tax planning methods are evolving from end-of-year tax-loss harvesting to more frequent management, such as monthly or weekly strategies [4] - Firms are hesitant to invest in the necessary expertise for effective tax planning, viewing it as a costly endeavor despite the potential for performance gains being eroded by taxes [4] - The need for advisors to adapt to the changing landscape of client expectations and regulatory impacts is emphasized, with a call for a more proactive approach to tax strategy [6]

Core Insights - The average net worth considered necessary to be deemed wealthy in America is $2.5 million according to Charles Schwab's 2024 Modern Wealth Survey [1] Investment Principles - Investing like wealthy individuals involves following core principles such as prioritizing long-term growth, diversification, and seeking professional advice while avoiding emotional decision-making [3][4] - Wealthy investing emphasizes discipline, access, and optimization, starting small and scaling with knowledge [4] Strategies Employed by Wealthy Investors - Diversification across asset classes is crucial, with wealthy individuals spreading investments across stocks, bonds, real estate, private equity, and alternative investments to reduce risk and capture growth opportunities [4] - Access to private investments is common among wealthy individuals, often requiring significant capital, though platforms like AngelList can provide entry for smaller investors [4] - Collaboration with financial advisors is a key strategy, allowing wealthy individuals to leverage professional wealth management and tax advice [4] - Utilizing tax-advantaged structures, such as IRAs or 401(k)s, is essential for maximizing investment contributions and reducing tax liabilities [4] - A focus on long-term value is fundamental, with an emphasis on investing in quality assets with strong fundamentals rather than chasing short-term trends [4] - Strategic use of debt is common, with wealthy individuals often financing investments through low-interest loans, particularly in real estate or business ventures [5]