Natalia Gdovskaia / Getty Images Tax surprises rarely come from a single decision, but can result from many small ones that add up. Before selling investments, withdrawing retirement funds, or filing jointly without a plan, loop in your CPA or financial advisor. Key Takeways Selling investments without considering tax timing can push you into higher brackets. Coordinating financial decisions with your CPA or advisor before acting—rather than after—prevents costly surprises.​ Required minimum distribu ...

Retirement is something many Americans plan decades for in hopes of achieving. Sadly, only 40% of Americans aged 61 to 65 are ready for retirement, according to a recent report from Vanguard. The rest of the people in their 60s will largely depend on Social Security to make ends meet in retirement. Falling short of financial security in your 60s is concerning, but there’s often still time to recover. Here are four ways to get on track for retirement if you’re in your 60s. Also see 50 habits that will pr ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the complexities of tax and estate planning, particularly for retirees like James and Andrea, who have taken significant steps to prepare for their financial future and long-term care needs [1]. Group 1: Estate Planning - James and Andrea have established comprehensive estate planning documents, including wills, durable powers of attorney, living trusts, and have communicated their health care and funeral wishes with family and professionals [2]. - Their assets include a fully paid-off home valued at $2 million, art worth $100,000, a brokerage account with $500,000, and an emergency savings account of $100,000, all placed in a living trust to avoid probate [3]. Group 2: Retirement Accounts - The couple is considering consolidating and converting $2.8 million from traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, which would allow for tax-free withdrawals under certain conditions [4]. - Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the account holder's lifetime, providing flexibility in withdrawals and allowing the account to grow tax-free [5]. Group 3: Tax Implications - Converting funds from traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs will incur taxes, and the couple currently has an annual income of approximately $235,000 from RMDs, a small pension, and Social Security benefits [6]. - The tax rate for married couples filing jointly is set to increase from 24% to 32% in 2026 at an income threshold of $403,550, indicating a strategic opportunity for conversions before the tax increase [6].

Key Points RMDs can be a problem if you don't have a specific plan for that money. You don't have to spend your RMD, so you can invest it to better your finances later on. You can also give the money to charity or spend it on something special. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There's a reason so many people opt to save for retirement in an IRA or 401(k) plan, as opposed to a taxable brokerage account. Taxable brokerage accounts don't come with restrictions. ...

Tax season always feels like a scramble. You’re hunting for receipts, trying to remember if that donation counts and wondering if you’re leaving money on the table. Chances are, you probably are. Many taxpayers miss valuable deductions simply because they don’t know they exist or assume they don’t qualify. Here are 10 commonly overlooked tax deductions and credits that could save you hundreds or even thousands in 2026. 1. HSA Contributions If you have a high-deductible health plan, contributing to a he ...

At the same time, the study (and the growing research around estimating and communicating advisors' potential value to clients) offers some explanation into why tax planning and preparation are "elements I see time and time again among the fastest growing practices," said Shelby Nicholl, founder of advisor recruiting and consulting firm Muriel Consulting. Since early-career advisors often face difficulty generating organic growth — a problem shared by even some of the most profitable registered investment a ...

Out-of-pocket medical expenses often get overlooked because they’re only deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) . But if you’ve had a high-cost medical year, prepaying January appointments or procedures could push you over that threshold. Dental work, vision care, and prescription costs all count.Timing your charitable donations can help you maximize your tax deduction. If you're close to the itemization threshold, try bunching several years of donations into the current year (e. ...

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts such as HSAs, IRAs, and 401(k) plans to benefit from tax breaks [1][3] - In 2026, the maximum contribution limits for HSAs will increase, with $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage [7][11] - Individuals aged 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution to their HSA [4] Group 2 - It is advised to avoid treating HSAs as regular spending accounts, as the funds can grow tax-free if left untouched [5][8] - Eligibility for HSAs can change annually based on health plan rules, and individuals should verify their eligibility before contributing [9][10] - Funding an HSA when not eligible can lead to tax penalties, highlighting the need for strategic management of HSA accounts [10]

Core Idea - President Trump has proposed a $2,000 dividend refund check for U.S. citizens meeting certain income limits, which could be used for living expenses or investments, potentially compounding over time [1] Investment Strategies - A broad, dividend-focused ETF is recommended as a starting point for investments, with the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) highlighted for its diverse holdings across various sectors [3] - Dividend reinvestment plans are suggested for growing portfolios over time, allowing investors to buy more shares with dividends and benefit from increasing payouts [4] - Diversification is emphasized, with the recommendation to invest in multiple funds and companies across various sectors to mitigate risks from underperforming investments [4][5] Tax-Advantaged Accounts - The proposed $2,000 dividend refund check could be invested in tax-advantaged retirement accounts like traditional IRAs or Roth 401(k)s, which offer tax benefits such as tax deferral or tax-free growth [6]

Required minimum distributions, or RMDs, are a problem for some retirees. If that’s your situation, a Roth conversion may be able to help. The advantage to switching your money from a pre-tax portfolio, like a traditional IRA, to a post-tax Roth IRA is an end to RMD concerns. Since you’ve already paid taxes on the money in a Roth account, the IRS does not require minimum withdrawals. The disadvantage is that you have to pay taxes up front, when you convert the funds. Depending on your tax situation, in t ...