If you didn’t get around to contributing to an IRA in 2021 and you’re looking for ways to lower your tax bill, you may still have an option. Qualified taxpayers can make deductible contributions to traditional IRAs until the tax filing date of April 18, 2022, and claim the benefit
Given the steep cost of nursing homes, planning for long-term care is critical. This holds true not only for you, but also possibly for aging parents if they’re still in your life. One important question to consider is whether you could be held financially responsible for your parents’ nursing home
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons, job upheaval has become common among Americans over the past year or so. If you may soon change employers, handle your retirement plan with care. LEAVE AS IS If your plan with your previous employer has a balance of at least $5,000,
Whether you’re in the process of making a retirement or estate plan, or intend to donate property to charity, you’ll need to know the value of your assets. For many hard-to-value items – such as closely held business interests, real estate, art of collectibles – an appraisal may be necessary.
Did you know that you can transfer funds directly from your IRA to a Health Savings Account (HSA) without taxes or penalties? According to the IRS, you’re permitted to make one such “qualified HSA funding distribution” during your lifetime. Ordinarily, if you have an IRA and an HSA, it’s typically
Many Americans receive disability income. If you’re one of them or know someone who is, you may wonder whether it’s taxable. As is often the case with tax questions, the answer is “it depends.” KEY FACTOR The key factor is who paid it. If the income is paid directly to
Receiving a sudden and sizable influx of cash may seem like a dream come true. It can be, but many people get blown away by a windfall and end up in worse financial shape. RISKY CONDITIONS Perhaps the most obvious example is you may be tempted to immediately buy an
Because of the current estate tax exemption amount ($11.7 million in 2021), many estates no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. Years ago, a much smaller exemption amount put more pressure on estate plans to avoid it. Now that many estates won’t be subject to estate tax,
Many banks conduct regular “stress” tests to predict the impact of adverse external events on their earnings, capital and loan portfolios. Banks use the results to shore up any revealed weaknesses. Investors should periodically perform similar stress tests on their investment portfolios. Stress testing is the ultimate “what if” analysis.
Many young adults are heading off or back to college in the fall. It’s particularly exciting this year because of high hopes that, thanks to mass vaccinations, students will be able to have something approaching a traditional college experience. If your child has been awarded a scholarship, that’s cause for
