Personal Financial Planning

Topics

April 1, 2018

Current U.S. tax incentives for higher education expenses

This article examines the requirements and limitations taxpayers face when seeking benefits of significant education-related income tax provisions.

March 1, 2018

Divorce and taxes: Hidden traps and your map around them

CPAs are in a key position to assess tax implications
of property divisions and must consider professional responsibility standards if the ex-spouses both want
to remain clients.

December 1, 2017

The CPA’s role in advising clients about the value of life insurance assets

Life insurance can be a surprisingly valuable hidden asset for clients who are retired.

December 1, 2017

Managing tax brackets in retirement

A tax adviser can help a client smooth out the high-income-tax peaks and the corresponding lower-tax-bracket years with an effective bracket-management strategy.

November 1, 2017

Advantages of a one-person 401(k) plan

These plans can allow a large amount to be contributed on behalf of the owner while maintaining flexibility in making contributions in future years.

October 26, 2017

Budgeting for realized gains

Disciplined planning for realizing gains lessens the potential for unanticipated taxes or ugly year-end surprises.

October 1, 2017

Federal retirement savings plan ended

Due to “extremely low” demand and high costs, the Treasury Department announced that it is ending the myRA retirement savings program.

September 1, 2017

Dispelling uncertainty: Scenario analysis for client security

A range of economic, political, personal, and other uncertainties can lead to clients having deep-seated fears about doing any one thing.

August 1, 2017

How to avoid penalties when a planned rollover goes awry

Taxpayers can take advantage of certain guidance to avoid a penalty if something goes wrong when trying to complete a rollover.

June 1, 2017

Uncompensated risk: The orphan of modern portfolio theory

Most fiduciaries breach a fiduciary duty simply because they ignore or neglect to follow the stated legal requirements for uncompensated risk management.

April 13, 2017

A new tax-efficient approach to protecting unrealized gains

A stock protection fund may be helpful to some investors.

March 1, 2017

Building on Compliance: The Evolution of Tax Services

Members of the public also recognize a CPA’s role as a trusted adviser for all their financial needs.

February 16, 2017

Reexamining tax-loss harvesting: Better results through enhanced understanding

Tax-loss harvesting offers the potential for significantly increased after-tax returns.

December 1, 2016

Tax Planning for Aging Clients: Medical Expense Deduction for Home Improvements

Many clients making modifications to make homes more accessible may qualify for valuable home improvement medical expense
deductions.

December 1, 2016

The Illiquid Marital Estate: Navigating the Division of Marital Residences and Retirement Accounts

This item focuses on the pitfalls and potential opportunities to consider in the illiquid marital estate arena.

December 1, 2016

Lump-Sum Distributions of Employer Stock Present Opportunities

When a qualified retirement plan account holds employer stock, a retirement plan participant could save thousands of dollars with proper planning.

December 1, 2016

Tax Planning Opportunities for Tax Attributes and the Decedent’s Final Tax Return

Careful and thoughtful advanced planning can result in substantial tax savings.

November 1, 2016

Deciding Whether to Roll Over to a Roth IRA

Deciding whether it makes sense to trigger the resulting tax liability depends on several factors.

October 20, 2016

Form 8332 Challenges for Divorced Couples

When parents divorce without a meeting of the minds or a well-crafted agreement, issues can result as to who is entitled to the tax benefits from supporting their children.

October 1, 2016