Estate Planning

/ Estate Planning

The advantages of a living trust for your estate plan

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June 4, 2025 , ,

living trust

Do you believe you don’t need to worry about estate planning because of the current federal estate tax exemption ($13.99 million per individual or $27.98 million for married couples in 2025)? Well, think again. Even with this substantial exemption, creating a living trust can offer significant benefits, especially if your goal is to avoid probate and maintain privacy.

Here are some answers to questions you may have about this estate planning tool.
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Understanding the “step-up in basis” when inheriting assets

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April 23, 2025 , , ,

step-up inheritance

If you inherit assets after a loved one passes away, they often arrive with a valuable — but frequently misunderstood — tax benefit called the step-up in basis. Below is an overview of how the rule works and what planning might need to be done.
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You may be able to make a deductible IRA contribution for last year this year

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February 18, 2025 , , ,

IRA contribution

You may be able to make a deductible IRA contribution for last year this year

If you’re getting ready to file your 2024 tax return and your tax bill is higher than you’d like, there may still be a chance to lower it. If you’re eligible, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA until this year’s April 15 filing deadline and benefit from the tax savings on your 2024 return.

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Do you have questions about taking IRA withdrawals?

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January 14, 2025 , , ,

IRA withdrawal, RMD

We’ve got answers

Once you reach age 73, tax law requires you to begin taking withdrawals — called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) — from your traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA and SEP IRA. Since funds can’t stay in these accounts indefinitely, it’s important to understand the rules behind RMDs, which can be pretty complex. Below, we address some common questions to help you navigate this process.
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Maximize your 401(k) in 2025: Smart strategies for a secure retirement

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December 31, 2024 , , ,

maximize 401k

Saving for retirement is a crucial financial goal and a 401(k) plan is one of the most effective tools for achieving it. If your employer offers a 401(k) or Roth 401(k), contributing as much as possible to the plan in 2025 is a smart way to build a considerable nest egg.
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6 tax-free income opportunities

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September 3, 2024 , , , , ,

tax-free income opportunities

Believe it or not, there are ways to collect tax-free income and gains. Here are some of the best opportunities to put money in your pocket without current federal income tax implications:

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Are you liable for two additional taxes on your income?

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August 27, 2024 , ,

NITT and Medicare Tax

Having a high income may mean you owe two extra taxes: the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) and a 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wage and self-employment income. Let’s take a look at these taxes and what they could mean for you.

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Six tax issues to consider if you’re getting divorced

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July 16, 2024

divorce & taxes

Divorce entails difficult personal issues, and taxes are probably the farthest thing from your mind. However, several tax concerns may need to be addressed to ensure that taxes are kept to a minimum and that important tax-related decisions are properly made. Here are six issues to be aware of if you’re in the process of getting a divorce.

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Planning your estate? Don’t overlook income taxes

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July 10, 2024 ,

estate income tax

The current estate tax exemption amount ($13.61 million in 2024) has led many people to feel they no longer need to be concerned about federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller exemption resulted in many people with more modest estates attempting to avoid it. But since many estates won’t currently be subject to estate tax, it’s a good time to devote more planning to income tax saving for your heirs.
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