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Most of you invest through both tax-deferred accounts (such as IRAs) and taxable accounts. You also own both stock and bond investments. To maximize after-tax returns, you want to know which investments should be primarily in the taxable accounts and which in the tax-deferred accounts. First, don’t let the taxes drive your portfolio allocation. Decide […]
The solution to your health insurance problems can be very simple and can give you an IRS-approved tax break. The strategy also can generate several additional tax advantages. This solution, which I have recommended for years, is to hire your spouse to work in your business. As part of the business’s benefit plans, you offer […]
Few things indicate wealth, success, and good works like having your own charity. For generations, the super wealthy have had their own charitable foundations. Foundations come with a lot of restrictive rules and are expensive to maintain. Now, innovations make it possible for anyone to have a charitable foundation at very low cost and with […]
To paraphrase Archie Bunker, from a holiday episode of “All In The Family,” the gift-giving season is at our throats again. Gifts are a great estate planning tool, because they get property out of your estate and to your heirs ? and the gifts can avoid taxes. Let’s look at ways to ensure these gifts […]
Mutual fund investors have both the tax law and the markets working against them this year. On top of mediocre returns, many funds are making very high taxable distributions to shareholders. That cuts into your after-tax return. But you can beat this double whammy and walk away with much of your hard-earned gains intact. The […]
Did you know that you might be able to move from low-tax Virginia, retire in Massachusetts, and cut your tax bill dramatically? That’s true, if you are a federal government retiree. Your government pension annuity is exempt from taxes in Massachusetts and several other states, but not in Virginia. Florida seems like a tax haven, […]
You don’t need to give away money or property to help the grandchildren. You can lend to the grandchildren and let them build something with the loan. Here’s one plan. Lend $50,000 to your grandchild for five years. The grandchild invests the money and earns 10% annually. At the end of five years, the grandchild […]
There is a plan that might boost your current after-tax investment income and increase the estate left to your heirs. Especially if you own bonds to generate income, including tax-free bonds, consider this strategy as part of both your investment planning and estate planning. A problem with bonds, even tax-free bonds, is that estate taxes […]
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