Tax / Estate & Wealth Planning
Showing 1665–1680 of 2177 results
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Tax deal resolves fiscal cliffhanger
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 918
On Jan. 1, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). This article offers highlights of the law’s individual tax provisions. It looks at changes in income, capital gains, estate and gift tax rates, deductions and exemptions. It also discusses the alternative minimum tax and the extension of a number of tax breaks for individuals. A sidebar lists several business tax break extensions, as well.
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Search for a job, find a tax deduction
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 362
Abstract: Those who have been pounding the pavement searching for a job know that the associated costs can quickly add up. But it may be possible for them to deduct those expenses on their tax return. This brief article explains the qualifications for particular deductions and what types and amounts of expenses are deductible.
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First baby on board? — Now’s the time to safeguard your child’s financial future
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 945
Abstract: The arrival of a first child is a joyful experience — but also sobering, as one considers what steps to take to protect the child’s financial future. This article notes the importance of establishing a will and naming beneficiaries; supplementing insurance policies; and planning for college expenses. A sidebar looks at tax breaks that are available for those raising a child.
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Intrafamily loans: Low interest rates enhance this wealth transfer strategy
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 722
Abstract: Those who have spent a lifetime to build their wealth and are now in a position to financially help their children or other family members may wonder: Should they provide this money in the form of gifts or should they lend it? This article explains why an intrafamily loan is an attractive, tax-smart strategy in light of today’s low-interest-rate environment — but that there are risks, as well.
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4 simple questions can help you choose the right funds
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 856
Abstract: Whether investors personally select mutual funds or rely on an advisor to do it, it’s important that they understand what they own, why they own it and whether the fund is a good match for their investment goals. To help investors avoid picking a mutual fund clunker, this article offers four questions they should ask themselves about investment goals, active vs. passive investing, a fund’s long-term performance and its expense ratio.
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Estate Planning Red Flag — You’re married and relocating into or out of a community property state
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 446
Abstract: In community property states, money earned and property acquired by either spouse during marriage generally belongs to the "community" — meaning each spouse has an undivided one-half interest (regardless of how property is titled). When one spouse dies, his or her share of community property goes to the surviving spouse unless a will provides otherwise. But couples who relocate to or from a community property state may find that the new state’s laws affect their property rights in unexpected ways. This article explains the importance of modifying a will or using trusts or other tools to ensure that an estate plan continues to operate as desired.
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Planning your digital legacy
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 689
Abstract: In an increasingly digital world, people often overlook digital assets when developing an estate plan, and the consequences can be disastrous. With no paper trail, a decedent’s family members may be unaware that certain assets exist, or may need a court order to have someone hack into a password-protected computer. Or, if a small-business owner dies and his or her family lacks access to important information, the business may suffer. This article discusses strategies for ensuring that family or personal representatives have access to important records when the time comes.
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Are your children prepared to handle your wealth?
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 837
Abstract: Parents who have built up a large estate and are eager to share their wealth with their children may be concerned about the kids’ ability to handle it. Fortunately, there are ways to help ensure children won’t blow through their inheritance at a young age. This article discusses creating incentive trusts, educating children on money management, being smart with distributions to them, and communicating with them about the reasons behind the decisions taken.
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Tax deal reshapes estate planning landscape
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 956
Abstract: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), signed on Jan. 2, not only averted the United States’ descent over the "fiscal cliff," but includes some welcome relief from both the large estate tax increases that had been scheduled to go into effect in 2013 and the uncertainty that has plagued the federal estate tax regime in recent years. This article examines the act’s effect on estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax rates and exemptions; exemption portability; and other estate planning provisions. A sidebar notes that the act makes it easier to convert a traditional retirement plan account into a Roth account.
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Retirement contribution and other limitations for 2013
January 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 384
Abstract: The IRS has announced cost-of-living adjustments affecting the dollar limitations for retirement plans, deductions and other items. Several of the limitations are higher for 2013 because the increase in the cost-of-living index met the statutory threshold. However, some limitations did not meet that threshold and remain unchanged from 2012. This article describes some of the details.
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Business deduction for Medicare insurance premiums
January 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 86
Abstract: This brief article notes who can deduct premiums paid for qualified health insurance in computing their adjusted gross income (AGI) and whether certain Medicare premiums count for this rule.
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Filing status implications
January 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 428
Abstract: For married taxpayers, the implications of filing a joint or separate return extend beyond tax rates and the standard deduction. Like many aspects of income taxation, there is usually more than one approach to finding the optimal solution. This article lists some of the more common implications of filing either a joint or separate return.
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Tax calendar
January 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 307
Abstract: This article lists deadlines for filing certain tax documents, along with descriptions of the necessary procedures.
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Deducting home mortgage interest
January 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 589
Abstract: The political debate on federal tax reform touches many topics, including the tax deduction for interest on home mortgage loans. This article reviews federal law on deducting residential mortgage loan interest. It discusses interest paid on qualified residence debt and what constitutes a “qualified residence.” It also offers a planning tip for taxpayers with more than two homes.
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Filing options for your final Form 1040
December 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 627
Abstract: A major decision for married individuals concerns whether to file a joint return for the year of death. The answer may depend on whether or not the surviving spouse remarries during the year. This article describes some of the advantages and disadvantages for joint filers to consider when filing that final return.
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Save taxes using a partial annuity exchange
December 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 408
Abstract: Initially, nonannuity payments (distributions received before the annuity starting date) generally consist entirely of taxable income until all of the annuity contract’s earnings have been distributed. Subsequent payments are considered to be a nontaxable return of basis. Because of this issue, when an annuity owner must take a nonannuity distribution, the tax impact can be onerous. But, as this article explains, Internal Revenue Code Section 1035 can, in some cases, provide a federal tax-free mechanism to exchange one annuity contract for another annuity contract.