Here’s how to pay for taxes on your Roth IRA conversion, advisors say
Srdjanpav | E+ | Getty Images More from FA Playbook: Here’s a look at other stories impacting the financial advisor business. When a Roth conversion is completed, you’ll owe regular income taxes on the converted balance, based on your current-year taxable income. Ideally, you’re “managing the tax bracket,” said CFP Jim Guarino, managing director at […]
Here’s how to maximize your tax breaks for charitable giving
Mixetto | E+ | Getty Images As year-end approaches, you may be eyeing a donation to charity — and certain gifting strategies can boost your tax break, experts say. In 2023, U.S. charitable giving hit $557.16 billion, up roughly 2% compared to 2022, according to Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s annual report released […]
How to leverage the 0% capital gains bracket as bitcoin surges
Hispanolistic | E+ | Getty Images Crypto investors could face higher taxes amid the surging price of bitcoin. But if you’re in the 0% capital gains bracket, you can reduce future taxes with a lesser-known strategy, experts say. The tactic, known as tax-gain harvesting, is selling profitable crypto in a lower-income year. You can leverage the […]
The stakes on tax policy are high as the election nears. Here’s how to prepare
Investors have a close eye on the Nov. 5 presidential election, but Congressional contests deserve attention — as they could shape tax policy and the next steps investors take to prepare. “Whatever happens with the election next week, it’s still going to take time for some significant tax law to come through,” said Stephen Bigge, […]
How to leverage higher income limits for the 0% capital gains bracket
dowell | Moment | Getty Images The earnings limit for the 0% capital gains bracket will rise in 2025, which could offer tax planning opportunities, financial experts say. At sale, profitable assets owned for more than one year qualify for lower taxes — known as long-term capital gains. Those rates are 0%, 15% or 20%, […]
Here’s how to know if active ETFs are right for your portfolio
Izusek | E+ | Getty Images Exchange-traded funds are generally known for passive strategies. But there has been a surge in actively managed ETFs as investors seek lower costs and more precision, experts say. Active ETFs represented just more than 2% of the U.S. ETF market at the beginning of 2019. But these funds have […]
Here’s how to reduce a ‘tax bomb’ on an inherited IRA
Greg Hinsdale | The Image Bank | Getty Images If you’ve inherited a pretax individual retirement account since 2020, you could face a sizable tax bill without proper planning, experts say. Previously, heirs could take inherited IRA withdrawals over their lifetime, known as the “stretch IRA.” However, the Secure Act of 2019 enacted the “10-year […]
How to use required minimum distributions to improve your portfolio
Richard Drury | Digitalvision | Getty Images After funneling money into pretax retirement accounts, you will eventually face mandatory withdrawals in retirement known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs. Since RMDs can trigger higher taxes, the withdrawals can be a nuisance for some retirees who do not need the money. But the yearly activity could […]
How to calculate capital gains taxes when selling your home
Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images As home values climb, more Americans owe capital gains taxes when selling property. But knowing how to calculate your home’s profit could reduce your bill, experts say. Most Americans do not owe taxes for selling a primary residence because of a special tax break — known as the Section […]
How to reduce capital gains taxes on your home sale
The Good Brigade | Digitalvision | Getty Images More Americans are paying capital gains taxes on home sale profits amid soaring property values — but there are ways to reduce your bill, experts say. In 2023, nearly 8% of U.S. home sales yielded profits exceeding $500,000, compared with about 3% in 2019, according to an […]