The tax season is officially here. If you haven't already, now is the time to get prepared. Whether you meet with a tax professional or prepare your taxes yourself, proper planning helps the processes go more smoothly and may reduce the risk of costly errors. Check out the tips below and prepare to tackle this tax season with confidence.
When it comes to compensation, many companies are now providing equity and stock-based benefits to their employees. Each type of benefit has its own set of rules, and it’s essential to understand the nuances of each type. One form of equity-based compensation is restricted stock units (RSUs).
There are many hobbies that people enjoy, both before and during retirement, and collecting valuables is one of them. Some of the items that people might collect are cars, art, jewelry, antiques and fine wines. But in order to truly enjoy this hobby, it’s important that you are organized and protective over your assets. When it comes to caring for your collections, these five steps can help you to better manage and protect your valuables.
The estate planning process can feel overwhelming and forever ongoing - especially if you’re taking it on alone. As you try to address every possible question or pain point your heirs may encounter, here are a few questions of your own to consider.
There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes. One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing capital gains at 25%, up from 20% under current law. Another would raise the capital gains tax rate to 39.6% for taxpayers earning $1 million or more. Still another would make the change to capital gains tax retroactive, with a start date of April 2021.
To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to anywhere between $3.5 and $5 million, with an effective date of January 1, 2022. Another proposal would bring new rules to grantor trusts, including a change to how life insurance held in a trust would be taxed.
As an investor, you have countless decisions to make about your portfolio. Risk and return are just two factors to consider, but many more variables may impact what investment vehicles you choose. For example, you can choose what companies you want to invest in based on their values and responsibilities. Two of the most common values-based standards are Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing.
What has changed for you in 2021? For some, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s one step. Did you retire? There’s another step. If notable changes look place in your personal or professional life, then you may want to review your finances before this year ends and 2022 begins. Proving that you have all the right moves in 2021 might put you in a better position to tango with 2022.
Open enrollment (the annual period when you can enroll in major medical health insurance plans), begins November 1, 2021, and will remain open until January 15, 2022. You will need to enroll by December 15, 2021 for coverage that begins January 1, 2022. For someone looking to change or add coverage, this offers a short window of time to decide on and select your health insurance plan. Before rushing a decision to meet this deadline, take some time now to review and prepare. Below we’ve rounded up our top tips for choosing the right health insurance plan for you and your family’s needs.
Parents and grandparents of high school students have a wistful feeling about the child they’ve watched grow up, as well as a concern for what lies in their future. It’s only natural to want to help that future scholar navigate the financial hurdles to a great education. That said, you have a few hurdles of your own. It would be good to know how to financially help the child in your life while avoiding any extra tax burdens.
When it comes to saving for retirement, the power of compounding interest should never be underestimated. And as a responsible investor, it can be helpful to know how long it would take to double your investment at a fixed rate of return. The Rule of 72 can be used as a quick rule of thumb to help determine this answer.
Did you know that October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month? The importance of proper estate planning shouldn’t be understated, as it can be a lasting gift for your loved ones after your passing.
