Taxes
How do higher interest rates affect personal finances?
How do higher interest rates affect personal finances? The most obvious effects of higher interest rates are that savers earn more interest income and borrowers pay more interest due to higher rates on loans, such as mortgages. But how else can higher interest rates affect personal finances? Our team came up with a few notable…
Read MoreWhat do high valuation differences in the market mean for your portfolio?
What do high valuation differences in the market mean for your portfolio? One way to characterize stocks is by the ratio of its price to earnings. The stock of companies that have high expected growth rates naturally sell for higher prices. These stocks are often referred to as “growth stocks.” However, an investor’s return is…
Read MoreWhen are Roth IRA distributions taxable?
When are Roth IRA distributions taxable? From Ken in Satellite Beach: I thought once you turned 59 ½ Roth IRAs are tax free but a 63 year old co-worker insists he had to pay some tax last year when he withdrew from his Roth IRA. What gives? Ken, it is possible to owe taxes on…
Read MoreWhat you need to know about tax extensions and new tax rules
What you need to know about tax extensions and new tax rules Many taxpayers will not file their 2022 tax returns by the April 18, 2023 deadline. Done properly, such taxpayers can receive a six-month extension of time to file and avoid any interest charges or penalties from the IRS. What does “done properly” mean,…
Read MoreHow inflation may reduce your tax bill for 2023
How inflation may reduce your tax bill for 2023 Thanks to inflation, reducing your tax bill in 2023 may be easier than you think. All things being equal, lower inflation readings are preferred but there are aspects of higher inflation readings that work in your favor. And inflation-induced tax savings can help offset inflation’s higher…
Read MoreHow do I make charitable donations from my 401(k)?
How do I make charitable donations from my 401(k)? Direct donations from a 401(k) to charity on a tax favored basis are not possible. However, direct donations to charities from IRAs, called Qualified Charitable Distributions, are permitted. There are a few requirements to make those donations completely tax-free, chief among them is you must be…
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