Tax / Estate & Wealth Planning
Showing 1793–1808 of 2177 results
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Is market volatility keeping you up at night?
March / April 2012
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 750
Abstract: The stock market volatility during the past year has left even seasoned investors feeling queasy. But there are strategies to better shield an investment portfolio from it. This article explains how to interpret the Volatility Index (VIX) and lists four steps to help fortify an investment portfolio against volatility. A sidebar lists three facts about the VIX and volatility.
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Selecting a C corporation’s tax year
February 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 513
Abstract: Businesses that operate as C corporations have substantial flexibility when selecting a tax year. However, businesses that operate as partnerships or S corporations are restricted by law in their choice of a tax year. Once selected, a tax year generally must be maintained until the business is required or elects (with IRS permission, if necessary) to change it. This article discusses the two types of tax years and the considerations involved in choosing one.
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Taxable or nontaxable income?
February 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 476
Abstract: Most of the income people receive is taxable, but certain types of income are only partially taxed or not taxed at all. This article lists some of the more common types of income that individuals receive and an indication of how they are treated for federal income tax purposes.
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The Unearned Income Medicare Contribution
February 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 124
Abstract: This article briefly discusses the Unearned Income Medicare Contribution (UIMC) surtax on net investment income, to take effect in 2013.
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Capital gains and losses
February 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 289
Abstract: Technically, almost everything owned and used for personal, pleasure or investment purposes is a capital asset. Capital assets include, but are not limited to, homes, household furnishings, stocks, bonds and mutual funds. When a capital asset is sold, the difference between the amount paid (one’s basis) and the amount it’s sold for is generally a capital gain or loss. This article offers some important facts about capital gains and losses.
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Head of household filing status
February 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 298
Abstract: Failure to use head of household (HOH) filing status is a common tax filing mistake. HOH status is preferable to single or married filing separately status because the tax rate brackets are more favorable (except for the 35% single bracket) and the standard deduction is larger. This article lists the requirements for HOH status.
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Estate Planning Pitfall — You own a high-cash-value insurance policy on your own life
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 367
Abstract: A person who owns a life insurance policy that has built up a sizable cash value should realize that the death benefit will be included in their taxable estate. Depending on the size of the policy and the applicable estate tax exemption when the owner dies, the tax bill could be substantial. One option to avoid this is to transfer the policy to an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT). This article discusses what’s involved.
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Privacy, please! — Keep family matters out of the public eye by avoiding probate
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 766
Abstract: Although probate can be time consuming and expensive, perhaps its biggest downside is that it’s public — anyone who’s interested can find out the details of an estate and its distribution. It can also draw unwanted attention from disgruntled family members who may challenge the disposition of assets, as well as from other unscrupulous parties. The good news is that, by implementing the right estate planning strategies, it’s possible to keep much or even all of an estate out of probate. This article shows how, while a sidebar notes that a living trust can be an effective tool for larger estates to avoid probate.
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Consider a “stretch” to maximize and preserve IRA benefits
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 882
Abstract: One of the great benefits of an IRA is that contributions can grow and compound on a tax-deferred basis for years. Distributions are taxable, but there’s no requirement to withdraw any funds until April 1 following the year in which the holder turns age 70½. By structuring the IRA as a “stretch IRA,” you can allow it to last as long as possible. This article shows how a stretch IRA works and the tax benefits it offers for a beneficiary. Or, one can designate a trust as beneficiary.
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Does your trust need a protector?
February / March 2012
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 903
Abstract: Typically, to achieve the greatest tax savings, trusts must be irrevocable. But it can be disconcerting to relinquish control over assets placed in a trust, particularly if one expects that Congress will continue to modify the tax laws. One potential solution is to appoint a “trust protector” to oversee the trustee’s activities and to provide flexibility to adapt the trust to changing laws and circumstances. This article explains the protector’s role and the benefits of having one, along with cautions that should be observed. A sidebar lists specific powers of a trust protector.
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Receiving Social Security benefits before full retirement age
January 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 562
Abstract: A fully insured individual can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, the full benefit will be permanently reduced for each month before the individual reaches his or her full benefit retirement age. This article offers two hypothetical examples of how this works: one discussing the difference in benefits between the two dates, and the other showing how a retired spouse’s benefits increase when his or her mate retires.
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Operating a business as an LLC
January 2012
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 446
Abstract: Entrepreneurs have many questions and concerns when starting a business, not the least of which is related to minimizing their legal liability. In many cases, operating a business as a limited liability company, more commonly known as an LLC, may be the best way to limit the liability for both the business and owner(s) and provide tax benefits as well. This article explains how.
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Estate Planning Red Flag — You and your spouse have similar trusts
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 404
Abstract: If a couple have similar irrevocable trusts for each other’s benefit, they could be subject to the “reciprocal trust” doctrine. It prohibits tax avoidance through trusts that 1) are interrelated, and 2) place both grantors in the same economic position as if they’d each created trusts naming themselves as life beneficiaries. This article explains that reciprocal trusts can be undone by the IRS; to avoid this, it’s important to vary factors related to each trust, such as the trust assets or terms, trustees, beneficiaries, or creation dates.
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Prenups and estate plans: Make sure they work together
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 650
Abstract: If a prospective couple plan to sign a prenuptial agreement, it’s a good idea to design the agreement with their estate plan in mind. A well-planned prenup can provide several estate planning benefits; a poorly planned one can trigger unintended tax consequences or hinder achievement of estate planning goals. As this article discusses, benefits include protection from liability for one spouse’s separate debts and implementation of estate planning strategies. But there are traps, as well, involving premarital transfers, the estate tax exemption, and the disposition of the family home.
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Making a difficult decision — When is it appropriate to have your elderly parent declared incapacitated?
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 627
Abstract: When an elderly parent gradually loses control of their faculties, it can be difficult for children to determine whether having their parent declared incapacitated is the right thing to do. This article explains the legal criteria for incapacitation, and shows what’s involved when that decision is made. It discusses the role of a court-appointed guardian/conservator, along with other possible options.
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A fresh look at charitable remainder trusts
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1068
Abstract: Those who are charitably inclined but concerned about having sufficient income to meet their needs may find that a charitable remainder trust (CRT) is the answer. A CRT allows donors to support a favorite charity while potentially boosting their cash flow, shrinking the size of their taxable estate, and reducing or deferring income taxes. This article explains the basics of a CRT and the investment advantages. A sidebar shows how a CRT provides the ability to control the income flow to suit the donor’s needs, which can be helpful in retirement planning.