IRS Gifting Rules: Tuition vs. Student Loan Payments
Helping a family member pay for education? Make sure you're on the right side of the IRS.
Whether you're covering K–12 tuition, writing checks for college, or assisting with student loans after graduation, the tax treatment of those payments isn’t always intuitive. The IRS draws a clear line between direct tuition payments and student loan contributions—and crossing that line could mean triggering gift tax rules you didn’t anticipate.
Company Stock In Your 401(k)? Don’t Forget To Elect NUA
If you’re retiring or leaving your job and have company stock in your 401(k), understanding NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation) could save you thousands in taxes. Many miss this valuable opportunity by rolling everything into an IRA without considering the tax implications. Our latest article breaks down how NUA works, common tax mistakes, and when choosing NUA makes sense. Learn how factors like your age, retirement timeline, and stock performance play a role. Don’t overlook this strategy if your company stock has grown significantly in value—it could make a big difference in your retirement savings.
The Hidden Tax Traps in Retirement Most People Miss
Many retirees are caught off guard by unexpected tax hits from required minimum distributions (RMDs), Social Security, and even Medicare premiums. In this article, we break down the most common retirement tax traps — and how smart planning can help you avoid them.
Trump Has The Stock Market and Fed Cornered
The stock market selloff continues amid the escalation of the trade wars between the US and 180 other countries. It’s left investors asking the questions:
Where is the bottom?
Are we headed for a recession?
Unfortunately, the answers are largely rooted in the decisions that President Trump makes in the coming days and weeks. There have been talks about the Fed decreasing rate, tax reform getting passed sooner, negotiations beginning with 50 of the 180 countries that we placed tariff on, but in this article we are going to explain why all of these solutions may be too little too late when it comes to the overall negative impact that tariff are currently having on the US economy.
Trump’s Reciprocal Tariff: Renegotiating with the World
Yesterday, April 2, 2025, President Trump announced new tariffs, referred to as “reciprocal tariffs,” against more than 180 countries simultaneously. Both the magnitude of the tariffs and the number of countries against which they will be levied far exceeded market expectations. This raises new concerns for investors regarding how these new tariff policies will impact the US economy, both in the short term and long term.
While policy can be debated regarding whether or not the new tariffs will bring positive long-term change to the US economy, we believe that additional risk may lie in the method by which the new policy is being implemented. As we have seen in business many times, the right strategy, executed the wrong way, can lead to unexpected negative outcomes.
The March Selloff – Trouble on the Surface
March was a tough month for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index dropping by over 5% for the month. With the new “Liberation Day” tariffs going into effect on April 2nd, many investors are asking if the new tariffs and the recent stock market correction warrant a change in investment strategy. Will the selloff continue, or are we in store for a market rally in April?
In this article, we will share our market analysis, highlight key economic data points to watch as the new tariffs are rolled out, and answer the question: Do recent events warrant a change in investment strategy?
Turning on Social Security Early? Keep Your Final Paystub to Avoid Penalties
Deciding to take Social Security benefits early can be a practical choice for many retirees, but it comes with potential challenges. One major consideration is the earned income penalty, which could reduce your benefits if you’re still earning income over a certain threshold. But there is a flaw in the Social Security system that sometimes incorrectly assesses the earned income penalty. When someone retires, oftentimes their income for the year is already above the $23,400 earned income threshold but very few retirees realize that if their social security benefit is not turned on until after they receive their final paycheck, the earned income penalty will not apply even though social security may attempt to assess the penalty anyways.
The good news? With proper planning and documentation, such as holding onto your final paystub, you can avoid unnecessary penalties and protect your benefits.
How To Protect A Roth IRA from the Medicaid Spenddown Process
Safeguarding a Roth IRA from the Medicaid spenddown process has long been a challenge for individuals preparing for long-term care. Unlike other assets, Roth IRAs cannot be owned by trusts, and their lack of required minimum distributions (RMDs) has historically left them vulnerable under Medicaid rules. However, a groundbreaking strategy recently developed in New York provides new hope for preserving the full value of these important retirement accounts. By voluntarily initiating RMDs on Roth IRAs, individuals can now protect these accounts from being depleted entirely during Medicaid qualification.
Topics Covered in This Article:
Challenges of Protecting Roth IRAs
The Role of Irrevocable Trusts
Understanding the Medicaid Spenddown Process
Voluntary RMDs for Roth IRAs
New York’s Innovative Strategy
