Financial Planning

The pandemic caused many people to work from home, and some companies do not plan to return to office-based work until this summer, if ever. While you may view this as a mixed blessing, you can capitalize on the situation to save money for your short- and long-term goals. Your savings might not stem from tax breaks, but rather from other financial benefits. You won’t be spending money on commuting, restaurant lunches, after-work happy hours, etc. Now is a great …

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Trying to predict the federal estate tax is about as easy as trying to predict the stock market. After a decade of almost yearly changes, the government has currently legislated a temporary fix that expires 2012. Given the uncertain nature of the tax, couples need to remain vigilant about estate planning. Bypass trusts can help a couple maximize use of the federal estate tax exemption and ultimately bequeath more of their wealth to successive generations. For bypass trusts to achieve …

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You may be able to use losses within your investment portfolio to help offset realized gains. If your losses exceed your gains, you can offset up to $3,000 per year of the difference against ordinary income. After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and potential state and local taxes, your investments’ returns in any given year may be reduced by 40% or more. Here are five ways to potentially lower your tax bill.1 Invest …

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