Do beneficiaries of a trust pay taxes?
Beneficiaries of a trust typically pay taxes on distributions they receive from the trust’s income. However, they are not subject to taxes on distributions from the trust’s principal. When a trust makes a distribution, it deducts the income distributed on its own tax return and issues the beneficiary a tax form called a K-1. The […]
When You Should Establish An IRA As A Trust
A trusteed IRA offers provisions beyond a custodial plan, but is it a good strategy for clients? That answer depends on several factors, including how much control — or not — the client wants their beneficiaries to have. Under the tax code, an IRA can be established as a trust or custodial account. With a […]
Most Retirees Need to Take Required Retirement Plan Distributions (RMDs) by Dec. 31
The Internal Revenue Service wants to remind taxpayers born before July 1, 1945, that they generally must receive payments from their individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and workplace retirement plans by December 31. “The Special Rule” Known as required minimum distributions (RMDs), these payments normally must be made by the end of 2015. But a special […]
IRA Contributions for 2014 – There’s Still Time
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that they still have until April 15, 2015 to make IRA contributions for 2014, and in many cases, qualify for a deduction or even a tax credit. Roth vs. Traditional IRAs Available in one form or another since the mid-1970s, individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) are designed to enable employees and self-employed people […]
Top Four Year-End IRA Reminders
Individual Retirement Accounts are an important way to save for retirement. If you have an IRA or may open one soon, there are some key year-end rules that you should know. Here are the top four reminders on IRAs: 1. Know the limits. You can contribute up to a maximum of $5,500 ($6,500 if you are […]
Four Tips for Retirement Withdrawals
Most people spend years working closely with their financial adviser, accumulating money in their retirement accounts. When the time comes to reap the rewards of all those years of labor, the reality of how much you’ll be taxed on your withdrawals hits you. While you can’t completely avoid being taxed on accounts that were tax-deferred, […]
Tax Planning Advice for Grandparents
Grandparents Day was this past Sunday, September 7th. In honor of National Grandparents Day, we’re sharing a piece from Accounting Today with tax advice for grandparents, written by Michael Cohn, below: Fred Slater, CPA and Ellen Minkow, CPA, a pair of tax and financial advisors at MS 1040 LLC in New York City, have two […]
Supreme Court Rules Inherited IRAs are Not Protected in Bankruptcy
A unanimous Supreme Court has held that the funds in an inherited IRA do not qualify for exemption in bankruptcy because they do not share the same characteristics as “retirement funds” that traditional IRAs have. In 2000, Ruth Heffron established a traditional IRA and named her daughter, Heidi Heffron-Clark, as the sole beneficiary. When Ms. […]
Early Retirement Plan Withdrawals and Your Taxes
Taking money out early from your retirement plan may trigger an additional tax. Here are seven things from the IRS that you should know about early withdrawals from retirement plans: 1. An early withdrawal normally means taking money from your plan before you reach age 59½. 2. If you made a withdrawal from a plan last year, […]
