Rolling over an IRA is a financial maneuver fraught with peril. One wrong step and you could be on the hook for a massive tax bill. Miss the 60-day deadline, and you could face a complicated appeals process that could easily cost $20,000 — that is, until now. On Aug. 24 the IRS changed its appeals process for… Continue Reading
Author Archives: John
2017 Estate Tax Exclusion Amount Increasing
The IRS has announced that the basic federal estate tax exclusion amount for the estates of decedents dying during calendar year 2017 will be $5.49 million, up from $5.45 million for calendar year 2016. Also, if the executor chooses to use the special use valuation method for qualified real property, the aggregate decrease in the value of… Continue Reading
Make withdrawals from your retirement plans without penalty
You can make withdrawals from your 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plans without penalty before reaching at 59½. You will not face the 10% early distribution penalty if you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55, although you will still owe tax on pretax contributions and associated investment gains. For the exemption… Continue Reading
Health Care Costs May Gobble Up Social Security Benefits
The average woman could spend an estimated 70 percent of her retirement check on health care costs, according to a recent study by the Nationwide Retirement Institute. The average man fares better, but still uses nearly half of his benefits to cover medical expenses. Here’s how the Nationwide analysis reached its disturbing estimates: It assumed… Continue Reading
Signs Someone Might Be Suffering A Dementia-Related Illness
How do you recognize when someone might be operating at a limited mental capacity or has the onset of a dementia-related illness? It can be difficult to acknowledge that a parent is getting older, having remembered them spry and active. Little things can easily be overlooked as mom or dad just having an “off day.” … Continue Reading