There are a bunch – almost too many to count – of important details that a valued financial adviser can obsess over, so clients do not have to. One of those details is the 2022 SECURE Act 2.0 which continues to unfold, in two short months starting on January 1, 2025.
A number of the changes affect rules around two items:
Changes to both will also have present and future tax consequences.
At this time of year, it makes a ton of sense to focus on how best to maximize 401k accounts and which year-end tax considerations can be meaningful for tax year 2024. There is still plenty of time remaining in 2024 to make a difference.
Remember that Roth *401k* plans have slightly different income requirements than Roth IRA accounts:
Advice for higher earners who no longer qualify for Roth IRA accounts: make sure to utilize the Roth 401k to some extent, if your company offers a 401k plan with the Roth option. Also remember that Roth 401k contributions are made after-tax, whereas regular or traditional 401k contributions are made pre-tax.
Part 2 of “under the radar” tax law changes. These changes lead to a needed discussion of current, related tax topics applying to ALL ages of savers with 401k accounts – and possibly IRA accounts too. There is still a decent amount of time remaining in 2023 to make a difference in 401k saving.
Remember that Roth 401k plans have slightly different income requirements than Roth IRA accounts:
Clearly another topic with multiple sequels, aging has its positives and not-so-positives. Recently a slight positive – from the IRS.
Its Life Expectancy Tables, otherwise known as the “IRS Uniform Life Tables I, II and III”, have adjusted the American life expectancy UP by approximately two more years. That means that RMD amounts, or required minimum distributions, from IRA, 401k and other retirement accounts will be slightly lower when calculated. These RMDs count as taxable income so even a small break will be welcome!
Tax planning is important stuff. Perhaps not as exciting as the markets but saving money on taxes can still be exciting! Mid-November begins the countdown to year-end. The following is a handy Tax Planning Checklist.* Some of these items, if done now, could make a big difference to the 2021 tax year AND add to savings.
1. How close are you to maxing out your 401k? The max is $19,500 for those under age 50 and an extra $6,500 for those age 50 and above. The deadline is December 31st and lots of 401k and 403b plans allow contributions of as much as 25-30% or even 100% of pay. Contribution rates can be lowered again in the new year.
It is only fair that if there was an edition two weeks ago titled “Biggest Losers” there be an accompanying edition, “Biggest Winners.” Because there are A LOT of winners out there. But the financial and news media do not sell advertising talking about winners.
Here are the most obvious Winners, especially financially speaking:
Now that the calendar has turned from April to May there will be in effect a “Tax Time Groundhog Day” on July 15th, which is the new 2019 Federal (and most States*) filing deadline for 2019 taxes.
A number of people reading this note may already have signed and filed their 2019 tax returns^ in order to turn the page and move on to 2020 spending, budgeting and saving. However, if you are in the camp that is stretching out your 2019 filing until the July 15th date, then consider a few last-minute items:
