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Planning for the year-end
The end of the year is quickly approaching and your to-do list is
probably growing. Along with holiday preparations, add tax planning
to your year-end list, including charitable giving arrangements and
planning for an IRA rollover if suitable for your personal situation.
Although tax time isn’t until April 2015, there are a number of smart
steps you can take now to get ready.(1) Doing so, with the help of a
tax advisor and financial advisor, will help you position yourself to
meet your financial goals in the new year and beyond.
Here are a few year-end planning tips to think about:
TALLY UP. Determine whether short- or long-term gains and losses
need to be addressed to help minimize your taxes. You and your
advisor may be able to use tax-loss harvesting to offset realized
gains. Remember, December 31 is the last trading day of the year.
REBALANCE. You may need to rebalance your asset allocation in light
of recent market movements, life changes, updated goals or even
just to keep in line with your original objectives.(2)
MAX OUT. Consider whether you are maxing out your contributions
and catch-up contributions, if eligible, to retirement accounts as well
as any educational savings contributions.
TO CONVERT OR NOT TO CONVERT. Talk to your advisor about
whether a Roth IRA conversion makes sense.(3)
TAX CHANGES. The American Taxpayer Relief Act changed the
tax landscape for just about everyone. Changes impacted income
tax brackets, capital gains and dividend taxes, Medicare taxes,
limitations on itemized deductions, the alternative minimum tax,
and estate and gift tax exemptions. Talk to your tax advisor about
what affects you.
A GIVING PLAN. Consider whether your charitable contributions
of cash, securities or other tangibles are capitalizing on current tax
laws, if you itemize deductions. If you don’t have a charitable plan
and would like to, work with a financial advisor to determine the
best plan for you, such as a donor advised fund.
MIND YOUR BUSINESS. If you are a business owner, take time to
determine whether you are eligible to make additional contributions
to your retirement plan and how to best control income and
deductions for 2014 tax purposes.
EXPIRING TAX PROVISIONS. A number of individual and business
tax provisions - like the deduction of sales tax on major purchases expired at the end of 2013. If appropriate for your personal situation,
take advantage of the benefits for the 2014 tax year.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE. Use this time to take another look at your
estate planning objectives, and think about whether you should
gift assets to reduce future estate taxes. Don’t forget to review any
trusts, wills, retirement accounts and insurance policies, among
other important documents, to make sure they are up to date and
reflect any changes to beneficiaries.
ORGANIZE DOCUMENTS. Although your tax documents won’t begin
arriving until after the end of the year, get organized with folders
to store your tax documents and make it easier for tax preparation
time.
Year-end tax planning can be a complex process, particularly in
today’s environment. Don’t fret. Act now and take it one step at
a time. And while this isn’t a comprehensive list, these year-end
planning ideas are intended to help you launch the process and
begin discussions with your financial advisor.
1Raymond James does not offer tax advice.
2The process of rebalancing may result in tax consequences.
3Rolling from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA may involve additional taxation.
Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 591/2 or older and
have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted.
Additionally, each converted amount is subject to its own five-year holding
period. Please consult your tax advisor for questions regarding your tax
situation.
Kathy Greeneway is a Certified Financial Planner(r) with Raymond James
Financial Services, Inc. located at First Dakota National Bank, 225 Cedar St., Yankton, SD. Securities
are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., (Member FINRA/SIPC), and are not
insured by the FDIC, any other government agency or any other bank insurance, are not deposits
or obligations of the bank, not guaranteed by First Dakota National Bank, and are subject to risks,
including the possible loss of principal. First Dakota National Bank and First Dakota Brokerage
Services are independent of Raymond James Financial Services.
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22vHERVOICE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015