Tax code changes in 2017, how will they impact you?

Dear Mr. Market:

tax1You’ve posted some very impressive performance since Donald Trump’s victory in the recent presidential election. While the debate will continue in regards to what changes will take place with the new regime in Washington D.C., individuals are contemplating how they will be impacted. What can you expect and how might you be able to make some strategic moves to take advantage of these changes? Let’s specifically look at what Trump and his team are proposing to change with the current tax laws and how it will impact your finances both today and in the foreseeable future.

With Trump in the White House and Republicans taking control over both the House and Senate, tax cuts are virtually a sure thing. Our current tax codes have individuals paying rates on a graduated level with seven brackets ranging from 10% to 39.6%. What many don’t realize is that with ‘Obamacare’ the top tax bracket pays an additional 3.8% on net investment income which brings their rate to 43.4%. Here are some key points to keep in mind as we move into 2017 and the potential changes: Continue reading

The silver lining behind a down market – converting to a Roth IRA

RothiraDear Mr. Market:

The wild ride continues! As we have addressed before, the nasty trifecta of oil, China and the Fed continue to hammer the markets. Moments like these can make or break portfolios and dramatically impact your future goals. Most investors have an IRA that they either have been funding or perhaps a rollover IRA from a previous 401(k) that sits on the sidelines and they periodically, if ever, look at. Volatile markets like this present an opportunity with these IRAs that could prove to be very advantageous!

It’s almost like a half-off sale. If your IRA has dropped significantly in value, not only will the cost (of converting to a Roth IRA) be minimal, all the upside will be tax-free. Now is the time to strike!”Ed Slott, The IRA Advisor

*** Before we dive into the specifics of converting an IRA it is important to note that we encourage you to consult your CPA or Tax Advisor to discuss in detail.  We are not tax advisors and (unless you are a client) we do not know your specific financial or tax situation.***

The decision about converting an IRA to a Roth IRA comes down to three key factors: taxes, cost and time. Continue reading