12 QCD RULES YOU MUST KNOW
If you are charitably inclined and have an IRA, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be a great strategy. With a QCD, you can move IRA funds to the charity of your choice tax-free. Here are 12 QCD rules you must know. 1. QCDs are only available to IRA owners or beneficiaries who are age […]
EXCESS CONTRIBUTION FIX: SAME IRA, DIFFERENT DOLLARS
If I pour too much water into a glass, removing liquid from a different glass does not correct the problem. The excess water must be removed from the “offending” receptacle. Such is the case with excess IRA contributions. If too much money is deposited into a particular IRA, those excess funds must be removed from […]
IRS GIVES GUIDANCE ON PENALTY-FREE WITHDRAWALS FOR FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES AND FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
If you take a taxable withdrawal from your IRA or 401(k) (or other company plan) before age 59 ½, you normally have to pay a 10% penalty in addition to taxes. But Congress continues to carve out exceptions to this penalty, and there are now 20 available. In Notice 2044-55, the IRS recently gave us guidance […]
ROLLING OVER YOUR IN-PLAN CONVERSION? WATCH OUT FOR THE RECAPTURE RULE
More and more Americans have retirement savings in Roth 401(k)s. With their rising popularity come some complicated tax issues. These funds are often rolled over to Roth IRAs at retirement or when a participant changes job. While the rollover process to the Roth IRA is fairly straightforward, the rules for determining the taxation of these […]
ROTH IRA DISTRIBUTIONS AND SELF-DIRECTED IRAS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
Question: I have a question about the Roth IRA distribution ordering rules based on a client’s situation: 1. The client is 45 years old. 2. She has had a Roth IRA open for five plus years. 3. She made a $6,000 contribution to a Roth IRA when she originally opened it. 4. We transferred a […]
BEER PONG & IRA CUSTODIAL RULES
You know the game “beer pong?” Arrange 6 or 10 cups in a triangle, fill each one with a couple of ounces whatever beverage you are enjoying, and your opponent tries to toss a ping-pong ball into one of the cups. If a throw is successful, the contents of that cup are consumed, and it […]
SIMPLE IRA RMDS AND IRS LIFE EXPECTANCY TABLES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
Question: Does a SIMPLE IRA owner who is over age 73 and still works for the same company that sponsors the SIMPLE IRA plan have to take an RMD (required minimum distribution)? He does not own any of the company. Answer: Yes. SIMPLE and SEP IRA owners cannot use the “still-working exception” to delay RMDs […]
DON’T OVERLOOK YOUR BENEFICIARY FORM
You have been contributing to your IRA for years. The market is up, and you are watching those investments grow. Maybe you have rolled over funds to your IRA from your company plan. You may now have a significant balance. So far, you have taken smart steps toward a secure future. Don’t stop your careful […]
PARTICIPATION IN MULTIPLE WORK PLANS – IT CAN BE DONE!
It is perfectly acceptable for a person to participate in multiple work plans in the same year (even at the same time). For example, a 401(k) and a SEP. Or maybe a 401(k) and another 401(k). However, care must be taken to follow IRS contribution limits and other guidelines. Unfortunately, people try to circumvent these […]
IRA ROLLOVERS AND REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
QUESTION: At age 80, after I take my required minimum distribution (RMD), can I then do a rollover from my IRA to my Roth IRA? If I can, is there a limit as to how much? I know that it is all taxable. Thanks, John ANSWER: John, Once your RMD has been satisfied, yes, you […]