Tax planning or tax efficiency is the process of arranging your financial affairs in order to minimize the amount of taxes you pay. It involves understanding the tax system, taking advantage of deductions and credits available, and structuring investments and other transactions in a way that will reduce taxable income.
Tax planning can help you realize greater savings over time, freeing up more of your money for other purposes. It also involves understanding the impact that taxes have on business operations and investments so that you can make decisions based on their financial implications.
Tax planning should be done in conjunction with a qualified tax adviser who is familiar with your particular situation and objectives and can help you identify strategies to reduce your tax burden.
Your tax adviser can provide advice on how to structure investments, deductions, credits, and other transactions in a way that is most beneficial for you. They can also help you stay ahead of changing tax laws and ensure that your financial decisions are compliant with applicable rules.
If you’re in need of a knowledgeable financial planner, contact us today at Next Gen Financial Planning to get started!
The Importance of Asset Location
By making the most of asset location, you can reduce your total tax bill. Asset location refers to where you put specific investments and assets that generate income or capital gains. For example, if you own stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts such as IRAs or 401(k)s, you may want to move income-generating investments into the tax-advantaged accounts in order to reduce your total tax liability.
Tax Planning Strategies
Your financial advisor can help you develop personalized tax planning strategies that are tailored to your specific situation and goals. Many of these strategies focus on finding ways to legally minimize taxable income, such as taking advantage of deductions or credits for which you are eligible, or deferring taxes by making strategic investments in retirement accounts. A good financial advisor will be able to explain how each strategy fits into your overall financial plan, so you can make informed decisions about your finances.
Tax-favored-accounts
Financial advisors can also help you create or manage tax-favored accounts such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and health savings accounts (HSAs). They can explain the different account types and how contributions to them could affect your taxes. Additionally, financial advisors can provide guidance on selecting investments that may be appropriate for these accounts.
Tax Compliance
Financial advisors can also assist with ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations related to taxation. They can help you understand the filing requirements for different deductions, credits, and other tax strategies that may benefit you. Additionally, a financial advisor can point out any potential audit triggers or red flags in your returns to make sure you are filing accurately and completely.
Tax deductions/credits
Financial advisors can also help you identify tax deductions or credits that could reduce your taxable income, such as the earned income credit, mortgage interest deduction, or student loan interest deduction. They can provide advice on how to take advantage of these deductions and how they may affect your overall tax burden.
In summary, a financial advisor is an invaluable resource when it comes to understanding taxes. They can help you understand the different types of tax accounts, and how contributions to them may affect your taxes, as well as provide guidance on selecting investments and identifying deductions or credits that could reduce your taxable income. With our assistance, you can make informed decisions when it comes to taxes, ensuring that you pay only what is required and maximize any savings opportunities available.
Reach out to the skilled financial advisors at Next Gen Financial Planning today using our convenient contact form!
Timing Is Everything
It is important to pay attention to when you realize your capital gains or losses. When determining the amount of taxable income from these investments, any realized gains are considered income for the tax year in which they occur.
Depending on whether you have held the asset than a year, it may be taxed at either your ordinary-income rate or at a lower long-term capital gains rate. In addition, any recognized losses can be used as deductions against other income sources and can result in reduced taxes paid overall.
Tax-loss harvesting
Tax loss harvesting is a strategy that investors can use to minimize the amount of taxes paid on capital gains. By strategically selling investments with losses towards the end of the year, an investor can offset any gains realized during the same time period. This does not mean you should sell losing investments for the sole purpose of tax savings; however, it is important to understand how these techniques work and when they may be most beneficial.
To ensure your investments are working as hard as possible, speak to one of our financial advisors today if you are considering tax-loss harvesting. Our advisors can provide insight into your individual situation and help you make the most tax-efficient decisions for your portfolio. Also, we can review your investments to ensure that you are taking advantage of all potential deductions and credits available to minimize the taxes you have to pay overall.
Utilizing proper planning and strategy when filing taxes is a great way to save money in the long run. With advice from one of our financial advisors, it’s possible to maximize returns while minimizing the amount of taxes paid overall. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – knowledge is power!
Distributions
Distributions, investments, retirement plans, and other financial factors all play a role in how you’ll be taxed. Our advisors can help by exploring different strategies like tax-loss harvesting, Roth conversions, and more so that you’re taking full advantage of available exemptions and deductions.
At Next Gen Financial Planning, we understand the importance of sound tax planning. We take into account your individual situation to create a comprehensive plan tailored to meet your needs. Our ultimate goal is to provide advice that helps lower your tax burden and increase your overall wealth over time – the perfect combination for success!
If you have any questions about taxes or would like help getting started with planning for next year’s filing season, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us. We’ll be happy to discuss your situation and help you find the best solution to lower your tax burden. We look forward to helping you make sense of taxes this year and in years to come!
Lower Your Tax Liability Today
Start taking proactive steps toward reducing your tax burden and increasing your wealth. Our experienced team of professionals is here to provide comprehensive financial planning services and advice tailored to your specific situation. We’ll review all aspects of your financial picture and make recommendations that are geared toward helping you pay the lowest amount in taxes possible. Whether you need a complete overhaul or just some minor tweaks, we have the experience and knowledge to help get you on track for success!
We understand that everyone’s financial situation is unique, so we offer personalized advice tailored specifically for each client. From asset protection strategies to retirement planning solutions, our clients can trust us to provide professional guidance every step of the way. Plus, our services don’t stop once tax season is over. We are here year-round, offering ongoing support and advice to help our clients stay on top of their finances.
At Next Gen Financial Planning, our goal is to make the complicated tax process as simple and stress-free as possible. Our team of qualified advisors is ready to provide you with the assistance you need to navigate through any financial challenge and reach your goals.
Contact us today for more information about how we can help!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IRA?
An IRA, or Individual Retirement Account, is a type of savings account that allows you to save money for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. By contributing pre-tax money into your account, the funds can grow tax free until they are withdrawn during retirement.
What types of investments can I make in an IRA?
IRA accounts allow a wide range of investment options including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. Many people also use their IRA accounts for real estate investments. Can I open more than one IRA? Yes! You can open multiple IRAs in order to diversify your investments and take advantage of different tax benefits.
What is Capital Gains Tax?
Capital gains tax is a type of tax that is applied to any profits generated from the sale of certain types of assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual funds. The purpose of this tax is to prevent investors from using investments solely for speculative purposes or to make short-term profits without paying their fair share in taxes. Capital gains tax rates vary depending on the length of time the asset was held before it was sold.
How do I know what my tax bracket is?
Your tax bracket is determined by the amount of taxable income you earned in a given year. Taxable income includes wages, salaries, tips, dividends, alimony, and other forms of taxable income. Generally speaking, the higher your taxable income is, the higher your tax rate will be.
What is a spousal IRA?
A spousal IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is a retirement savings account that can be owned by one spouse but funded and maintained by both. Funds deposited into the account are typically deductible from each spouse’s taxable income. This type of account allows married couples to take advantage of tax breaks and save more for retirement than they could on their own. Contributions made to the account may be tax-deferred or even tax-free, depending on which type of IRA you choose.
What is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan that allows employees to contribute up to a certain percentage of their pre-tax earnings (up to a certain limit) into a special investment account. The funds in the account are invested, and the returns on these investments can be used to provide income during retirement. Employers often match a certain percentage of employee contributions as an incentive for saving through the 401(k) plan. Funds deposited into a 401(k) are typically not taxable until they are withdrawn.
What is the standard deduction?
The standard deduction is a tax reduction benefit available to taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions. It allows eligible taxpayers to reduce the amount of income subject to taxation each year, thereby reducing the amount of taxes they owe. The standard deduction amount changes every year and is determined by filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.). Generally, the greater one’s income and filing status, the higher their standard deduction will be.
Should I be keeping tax records?
Yes, it is important to keep accurate and organized records of your taxes each year. In the event of an audit or other forms of scrutiny by the IRS, having all necessary paperwork readily available can save time and help you avoid any potential penalties. Records should be kept for at least three years after filing a return, but it is best practice to keep them on file indefinitely.
Good record-keeping also helps with budgeting, tracking expenses, and understanding changes in income from one year to the next. It will also come in handy if you need to amend past returns or if you ever need proof that you paid certain taxes to take advantage of deductions or credits in subsequent years.