Federal Government Looking for Ways to Get to Retirement Funds

Wooden,Figurine,And,Many,Piggy,Banks.,Concept,Of,Choosing,Savings

Just when you thought your retirement account was safe from the federal government, think again. That’s’ because according to the Government Accountability Office, there are around 9,000 U.S. taxpayers who have a minimum of $5 million in an individual retirement account.

Now some lawmakers are taking a closer look at these accounts because as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden of Oregon puts it: “The IRA was never intended to be a tax shelter for millionaires.” According to the GAO report, these accounts are only possible for someone who has access to investments that are not available to most people or who has an aggressive investment strategy.

Meantime, there were an estimated 1,100 taxpayers that had more than $10 million in their IRAs as of 2001, according to the GAO report. Of those, 314 people had more than $25 million. On the other hand, that means that close to 99 percent of all people who have IRAs have less than $1 million in their accounts.

So what, if anything, is the government trying to do about these types of accounts? For starters, last year, President Obama introduced a proposal that would put limits on these kinds of accounts. Under his proposal no one would be able to add tax-favored contributions after their total account balances accumulated about 3.2 million. However, so far, the president’s proposal has not moved forward in Congress. It remains to be seen if other lawmakers will push harder for changes.

Posted in ,
Deducting Vehicle Expenses for Your Business

Deducting Vehicle Expenses for Your Business

Deducting Vehicle Expenses for Your Business Business traveling costs add up fast. If you own a vehicle that is primarily for business use, there are tax deductions available to you. You can choose to deduct the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. If you are unsure of what option is best for you, consider the…

Common Tax Filing Mistakes for the Self Prepared Tax Return

Common Tax Filing Mistakes for the Self Prepared Tax Return

Common Tax Filing Mistakes for the Self Prepared Tax Return If you are filing on your own, make sure to take note of the following 1. Choosing the wrong filing status. Taxpayers should confirm that the filing status (i.e., single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, qualifying widow(er) with dependent child) selected…

Benefits of Miscellaneous Deductions

Benefits of Miscellaneous Deductions Source: IRS.gov If you are able to itemize your deductions on your tax return instead of claiming the standard deduction, you may be able to claim certain miscellaneous deductions. A tax deduction reduces the amount of your taxable income and generally reduces the amount of taxes you may have to pay.…

Organizing Tax Records This Summer Can Help You Keep Your Cool

Organizing Tax Records This Summer Can Help You Keep Your Cool Source: IRS.gov If the sweltering dog days of summer aren’t incentive enough to get out of the sun for awhile, here is another reason to head indoors: organizing your tax records. Devoting some time mid-year to putting your tax-related documents in order may not…