These Tax Planning Tips Could Save You Big in Retirement
These Tax Planning Tips Could Save You Big in Retirement
Is retirement on your radar? If it is then planning for taxes in retirement should be, too. Retirement often presents unexpected financial challenges. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead. There are many steps to take when planning for retirement. Meeting with an experienced tax accountant and/or a financial planner is a smart move if you’re getting ready to retire.
The Perfect Time to Switch
One great way to help your financial situation in retirement is to convert your traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA. But it’s not for everyone, so there are some things to be aware of before you do it. There is a time for most people between when they retire and when they start taking the required minimum distributions from their 401(k). It’s during this time that you can take advantage of this conversion. But always be sure any move you make lines up with your overall financial objectives in retirement.
Tax-Free Distributions With Roth
So here’s what you do if you want to transfer to a Roth IRA and why it can be beneficial. First off, traditional retirement accounts, including 401(k) plans, come with taxes when you withdraw the money. You do get to contribute to them tax-free, but eventually the taxman gets his share. The beauty of a Roth IRA is that your distributions are tax-free. That’s because the money you contribute to a Roth has already been taxed. Additionally, the money you contribute to a Roth IRA typically comes when you are in a lower tax bracket.
Will You End Up in a Higher Tax Bracket?
If you leave the money in a traditional IRA, by the time you start withdrawing it, that extra income could push you into a higher tax bracket. That means you would have to pay a higher percentage on the money you withdraw. If you haven’t planned for this additional tax bill then it could throw off your entire retirement finances.
No Required Minimum Distribution
Another nice thing about a Roth IRA is that there is no required minimum distribution. In fact, you can just leave the money untouched for the rest of your life. Some people do this and then pass the assets onto their heirs when they die. It’s a great way to take care of your family after you’re gone. And guess what? Your heirs get to withdraw the money tax-free, as well (in most cases). In addition, you can covert your traditional IRA to a Roth over an extended time-period. This helps prevent you from jumping into a higher tax bracket. It also helps you avoid a big tax sting, which would happen all at once if you convert all your assets at the same time.
Two More Things to Know
The main thing to keep in mind when converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth is making sure you have enough cash at your disposal to pay the taxes that will be due when you convert. Lastly, you also typically have to wait five years before you can withdraw form a Roth completely tax-free. So there you have it. Converting to a Roth makes a lot of sense for a lot of people heading towards retirement.
We hope you found this article about “These Tax Planning Tips Could Save You Big in Retirement” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com. GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.
Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.
The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.
They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:
Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…
MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness. It’s mission statement:
In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.
Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.
Mansion Ends Up Getting Owner in Hot Water for Tax Evasion
Is it possible to hide anything from the IRS? Even when you think you’re safe, it appears the IRS has an eye in the sky. That eye seems to be all reaching, at least in Pennsylvania. A wealthy real estate developer and CEO of Automated Health Systems owns a luxurious 32,400 square-foot mansion that apparently…
Why Are Your Property Taxes So Darn High?
While the majority of people pay the most attention to the taxes they see regularly, i.e. income and sales tax, there are other taxes that cost you a lot of money that you may tend to forget about. One of those taxes that cost a lot, but that kind of goes unnoticed is property tax.…
IRS Is a Lot More Open to Compromise These Days
It used to be that if you owed a large debt to the IRS you didn’t have a great chance of catching a break. Even though the IRS has always been able to compromise, at least a little, the tax agency has never been really eager to do so. Some people might not even be…