How to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes
For many of the nation’s high net worth individuals, much of their wealth comes from capital gains. Capital gains are better than income because they are taxed at a much lower percentage than other income. While capital gains taxes could be going down under the Trump administration, it still pays to know every trick in the book to avoid paying more taxes on them than you have to.
With that mind, let’s look at some of the important tips you should know in order to keep your capital gains taxes low. One smart move is to use a tax-advantaged retirement account when you invest. When you use a retirement account to invest, your money is allowed to grow tax-deferred, instead of paying a tax on the gains like a normal investment. Plus, if you use a Roth IRA, even your withdrawals are tax-free.
Additionally, the longer you hold your investments the less you will pay in taxes. If you hold an investment for a year or less then you will pay a percentage rate equal to your ordinary income. If you hold them longer than a year your rates decrease substantially.
Always look for opportunities to sell your underperforming stocks in order to offset the gains from your successful stocks. This will lower your tax bill. Lastly, keep track of your home improvements so when it comes time to sell your home you can use those expenses as deductions from any gains you make on the sale price of your home.
https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/02/07/4-tips-for-avoiding-capital-gains-tax.aspx
IRS Eases Reporting Burden on Corporations and Shareholders
IRS Eases Reporting Burden on Corporations and Shareholders WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced new regulatory revisions that will reduce the reporting burden on corporations and shareholders while also making it easier for them to file their tax returns electronically. The announcement is part of an on-going effort by the IRS to remove…
How Is That Federal Tax Code Treating the Uber Rich?
How Is That Federal Tax Code Treating the Uber Rich? Earlier this year in his annual State of the Union Address, President Obama spent much of his speech discussing taxes. Specifically he talked greatly about the unfair tax system that favors the rich. If the president’s claims were to be believed, then you would think…
Tips to Help Taxpayers with January 30 Tax Season Opening
We thought it a good idea to share some tips to help taxpayers with the January, 30 tax season opening. The IRS will begin processing most individual income tax returns on Jan. 30 after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems. The IRS anticipated many of the tax law changes made…
Deductible Business Expenses
Deductible Business Expenses Business expenses are the cost of carrying on a trade or business. These expenses are usually deductible if the business is operated to make a profit. What Can I Deduct? To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted…