Latest Newsletter Edition

HSA Misconceptions:

HAS accounts have become borderline controversial, unfortunately, many individuals do not fully understand what the account is capable of leading to frustration and misinformation. The truth is, if money is put into an HSA account, by no means is it “stuck” or wasted if you don’t use it in time. There are many myths about these accounts that have led individuals away from utilizing them. Below are a few of the most common myths believed about HSA accounts.

The first and arguably most common myth is that you must use the money in your HSA by year end or it’s gone. One strategy individuals use to maximize their account is to allow it to grow over the years and use it after retirement for Medicare expenses. Along the same lines, if you do decide to use it for medical bills, there is no time frame in which you need to do so. Another myth about these accounts is that you can only get them through your employer. Any HSA-eligible insurance policy will allow you to have one of these that you can get through various banks or financial institutions.

A third myth is a two-fold topic, and that is that many people believe that you can’t contribute into an HSA after turning 65 and that you can’t use it after Medicare. The truth is, you can continue to contribute after turning 65, however, you cannot contribute after enrolling in Medicare. That being said, whatever money you have in the account can continue to be used after you enroll. Many individuals do not know that HSA accounts don’t need to be in a savings accounts, it can also be put into mutual funds for long term growth to maximize their use.

All this information and more on HAS accounts can be found on Kiplinger’s Website. With a greater understanding of how to use an HSA well, you can significantly lower your tax liability without having that money tied up for years.

Tax Planning Tips for Retirement:

To maximize the amount of money an individual plans to retire with, they must consider more factors than just putting away as much as they can. Kiplinger recently put out an article about mistakes to avoid when planning retirement, particularly regarding tax planning. This step is often overlooked but is one of the most essential pieces of creating a maximized retirement portfolio.

The first mistake the majority of individuals make is not maximizing their contributions to retirement accounts. Per the article, about half of working individuals do not have access to a retirement account through their employer. Additionally, only 12% contribute money on their own into an individual retirement account. Taking advantage of these tax deferred accounts will enable you to contribute pretax, and then grow tax deferred until the time you decide to withdraw those funds.

The second mistake is to invest exclusively into pre-tax accounts like a 401(k) or IRA. This may seem to contradict the above advice; however, the point is you should be diversifying your portfolio. In the event that an individual has exclusively invested into pre-tax accounts, it is hard to know exactly how much money they are working with as it will be taxed upon withdrawing it. Opening a Roth IRA is a good way to balance out your diversification. One way to fund these accounts if you do not have extra cash to put into it would be to roll over a Traditional IRA or a previous employer’s 401(k).

The final mistake is one that confuses many folks and that is not having your withholdings properly adjusted. During tax season, getting a massive refund is always exciting, however, all it means is that you paid in too much throughout the year making that money dormant as the federal government held onto it interest free. Ideally, you should owe or get a refund of about $100 one way or the other. If your money is tied up in extra withholding all year, that is less money you have to be investing and gaining interest or you throughout the course of the year. Proper tax planning can help you maximize your investment potential as well as eliminating stress during tax season.

Is Identity Theft Protection a Good Idea for You:

Identity theft is not a new problem; however, it is becoming an issue that affects individuals with greater frequency. According to Kiplinger, over one third of U.S. citizens have encountered their identity being stolen in some form or another. What is even more shocking is that this amount is projected to increase over time. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft.

We live in a day and age that is approaching not if your information will be hacked but rather when. It is important to protect yourself as best as you can from this happening. Most individuals utilize software such as Norton, or McAfee to protect themselves, but this really is just a starting point. In addition to using these services, you should be monitoring your all your accounts for fraudulent activity and frequently changing passwords. Using a credit card instead of a debit card also tends to be a safer option. Prevention is always going to be the best form of protection, that being said, if and when your identity is stolen in some form, it is important to have a protection plan that will help you through the process. Not all plans are created equal, so it is important to find the one with a good reputation that suits your needs.

Does a High Yield Savings Account Make Sense for You?

If you are tired and frustrated with earning a low percentage on your traditional savings account, a high yield savings account is likely a good option. A high yield savings account is very similar to a traditional savings account with the exception of having a significantly higher annual percentage yield (APY). Many traditional savings accounts offer an APY of less than a 0.03% according to Kiplinger, whereas high yield accounts are typically between 3-5%. These accounts are a great option for short-term savings goals or emergency funds as you do not have to have your money tied up for a determined amount of time before it becomes available to you again. They are also often insured by the FDIC.

There are many high yield accounts to choose from on the market today, the right account may look different for everyone, but there are a few things to pay attention to, to quickly decipher a good account from a bad one. First and foremost, you want to look at what account is going to offer the highest APY, around 5% would be considered exceptional. After that you want to pay attention to the terms and conditions, there are enough to choose from that you should stay away from any with monthly fees. Similarly, choosing one that does not require a minimum balance to be carried would also be a good idea. There are plenty that don’t require a minimum opening deposit, however, for some this may not be an issue depending on how much you are looking to put into it.

Kiplinger has listed some of the accounts with a high APY and favorable terms and conditions. A few of those accounts include Mili Bank at 5.50%, Western Alliance Bank at 5.32%, and UFB Direct at 5.25%.  Some more common Banks would be Citizens at 4.5%, Discover at 4.35%, and Capital One at 4.35%. It is important, as mentioned before, to compare these options and determine what makes sense for your financial situation and goals.

When Can/Should You File Your Federal Tax Return:

The IRS will begin processing tax returns on January 29, 2024, that being said, you can submit your tax return now which may push yours to the front of the line if you are anticipating a refund. This may, however, not be a good idea for everyone as some pertinent tax documents are often not distributed until late January- February. In addition to this, according to Kiplinger, Congress is currently in the negotiation process for a new funding deal which would include changes to the child tax credit.

Any changes to the tax code should take place before the 29th. If these changes take place, and your return has already been submitted, an amended return will be required. The deadline for taxes this year is April 18th, unless you file for an extension which would push this back into October. For most individuals, it will be a good idea to wait until after Jan 29th to ensure all changes have been made.

Year End Financial Moves:

The end of the year is quickly approaching, which is the perfect time to assess where you are and where you want to be going. Although it is a busy time of year, setting aside time to create goals and strategize on how to achieve those goals is helpful in the long run. A recent Kiplinger article highlighted five financial moves to consider as the end of the year approaches. 

     The first step Kiplinger lists is to assess where you are financially. Look over your account balances to determine your cash position and compare that to your credit card balances or other debts you may be carrying. Identify whether your current financial situation is on par with the goals you have previously set, and if it is not, determine what is causing the issue. The second step listed is to revisit your benefits. This time of year is typically open enrollment for benefits. These benefits, such as retirement, insurance, and equity are big parts of your financial life even if you don’t see their effect every day. Having a full scope of what plan you’re currently enrolled in is important and what is equally important is to have a good understanding of what all your employer offers. 

     The third step Kiplinger listed is to make your finishing year end moves to improve your tax situation. Although the year end is close, there is still plenty of time to make strategic moves to improve your tax situation. This can ease the financial burden when it comes time to file your taxes. The fourth step is shorter term, and that is to plan your holiday spending. Depending on which source you look at, many put the average American spending at about $1,000 on Christmas gifts. Not only is this a large amount of money, but it is also one that individuals often do not plan on. Consider giving non-traditional gifts such as time or other non-monetary gifts. The fifth and final step Kiplinger discusses is to seek professional help with these decisions. Navigating the world of investments while trying to consider how it may affect your taxes can prove to be difficult and especially time consuming. Seeking help with making these decisions can relieve some of the pressure around the situation as well as creating the best outcome.

Kiplinger’s what to do with $1000:

A recent Kiplinger article came out with suggestions on how to use $1000. One of the first things an individual should do if they have a thousand dollars is to pay off debt, especially those debts with high interest rates. If you are debt free but do not have a money reserve for emergencies, it would be a good idea to put some aside for unexpected expenses. High-yield money market accounts are a great option for this type of savings. If you have the debt and emergency fund covered, consider investing. Whether you are contributing to an existing investment, branching out and diversifying, or starting to invest for the first time, making that money work for you is always a good option. Although the market may be unfavorable as of late, there are numerous decent bond options to buy.

If you want to have fun with your money, consider planning a vacation. If booked far enough in advance, an individual can typically find tremendous deals on flights, hotels, etc. This also has the added benefit of giving an individual something to look forward to on the horizon. Make necessary repairs or elective upgrades to your home. If you/your family enjoy watching movies, consider buying a larger TV or better seating to enjoy movies. Finally, consider being generous with your money and donating to a charity that makes sense to you. Whether it is to feed animals in shelters or clothe less fortunate children, there is a dire need virtually everywhere we look.

Are you left wondering what is an acceptable tip in today’s standard?

One recent morning, on my way home from a trip, I figured it best that I stop and get a coffee before beginning my drive down the highway. There was no one in the drive through line as I pulled up and ordered my medium black coffee. When I arrived at the window to pay, the woman already had my coffee and the card machine ready for payment. After handing her my card, she then held it out the window and informed me it would ask how much I would like to tip. My options were 18%, 20%, 25% or no tip. I felt awkward as she gazed down at my selection, so I chose 20%, pulled my card out, took my coffee and drove away. While driving down the road it occurred to me that I have tipped for more things this past year than I recall doing so previously.

While reading through Kiplinger, I came across an article pertaining to this exact topic. The fact of the matter is most individuals feel tipping is getting a little out of hand. It is uncomfortable to decline a tip when an individual is standing there waiting for your choice. According to Kiplinger, people increased both the amount they were willing to tip as well as the places that they would tip during COVID. Because of this practice, organizations have built into their payment an option to tip each time instead of leaving it up to the patron to decide in order to continue this trend.

The article provided the “standard amount” of how much to tip and to whom you should be tipping. First and foremost, many would agree that the best tip you can give someone is treating them well and should be expected in all encounters. If you appreciate someone’s service they provided, tipping is always a good option to show that appreciation. According to the article in Kiplinger, the first group of individuals to tip are the servers at a sit-down restaurant. The standard amount to tip them is 15-20%. The second group is food delivery drivers, 10-15% is the norm for this. When ordering take-out, they recommend using your discretion but include that many individuals tip 10%. Finally, tip jars at coffee shops, ice-cream shops, etc. is something you should not feel obligated to do, but it is always appreciated, especially since many of the individuals at these establishments are young. The article goes on to mention that you should never feel guilty nor like you must tip when the screen turns around with a suggested amount. Instead come up with your own guidelines of what is acceptable even if that is declining the tip.

Tips to Improve Your Financial Well-Being:

The concept of how to build wealth (spending less than we earn) is not too difficult to understand, however, at times it may be difficult to navigate putting that concept into action. Building wealth will look different for all of us as we have varying goals and timelines. Below are a few ways to improve your financial situation.

The first tip may be the most obvious and the most talked about but it is something few individuals sit down to do. Creating a budget is one of the most important steps you will take in reaching your financial goals. The hardest part is once we create a budget, we must stick to it. Living within our means can not only be difficult but confusing when we are faced with things such as “good debt,” and “bad debt.” Knowing how to decipher what falls into each category all while trying to continue to put food on the table and a roof over your head can be a daunting task. Reviewing your expenses on a regular basis can help you stay on track and ensure your budget is up to date with your current situation.

The second tip is to automate parts of your finance. Not only will this save you time, but it also forces you, in a sense, to work towards your financial goals if that money is going to be automatically accounted for. Having part of your paycheck deposited into a retirement account can also help you achieve that goal. Automating your bills can ensure you don’t accrue any late fees. Part of your budget should be creating an emergency fund. Once again, automating a set amount to be going into this fund is a good way to create a cash surplus. Ideally, a fully funded emergency fund should have three to six months of living expenses, but starting small for things such as unexpected car repairs, etc. is a great start!

You should set aside time each month to review your budget, as mentioned before, but also your overall financial situation. It is good to get into the routine of checking on your 401(k), monthly subscriptions, insurance accounts, etc. When reviewing your expenses, such as insurance, on a yearly basis it is good practice to check in and see if you are eligible for a lower rate. Likewise, when reviewing investment portfolio, it is important to make sure it is performing as it should be.

These few tips can help achieve the reason for all of this and that is to have fun with your finances. When we budget well and live within our means, we can begin to put money aside for recreation. If our money is designated for this purpose, we can enjoy that money without it causing detriment to our day-to-day living expenses.

A few estate planning priorities:

Our health can take an unfortunate turn and decline unexpectedly. At times, this health decline may lead to death. Poor planning can result in loss of control over your affairs while you are still alive, it is important to document and communicate your desires to your loved ones and those you trust. The list of items you should include on your estate planning list is extensive, however, there are a few that should be prioritized.

According to Kiplinger, the first item on your list should be to document your healthcare wants, this includes a few things. Assigning a healthcare proxy for to make medical decisions for you in the event you can not make them yourself is important. Forming a living will can instruct others what level of life saving treatment you want and what kind of long-term care you desire. Making arrangements with a funeral home and cemetery can save your loved ones a lot of trouble in the event of your death, ensure that these arrangements are documented well. Next, you should choose an executor of your estate. This individual will be in charge of dividing up and distributing your assets. Protect your assets by assigning a power of attorney over your finances. Additionally, you should assign one or more successor trustee. Finally, create a file of need-to-know information. This document will likely be extensive but is very important. It should include things like your legal documents of your power of attorneys, copies of your life insurance policy if applicable, banking information, where to find vehicle titles, deeds, usernames and passwords, etc. This is one of those documents that almost can’t have too much information. Planning all of this should be done regardless of your age or level of wealth.

Recent ‘IRS letter’ Scam to Watch Out For:

In previous years, avoiding a scam was easier as you could follow the principle that the IRS will never initiate communication through e-mail, text, or social media which are the most common platforms that scammers use to reach their victims. However, there have been recent reports of letters through the mail being sent to individuals that are a scam. These letters appear to be real as they are printed on IRS letterhead and will include contact information for you to reach out to. They will often be seeking sensitive information such as phone numbers, routing numbers, social security numbers, photo of driver’s license, etc. A claim will often be made that to receive your refund, you must send the information requested back to the sender.

A letter that is fraudulent will often include poor punctuation, awkward wording, and inconsistencies in deadline dates. A true letter from the IRS will always include a section about your rights as a taxpayer, part of your tax ID, and a notice number somewhere near the top or bottom of the page. If there is any question on the legitimacy of a letter you receive, you can always contact the IRS directly using the contact information on their website (www.irs.gov).

Your retirement plan should not be based solely on social security income:

Social Security is typically the beginning cornerstone of one’s retirement plans, however, it also tends to be a misunderstood topic. There is ample misinformation about Social Security that tends to scare individuals into make decisions without examining the truths. One of the most common myths about Social Security is that it will go “broke” and disappear. Although the number of retirees has increased, individuals and employers are still paying into the system. For Social Security to run out of money, the entirety of the workforce would need to stop paying in. An additional misconception is that you must be 65 to begin collecting. According to ssa.gov, you can begin collecting at the age of 62, it will just be a reduced amount. For some individuals it will make sense to begin collecting early, others may want to hold off until full retirement age to collect the full amount. Finally, many individuals think that Social Security will not be taxed if they keep working. Depending on your income level, your Social Security will be taxed which is one reason it makes sense for some to defer receiving the Social Security income until full retirement age. On the other hand, some individuals have been made to believe that you can not work at all if you plan to receive Social Security which is also not true.

Regardless of any myths or facts surrounding Social Security, one thing that we believe to be true is that it should not be what you rely on solely for carrying you through retirement. According to Kiplinger, 74% of Americans said that they are relying on Social Security benefits for their retirement. Although it will not go away, the Social Security benefits can change depending on who is in office, if it changes enough, it can alter your retirement plans. Utilizing IRAs, company pensions, etc. are a much better was to take control of your retirement and use the Social Security to bolster your income verses having it be your entire income.

Have you had a financial conversation with your aging parent?

The thought of our loved one’s aging can be difficult to face but is something that should not be ignored. According to the National Caregiving Alliance, over 11 million Americans are caring for an adult family member at home while also raising children. There are many uncomfortable topics to cover with our loved ones, but if we do not cover them, it can become burdensome. Per a Wells Fargo survey, almost half of Americans with aging parents have not had a financial discussion about the current, or future, financial plan. Here are a few tips on the things you should know about your aging loved one’s finances.

First and foremost, knowing the assets they have is crucial, any retirement/investment accounts, real estate , etc. should be well documented. Additionally, knowing what debts they carry such as a credit card debt or mortgages is equally as important. Any source of income should be discussed as well, whether it be from social security, pensions, or part-time work. Ensuring they have an up-to-date estate plan is also very important. According to Caring.com, over half of Americans 55 years of age and older do not have estate planning documents. The next step would be to plan for potential healthcare costs. Unfortunately, many individuals do not plan for healthcare associated costs when in reality, they can add up to thousands of dollars, especially if considering a long-term care home. Finally, be vigilante about potential financial scams and abuse directed towards the elderly. According to the FBI, in 2021, individuals 60 years of age and older were victim of over 1.7 billion dollars of fraud. Although the topic is not pleasant or easy to talk about, having open and honest conversation with your aging loved ones can save a lot of hardship down the road.

At what age should you stop financially supporting your children?

According to a survey from savings.com, 45% of parents are currently supporting at least one adult child. The monthly price tag for this works out to be approximately $1,400 a month. Some of the main contributors to this dollar amount are things like car payments/insurance, cell phone bills, subscription services (cable/internet, Netflix, etc.), credit card bills, groceries, and a large one being housing cost (mortgage/rent). Many individuals will support their children through their younger years and lose sight of the many things they are paying for or adopt the mentality that paying the way for their children will put them ahead in life.

Supporting your children for a long time truly is a double-edged sword. On one side, it is consuming money that you could be investing or using for your own leisure, and on the other side, it is preventing the children from learning fundamental money management skills. One issue often seen is that there comes a time where the parents either do not want to or cannot support the children anymore. When this occurs, the children are cut off cold turkey and do not know where to begin on making ends meet. Although there is no set age when you should have your child fully supporting themselves, a general rule of thumb would be that as soon as they start making money, you should be forming financial goals with them and having them help out. One of the main goals should be to gain financial independence, and working towards that will allow a smooth transition from being supported to being independent.

Is your credit score hurting or helping you?

Credit scores are something we here all about. The concept is frequently advertised on TV and brought up whenever looking to purchase larger items or open a credit card. What exactly is a credit score and why is it important? Put simply, a credit score is a number that provides information on a consumer’s creditworthiness. According to Kiplinger, this number will typically range between 300 and 850. Most lenders use the FICO scores, and some may additionally take into consideration the VantageScore. If an individual is borrowing money or opening a credit card, a good credit score will allow for significantly better rates which leads to saving money in the long term.

For the FICO score, above 670 is good, above 740 is very good and above 800 is excellent. To achieve these numbers and continue the pursuit of bettering your score, you can start by utilizing these four simple tips. The first would be to pay your bills on time and if possible, in their entirety. Although this may seem obvious, plenty of people forget the due date or struggle to pay the bill in full. The second tip is to keep your credit usage low, ideally, under 30%. Increasing the credit limit on a card may initially impact your score negatively, but will quickly recover if you use that increase to keep your usage lower. Third, do not close old credit card accounts out. If you find yourself “stuck” with an annual fee, contact the company and see if they will roll the account into one similar that does not have a fee. Even if your card has no activity, that will be significantly better than closing it out. Finally, periodically check your credit score, many apps, such as credit karma, will inform you of what your score is and on ways to improve or maintain your score.

Will you need to report your income from third party apps like Venmo and Cash App? :

Initially, it was anticipated that for tax year 2022, any income over $600 would need to be reported on the IRS Form 1099-K for payments made to you through apps such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Square, etc. According to Kiplinger, just prior to year-end, the IRS delayed the “$600 rule” back to tax year 2023. What does this mean for you? The threshold for reported income of these apps will remain at $20,000. If you received income over this dollar amount, you are required to report it.

The $600 threshold will very likely take place in 2023 so it is crucial to be informed about the Form 1099-K and plan your taxes accordingly. It is important to differentiate between what does and does not qualify. The form 1099-K for those over the threshold is sent to you and the IRS so it is important to claim the qualifying taxable income as it will likely be flagged if you do not.

Upcoming Tax Deadlines

September

Day
10 Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during August, you must report them to your employer (employees are required to keep a daily record of tips). All tips must be reported on your individual income tax return. You can use Form 4070.
15 Corporations – Deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2021. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.
15 Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in August.
15 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in August.
15 Individuals – Make a payment of your 2021 estimated tax if you’re not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or won\’t pay in enough tax that way). This is the third installment date for estimated tax in 2021. You may be able to avoid having to pay estimated taxes by increasing your tax withholding. Penalties may be assessed if you do not pay enough tax through withholding and estimated tax payments or if your payments are late.
15 Partnerships – File a 2020 calendar year return (Form 1065). This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see Partnerships under March 15, earlier. Provide each partner with a copy of their final or amended Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or substitute Schedule K-1 (Form 1065).
15 S Corporations – File a 2020 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120-S) and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return. Otherwise, see S corporations under March 15, earlier. Provide each shareholder with a copy of their final or amended Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S) or substitute Schedule K-1 (Form 1120-S).

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October

Day
12 Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during September, you must report them to your employer (employees are required to keep a daily record of tips). All tips must be reported on your individual income tax return. You can use Form 4070.
15 Corporations – File a 2020 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see Corporations under April 15, earlier.
15 Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in September.
15 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in September.
15 Individuals – If you have an automatic 6-month extension to file your income tax return for 2020, file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due.

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November

Day
01 Certain Small Employers – Certain small employers. Deposit any undeposited tax if your tax liability is $2,500 or more for 2021 but less than $2,500 for the third quarter.
01 Employers – Federal unemployment tax. Deposit the tax owed through September if more than $500.
01 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. File Form 941 for the third quarter of 2021. Deposit or pay any undeposited tax under the accuracy of deposit rules. If your tax liability is less than $2,500, you can pay it in full with a timely filed return. If you deposited the tax for the quarter timely, properly, and in full, you have until November 10 to file the return
10 Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during October, you must report them to your employer (employees are required to keep a daily record of tips). All tips must be reported on your individual income tax return. You can use Form 4070.
10 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. File Form 941 for the third quarter of 2021. This due date applies only if you deposited the tax for the quarter timely, properly, and in full.
15 Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in October.
15 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in October.

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December

Day
10 Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during November, you must report them to your employer (employees are required to keep a daily record of tips). All tips must be reported on your individual income tax return. You can use Form 4070.
15 Corporations – Deposit the fourth installment of estimated income tax for 2021. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.
15 Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in November.
15 Employers – Social security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments made in November.

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