In the midst of a flourishing stock market, exploring lesser-known strategies to optimize your portfolio becomes imperative. One such strategy gaining traction is tax-gain harvesting. This method involves strategically selling profitable assets in your brokerage account during periods of lower income, such as early retirement or unemployment. With the S&P 500 showing an impressive 18%
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In recent years, travelers have faced stricter consequences when it comes to ignoring big tax bills. The federal government now has the authority to revoke or limit passports if an individual has a “seriously delinquent tax debt.” This threshold is quite high, reaching over $62,000 in 2024, and includes the total federal tax liabilities, penalties,
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shared a personal story at the Democratic National Convention about how Social Security survivor benefits helped his family after his father passed away from lung cancer when he was 19. These benefits allowed his family to maintain their dignity and live comfortably. Walz’s story sheds light on the importance of such
The cost of attending college has reached a point where some institutions are charging close to six figures a year. This steep cost includes not only tuition and fees but also room and board, books, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. According to data provided by The Princeton Review’s “The Best 389 Colleges” list, several prestigious
Recently, National Public Data, a background check company owned by Jerico Pictures Inc., disclosed details of a massive data breach that potentially exposed over billions of personal records. The breach, which was highlighted in a proposed class action lawsuit, indicated that Social Security numbers, names, email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses were compromised. While
Financial advisors often recommend maximizing 401(k) contributions to secure a comfortable retirement. In 2024, employees can defer up to $23,000 into their 401(k) plans, with an additional $7,500 for workers aged 50 and older. Despite the increase in contribution limits, not everyone should strive to max out their plan account, according to experts. Certified financial
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently hinted at a potential interest rate cut, which would be the first in over four years. This shift in monetary policy has investors wondering how to navigate their portfolios in the face of changing rates. Financial advisors suggest that for those who are already well diversified, no immediate action
Remote work has become a significant trend in the U.S. labor market, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Economists have noted that this shift towards remote work is one of the most substantial changes seen in the labor market over the past couple of decades. Nick Bunker, an economic research director at Indeed, emphasized the staying
Retirees often have various sources of income, such as Social Security, pensions, retirement plans, or other investments, which may require them to withhold taxes or make quarterly payments to the IRS to avoid penalties. While the quarterly estimated tax deadlines for 2024 are April 15, June 17, Sept. 16, and Jan. 15, 2025, there is
In retirement, one of the unavoidable financial obligations that come with funnelling money into pretax retirement accounts is required minimum distributions (RMDs). These mandatory withdrawals can be a nuisance for retirees who do not necessarily need the money, as they can trigger higher taxes. However, financial experts suggest that although RMDs may seem like an