Final of FIVE Tax Savings Ideas you can do NOW for LAST Year’s (2017) Taxes
We completed the five part series … Three were let out of the box last month …. Let’s quickly review them and then the two final parts from this month!
HSA or Health Savings Account
Our post here, speaks of the terrific opportunity to set aside Pre-Tax dollars to use now or later for medical expenses.
SEP – Simplified Employee Pension
As mentioned in our Post Here, there are very high limits of contribution, and the SEP can be done during mandated RMD’s, as well as in tangent with a 401k program, as long as the upper limits collectively of contribution are not violated.
Pre-Tax Deductible IRA
As the one of the original retirement vehicles and so vintage many forget (We Don’t!) we want to remind here in our post about the IRA – Individual Retirement Account.
Tax Savings reach back reminders from THIS month/March
Maximizing the Sales Tax Deduction
Here in our post this month, we remind everyone to be sure and maximize your Sales Tax Deduction.
From the post …
Here are a few items that may make your standard sales tax deduction drastically inaccurate and woefully low- thereby costing you tax dollars:
Bought a large Asset – Think Car or other similar item
Had more then normal personal taxed expenses – for whatever reason
Large Taxable Asset of any kind purchased
Major expense where you paid sales tax – Think Wedding, Large Party
Be sure to maximize this deduction as it looks like the new tax rules will greatly mitigate it’s use moving forward.
Medical Expense Deduction
We all some type of medical expenses each year. What is a challenge if determining what is and is not deductible.
The IRS does a terrific job with their Publication 502 of reminding and outlining what may be a deduction. In our post here, we remind of a few favorites that we find are frequently missed …
Capital Expenses for home improvements
Transportation Cost
Television
Telephone
Are possible (check to make sure) deductions we find interesting and easily forgotten.
Capital Market Comments
Finding our Footing After Getting Ahead of Ourselves
Another month and our thoughts are the exact same…so much we did not even have to change the title of this part of the review from last month… the chart is updated … looks about the same…
We think patience is needed as this will take time to digest and again find our footing.
Patience will be needed!
Here is where we are now —
For those wondering …. for now, it looks like the 200 Day Moving Average (line below our trend line) is the lower level of support … It may break, which is fine, but for now, looks like someone wants it to hold.
We will keep watch and keep you updated!
Have a Great Day! Talk to you at the end of April!
Medical expenses greater than 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted in many cases. This is not new news to most. What is news is just what can be deducted or worse yet, forgotten to be deducted — read on!
The Forgotten Medical Expense
A Qualified Medical expense can be deducted on your income taxes for last year 2017. Our goal on this subject is to remind you just what can be a Qualified Medical expense.
Publication 502 by our friend at the IRS (yes, I said that – friends- check out the publication and you will see why they are our friends) gives you a mind jarring reminder of just what, and what not is a Qualified Medical Expense.
If you have ANY possibilities that you may be above the 7.5% deduction for medical expenses, Publication 502 is worth a read as it has TONS of ideas you may have forgotten or did not even know were a deduction.
Capital Expenses for home improvements
Transportation Cost
Television
Telephone
Are possible (check to make sure) deductions we find interesting and easily forgotten.
Don’t let that medical expense deduction go away as it looks like the new tax laws are going to greatly diminish this deductible expense.
Have a Great “Found Medical Expense deduction” Day!
No matter if we like it or not, we all have our own biases … some through our upbringing, some from our experiences, some just from our current state of mind given our mood.
Some are great and can be really helpful. Some can create risk inadvertently.
We try internally to monitor and measure these biases constantly.
Our friends at Visual Capitalist have laid a collection of 18 biases out very well.
Take a look – How many do you have?
At least a few? We do too … awareness is super helpful!
Three Tax Savings Ideas you can do NOW for LAST Year’s (2017) Taxes
With the official kick off of Tax Season occurring some time in February … we are not sure what the “Official” start to Tax Season is, but we know it is sometime in February if not earlier .. haha
In an yet to be completed series – we still have two more parts, the first Three were let out of the box this month …. Let’s quickly review!
HSA or Health Savings Account
Our post here, speaks of the terrific opportunity to set aside Pre-Tax dollars to use now or later for medical expenses. In true Reach Back Tax Savings form, this contribution can be made now for last years taxes.
Be Careful though, you must make the contribution by the regular filing deadline i.e. No extensions to get the benefit applied to last year.
As mentioned above this account does not have to be used completely and can be delayed for highly likely future medical needs.
A handy trick we have used over the years when an employer makes some type of a contribution is to remind participants that in most cases you can make up the difference and get a tax savings.
Check with your Health Insurance Carrier to see if you qualify for an HSA contribution. If you do, we highly recommend you make the contribution.
SEP – Simplified Employee Pension
This beefed up IRA is another super Reach Back Tax Saver and the contribution can be made as late as your extended filing deadline.
The SEP offsets income that make come to you as non W-2. Think consulting, temporary work, as side business that generates income to you directly or any non W-2 regular pay.
As mentioned in our Post Here, there are very high limits of contribution, and the SEP can be done during mandated RMD’s, as well as in tangent with a 401k program, as long as the upper limits collectively of contribution are not violated.
Pre-Tax Deductible IRA
As the one of the original retirement vehicles and so vintage many forget (We Don’t!) we want to remind here in our post about the IRA – Individual Retirement Account.
Notice our careful heading of Pre-Tax Deductible IRA – We are not fans of the after tax IRA (contributing and not getting a write off) and in most case recommend you pass if you cannot deduct the contribution.
There are more limits to a Pre-Tax Deductible IRA under current tax laws, again be sure to see our post for limits and restrictions, but if you qualify, it is worth the savings as this is another “Reach Back Tax” saving idea.
Like the HSA, contributions must be made by the regular filing date- extensions do not help you. So do not wait until the last minute.
Capital Market Comments
Finding our Footing After Getting Ahead of Ourselves
In a coincidental oddity, we had been putting the finishing touches on a post prior to the ugly 10% FAST FAST correction that occurred in late January and February.
In our post here, we spoke on where we may get back on trend- No one knows, of course, but simple logic of an unsustainable path was our analysis.
We think patience is needed as this will take time to digest and again find our footing.
Patience will be needed!
Here is where we are now — Our Trend line is looking pretty good – So Far.
We will keep watch and keep you updated!
Have a Great Day! Talk to you at the end of March!
While only in the first inning of tax season, it is here … and we are moving right along. As such, much of our commentary to the finish line will be tax related as we like to keep you up to date on all things tax savings and anything else related.
Corrected 1099 Update
The first round of Corrected 1099’s has occurred and we have reached out to those affected. Generally the “first is the worst” and rarely do we get a greater number of corrected’s in the rounds to come.
Given our light load of Corrected’s so far, if you really need to file, we will give you a soft Green light to file but would rather you wait until the second is complete — a notification we will give as soon as it occurs !
Hold if you can, but if you cannot, go forth!
Tax Forms Help
Be sure to reach out to us for any forms we are in contact with. We generally have SUPER FAST access and quick turn-around on needed statements. If our tax professional is in need … we will get it fast so as not to be the holdup.
If you are not sure on what forms you are supposed to have, lost a form, or just do not have the time get them together … reach out – we have you covered, and can send a complete bundle to you! Do not hesitate to ask, that is what we are here for.
If you need us to email someone the information, just send us the request as we do not let go of your coveted information without directives!
Oh .. and of course all of your tax forms are currently in your Own Personal Vault too…
SLOA Notice – Standing Letter of Authority
Recently a notice has been mailed out for all of our collective protection. This notification tells us of any linking of accounts or standing letters to deposit or withdraw funds from an account such as a checking or other related money account.
This is strictly a protective measure and is a notification only. No action is needed. Again for our collective safety.
Noah’s Ark
Entering President’s Day Weekend we were approaching drought territory. Not anymore …. Now we are gathering two of everything … kidding. But is has been raining A LOT.
Last week we started our tax season discussions here (- the HSA) with a favorite “Last Year” tax savings ideas that can be done this year …
This week another super saving idea … Think of this as an IRA on steroids – due to high limits and ample flexibility!
The SEP – Simplified Employee Pension
Here are just a few reasons why we love the SEP for the correct situation:
Offset 1099 or other consulting like – non W-2 income in a pre-tax form
An IRA can be used to accept a SEP contribution in many cases – no new account needed
Can be used in conjunction with a 401k – Only need 1099 income – High Contribution limits apply
High Maximum Deferral amount $54k – yes that is correct FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND of pre-tax dollars as long as that is no more than 25% of Adjusted Gross Income
Can make SEP contributions even after RMD (Required Minimum Distributions) Begin
Can make your contribution even after the regular tax deadline if you file an extension – This really makes a SEP valuable and give us plenty of time to make the contribution again for LAST year’s tax savings
There are certain limitation and restrictions as mentioned, so don’t just make a contribution unless you are sure it will work for you … or just reach out to us!
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial advisor prior to investing!
Background
The is the vocal portion of J.K. Financial, Inc. a Dallas Texas Based Fee Only Total Wealth Financial Planning Firm. Founded by John Kvale, a Dallas Texas Fee only Financial Planner and Total Wealth Manager.
March 2018 Podcast Video, Financial Planning and Capital Market Update – By John Kvale
Hello and Welcome to our March 2018 Financial Planning and Capital Market Update!
If you are too busy to read, feel free to listen as we describe our post and thoughts in friendly podcast format.
March 2018 Video
Financial Planning Tip (s) –
Final of FIVE Tax Savings Ideas you can do NOW for LAST Year’s (2017) Taxes
We completed the five part series … Three were let out of the box last month …. Let’s quickly review them and then the two final parts from this month!
HSA or Health Savings Account
Our post here, speaks of the terrific opportunity to set aside Pre-Tax dollars to use now or later for medical expenses.
SEP – Simplified Employee Pension
As mentioned in our Post Here, there are very high limits of contribution, and the SEP can be done during mandated RMD’s, as well as in tangent with a 401k program, as long as the upper limits collectively of contribution are not violated.
Pre-Tax Deductible IRA
As the one of the original retirement vehicles and so vintage many forget (We Don’t!) we want to remind here in our post about the IRA – Individual Retirement Account.
Tax Savings reach back reminders from THIS month/March
Maximizing the Sales Tax Deduction
Here in our post this month, we remind everyone to be sure and maximize your Sales Tax Deduction.
From the post …
Here are a few items that may make your standard sales tax deduction drastically inaccurate and woefully low- thereby costing you tax dollars:
Be sure to maximize this deduction as it looks like the new tax rules will greatly mitigate it’s use moving forward.
Medical Expense Deduction
We all some type of medical expenses each year. What is a challenge if determining what is and is not deductible.
The IRS does a terrific job with their Publication 502 of reminding and outlining what may be a deduction. In our post here, we remind of a few favorites that we find are frequently missed …
Are possible (check to make sure) deductions we find interesting and easily forgotten.
Capital Market Comments
Finding our Footing After Getting Ahead of Ourselves
Another month and our thoughts are the exact same…so much we did not even have to change the title of this part of the review from last month… the chart is updated … looks about the same…
We think patience is needed as this will take time to digest and again find our footing.
Here is where we are now —
For those wondering …. for now, it looks like the 200 Day Moving Average (line below our trend line) is the lower level of support … It may break, which is fine, but for now, looks like someone wants it to hold.
We will keep watch and keep you updated!
Have a Great Day! Talk to you at the end of April!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
www.jkfinancialinc.com
www.street-cents.com
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Posted in General Financial Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Market Comments, Monthly Review, Podcast, Tax Related, Video
Tagged HSA, IRA, Market, S & P 500, SEP, Trendline