Tag Archives: Homestead

Q1 2021 J.K. Financial, Inc. Newsletter … Video Audio Podcast Review – Reminders, Updates, New Tax Rates, By John Kvale

Posted on December 23, 2020 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | 1 comment

In this start to a new year, we update the pictures on the Video and also the entry and exit music. Our editor actually greatly adjusted the colors and fonts of the Newsletter this year, which we really liked as well.

Click the Download button below, for a direct link to an electronic version (an early peek-good ole fashion paper versions are on their way to you shortly) and here for our Newsletter page

Q 1 2021 J.K. Financial, inc Newsletter Download

This Newsletter is chocked full of reminders from events and experiences we had with you in the field last year the would be helpful looking forward into 2021!
J.K. Financial q 1 2021 newsletter

Let’s get going! We hope you enjoy!

Q 1 2021 Newsletter

(YouTube)

The Homestead Reminder

With a very large number of moves in 2020 …. much greater than we can ever recall, in this Article we remind of the Homestead.

In the year 2020 we have had more change of residences than we can ever recall over the past three decades. As a reminder, and using Texas as a template, if you live in your home on January 1 you can do what is called a homestead tax exemption. Once again through the lens of Texas, this is a particularly good tax savings exemption that everyone should do if you live in Texas.
Q 1 2021 J.K. Financial, Inc. Newsletter Lead Financial Planning Article

And just a bit more description from the same Article …

From TexasLawhelp.org – a fantastic non-profit resource we use frequently – again only for Texas residences, those living in other states may want to check for a similar organization.
What property qualifies as a “homestead?”
A “homestead” is a house or other residential structure that you own, together with up to 20 acres where the structure sits if the land is used for residential purposes. A manufactured home on a rented lot qualifies as long as you own the home. Manufactured homes must meet additional requirements for a “Statement of Ownership and Location,” but if you did not receive the paperwork from the prior owner and cannot locate the seller after making a good faith effort, you can submit the affidavit in Form 114-A.

Estate Planning Tops Our Minds

It was literally a race for the greatest increase over normal years, for folks moving to a new residence (per above) or reviewing and updating their Estate Plans.

Has Anything Changed Since My Documents Were Written?
Just because five, seven or even ten years have transpired does not mean that you automatically need to update your documents. If everything looks right, and things have not changed then those documents are likely just fine.
On the other side of the equation if things have changed in the past twelve months (or even less) that would make your documents incorrect, you likely need to do an update so your directives are appropriate.
Q 1 2021 J.K. Financial, Inc. Newsletter Second Lead Financial Planning Article

If we are not in possession of a copy, please send to us or upload to your Vault as we keep things safe and most importantly FOREVER!

Q 4 2020 ES Reminder – The Safe Harbor

Mid-month, January 15, 2022 to be exact is the final due date for Quarterly Tax Payments ( Q 4 2020 ES Tax Payments.) With a pushed out ordinary filing date due, it seems like to many we just filed last year’s taxes (2019), and here we are already rushed to complete 2020. Hence the reminder.

Here is what is looks like

Table

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Here is the link to Publication 505 for 2020 (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p505.pdf) which gives you full instructions on how to file. Here is the link to Form 1040 ES Publication for 2020 (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf) which contains the final voucher.

The Safe Harbor

Lastly, if you are in a situation where you tax bill may be dramatically different from the prior year, in this case 2019, consider trueing up your 2020 taxes to at least 110% of year 2019 total Federal tax withholding. To help avert any penalties or interest.

Retirement Contribution Levels and Medicare IRMA Amounts

While we have posted these levels earlier here, and we know the formatting was a bit wonky, we wanted to review them again directly from the Newsletter.

Here are last years most common levels along with whats up for 2021 – mostly unchanged

IRMA – Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount – Medicare Part B Surcharge

“ If your modified adjusted gross income is above a certain amount, you may pay an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Medicare uses the modified adjusted gross income reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago. This is the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS. “

Here are the 2021 limits and adjustments:

We hope you enjoy … talk to you Next Quarter – Happy 2021 !!!

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

1 Comment

Posted in Estate Planning, Investing/Financial Planning, Medicare, Newsletters, Podcast, Retirement Planning, Social Security, Tax Related, Vault, Video

Tagged Estate Planning, Homestead, Irma, Retirement Levels, Safe Harbor

January 2020 Podcast Video (Dogs Blooper at 2:55), Financial Planning and Capital Market Update – By John Kvale

Posted on February 3, 2020 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Hello and Welcome to our January 2020 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 audio format as well as Video!

Break In: Dog Blooper at 2:55 for those wanting a chuckle!

Newbies –

We like to articulate our thoughts and review on a Monthly basis our Financial Planning Tips, Capital Markets and current events!

January – 2020 Video

Financial Planning Tip (s) –

Handy New Tax Rates and Table

Early in the month, here in this post, we review the new contribution levels, rates and maximums.

As suspected, we have reviewed this ourselves a ton of times already as 2019 and 2020 levels blur during conversations…

Homesteading Reminder

In our article here, we remind all of those who may have changed primary residence last year to check their homesteading provisions as this can be a significant saving, depending on your situation.

Examples

California exempts the first $7,000 of residential homestead from property taxes.
Colorado allows a 50% deduction for up to the first $200,000 (equivalent to a $100,000 exemption if the property is valued at $200,000 or above) for seniors (over age 65) who have lived in their property for ten consecutive years.
Georgia allows a 1% HEST only in a few counties.
Florida‘s homestead exemption allows an exemption of 160 acres outside of a municipality and one-half an acre inside a municipality.^[5]
Kentucky, for 2013 and 2014, the exemption has been set at $36,000. Once it is approved, homeowners who are 65 or older do not need to reapply for the homestead exemption each year.^[6]
Louisiana exempts the first $75,000 of residential homestead from local property taxes.^[7]
Michigan exempts the homeowner from paying the operating millage of local school districts.
Mississippi exemption from all ad valorem taxes assessed to property; this is limited to the first $7,500 of the assessed value or $300 of the actual exempted tax dollars.^[8]
New York‘s School Tax Relief (STAR) program exempts the first $30,000 of a primary home’s assessed value from school district taxes; the exemption is limited to owners with incomes under $500,000. Additional exemptions are available for people over 65 with a limited income. The STAR program applies only to school taxes; no homestead exemption exists for taxes levied by other municipal entities. New York prevents a New York resident claiming this exemption if the New York resident owns property in another state and claims a similar exemption in that other state.
Oklahoma allows a $1000 deduction of the assessed valuation, about $75 to $125 of savings per year, if owners file for homestead exemption with the local county clerk.
Rhode Island exempts the first 20% of the home value from property taxes.
Texas allows a deduction, with additional exemptions available for county taxes, people over 65 and people who are disabled. It also requires school districts to offer a $25,000 exemption (but not other taxing districts, such as cities and counties).^[9] Texas further limits the assessment increase on a homestead to 10% of the prior year’s value.

Helping Close Relatives or Others

During the month, we had multiple Financial Planning questions for close relatives and friends, which were asked, but some what hesitantly…

Wanting to reinforce the fact that we are glad to help, in this article we remind everyone we are not only flattered by the question, but VERY happy to help!

Tax Forms and Information Reminders

In another handy reference post, here, we discuss the tax form alphabet and more importantly, note the due dates and expected delivery times of the most common tax forms….

1099- R and 1099 Miscellaneous cover 95% of most folks reporting!

We know, it’s tax season again…not everyone’s fav…but we are trying to help make it easier.

Capital Market Comments

The markets finally took notice of the CoronaVirus. As scary as the virus is, modern day medicine and the actual fast spreading of the event and comprehension, unlike SARS which we remember well will likely help stem the fears and spread of the virus.

Have a Great Day – Talk to you at the end of February!

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

street-cents

Protesting that Property Tax – While your there double check your Homestead Exemption too…

Posted on May 14, 2018 by John Kvale CFA, CFP | Leave a comment

Those in the Dallas area know it as DCAD or the Dallas County Appraisal District … the agency that assesses our home property values and then sends us the nice green paper page with the damage due later in the year…..

Property Tax Protest

If you think your property value has been accessed too high … thereby making your property taxes too high, you may want to protest… Using DCAD or Dallas as an example, there are three different waves of property values accessments that go out at different times, each with different deadlines. (Only one per family, just three different mailings.)

Bottom line, check with the controlling agency in your area for details.

We have found success with these protests when the data is clearly inflated, however we have had more failures than success.

One last item, we have found the greatest success with in-person visits rather than hiring an outside firm, as long as the request is reasonable.

In many cases a mailing or an on-line protest may be a good idea… again check with your controlling agency for details.

Do some legwork by checking other homes of similar nature against yours… while you may think yours is over stated, if you find it understated against similar properties in the respective agency, you might think twice before protesting.

Homesteading Your Home

In the state of Texas and many other states (but not all) across the country, homesteading your home will give you a discount on your property taxes. Check your individual state for this option and generally you will have had to reside in the home on January 1 of the current year to complete a homestead. Again, check your state, but you will likely have no disadvantage to homesteading your home and will likely only be able to homestead your primary residence.

Here is a good definition of Homesteading from Wikipedia – our biggest favored option is again the discount on our taxes-

Homestead exemption laws typically have four primary features:

1 Preventing the forced sale of a home to meet the demands of creditors, usually except mortgages, mechanics liens, or sales to pay property taxes

2 Providing the surviving spouse with shelter

3 Providing an exemption from property taxes on a home

4 Allowing a tax-exempt homeowner to vote on property tax increases to homeowners over the threshold, by bond or millage requests

For the purposes of statutes, a homestead is the one primary residence of a person, and no other exemption can be claimed on any other property anywhere, even outside the boundaries of the jurisdiction in which the exemption is claimed.

In some states, homestead protection is automatic. In many states, however, homeowners receive the protections of the law only if they file a claim for homestead exemption with the state.

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Tag Archives: Homestead

The Homestead Reminder

Estate Planning Tops Our Minds

Q 4 2020 ES Reminder – The Safe Harbor

The Safe Harbor

Retirement Contribution Levels and Medicare IRMA Amounts

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

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Newbies –

Financial Planning Tip (s) –

Handy New Tax Rates and Table

Homesteading Reminder

Examples

Helping Close Relatives or Others

Tax Forms and Information Reminders

Capital Market Comments

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

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Property Tax Protest

Homesteading Your Home

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A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

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