Financial planning
When it makes sense to buy extra paper Series I bonds with your tax refund, according to experts
Jetcityimage | Istock | Getty Images If you’re trying to max out the yearly purchase limit for Series I bonds, your tax refund offers an opportunity to buy even more. However, you should consider your goals and weigh alternatives first, experts say. An inflation-protected and nearly risk-free investment, I bonds are currently paying 6.89% annual […]
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Roth IRA conversion taxes may be trickier than you expect. Here’s what to know before filing — or converting funds in 2023
If you made a Roth individual retirement account conversion in 2022, you may have a more complicated tax return this season, experts say. The strategy, which transfers pretax or non-deductible IRA funds to a Roth IRA for future tax-free growth, tends to be more popular during a stock market downturn because you can convert more […]
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‘Don’t wait until March’ to hire a tax pro, says advisor — 3 moves to make before the 2023 tax filing season opens
mediaphotos | E+ | Getty Images Enlist tax prep help One of the first things to consider: Will you be filing your own taxes this year or tapping an expert to file a return on your behalf? If you’re planning to hire a tax preparer, January is a good time to find someone, said certified […]
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How to balance retirement and emergency savings in a shaky economy
Jamie Grill | Getty Images It’s not easy to prioritize financial goals, especially when choosing between two essentials in an unsteady economy: saving for retirement or building your emergency fund. While there are higher 401(k) contribution limits for 2023, you shouldn’t skip rainy day savings to max out your retirement plan, experts say. Indeed, more […]
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Where to keep your cash amid high inflation and rising interest rates: It’s ‘a little tricky,’ says expert
dowell | Moment | Getty Images Investors have many options when saving for short-term goals, and those choices have become more complicated amid high inflation and rising interest rates. While there have been signs of slowing inflation, the Federal Reserve is expecting higher interest rates to continue. “It looks like this year might be a […]
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These states are raising their minimum wages in 2023. Chart shows where workers can expect higher pay
Labor activists hold a rally in support of a national $15 minimum wage on May 19, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images News | Getty Images As the calendar turns to 2023, workers in more than half of all states have something to look forward to this year: a higher minimum wage. […]
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5 tax and investment changes that could boost your finances in 2023 amid economic uncertainty
1. Bigger contribution limits on retirement accounts If you’re eager to boost your retirement savings, there’s good news for 2023: higher contribution limits for your 401(k) and individual retirement account. In 2023, the employee deferral limit is $22,500, up from $20,500, and catch-up deposits for savers age 50 and older jump to $7,500, up from […]
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This ‘wild card’ strategy can help retirees with unpaid quarterly taxes before year-end
Sdi Productions | E+ | Getty Images If you’re retired and skipped your 2022 tax payments, you can still avoid late penalties with an under-the-radar year-end strategy, experts say. Since taxes are due as you receive income, you must withhold levies from earnings or pay quarterly estimated tax payments. You may owe quarterly taxes if […]
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There’s still time to reduce your 2022 tax bill with these last-minute moves
‘Take lemons and make lemonade’ with tax-loss harvesting With the S&P 500 Index down nearly 20% for 2022 as of mid-day on Dec. 19, it may be a good time for tax-loss harvesting, which allows you to offset brokerage account profits with losses, Roberge said. After reducing your 2022 investment gains, you can use additional […]
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Op-ed: Here are 5 questions to ask your financial advisor before the end of the year
Delpixart | Istock | Getty Images The end of the year is a time to give thanks and celebrate the holidays with our families. It’s also an opportunity to reevaluate the previous 12 months and ask your financial advisor some very productive questions. 1. What’s your investment decision process? We often judge the merits of […]
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