Earlier this year, we wrote a blog titled “Considerations When Inheriting an IRA.” This blog discussed modifications made by the SECURE Act and how these rules changed from the pre-SECURE Act. Unfortunately, the IRS released proposed regulations on February 23, 2022, that added more complexity to the rules governing required minimum distributions (RMDs) on most inherited IRAs including SEP Plans and SIMPLE Plans, as well as some qualified plan distributions. In today’s blog, we’ll review how these proposed changes may impact you.
Read MoreTax Warrior Chronicles
IRS Proposed Regs Change RMD Requirements for Some Inherited IRAs and Qualified Plans
RMD **Reminder** and Effective Ways to Use Them
By: Brandon Caine, CPA, and Robert Polans, CPA, MT
As we approach the 2021 tax filing season, remember it is also Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) season. You generally have until December 31, 2021, to take your RMD out of tax-deferred retirement accounts to avoid costly penalties, unless this is your first RMD year, in which case you get a grace period until April 1, 2022. You generally do not have to take RMD’s from your employer’s plan until you terminate or retire. Individuals who inherited qualified plan accounts, including either traditional or ROTH accounts, must take their first RMD by December 31 of the year following the death of the original account owner. While many take
Read MoreIRS Springs a Surprise Interpretation of the 10-Year Rule Under the SECURE Act
By: Elizabeth Witko, Macc, MSF and Robert N. Polans, MT, PFS
Important Update:
Shortly after this blog was published on April 29, 2021, we received “unofficial word” from several sources including the AICPA and NAIFA that the IRS intends to correct their confusing guidance in Publication 590-B on Stretch IRA’s and the SECURE Act. We have been informed that the recent IRS Publication update did not reflect the views of IRS officials drafting new regulations or some Congressional Committee staff members who assisted in the writing of the SECURE Act. As more information becomes available regarding this development, we will provide an update.
Are you someone that inherited an IRA post
Read MoreIRS Grants Extensive Relief to 2020 RMD Recipients
If you received a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) in 2020, you should take careful note of guidance contained in the recently issued IRS Notice 2020-51 regarding the CARES Act’s waiver of 2020 RMDs and a taxpayer’s ability to rollover such distributions.
Read MoreThe SECURE Act - Significant Changes for IRAs and 401(k)s – Part II
By: Beth Gaasbeck, CPA, MBA and Robert N. Polans, CPA, MT, PFS
Welcome to Part II of our two-part blog discussing the SECURE Act and its impact on retirement and estate planning. The Act was signed by the President on December 20, 2019, and is effective as of January 1, 2020. Today’s focus is on the not-so-good parts of the Act.
Read MoreThe SECURE Act - Significant Changes for IRAs and 401(k)s – Part I
By: Beth Gaasbeck, CPA, MBA and Robert N. Polans, CPA, MT, PFS
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (the SECURE Act) as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, effective 1/1/2020. Not exactly a Holiday present, there are favorable and unfavorable provisions impacting your retirement planning. In this two-part series, we will take a closer look at the highlights under the law.
Read MoreIRS Rules Post-Retirement Payments Are Subject to Self-Employment Tax
By: Tiffany Diaz, CPA
In a perfect world, retirees would receive post-retirement payments from former employers tax-free. However, a recent IRS letter ruling puts a damper on that notion. In this short blog, we give an overview of the details and the only exception to the rule regarding post-retirement payments.
Read MoreAdvantages of Naming Spouse as Sole Beneficiary of IRAs
All named beneficiaries of a decedent's IRA can receive a distribution from the decedent's IRAs. However, a surviving spouse who is the designated sole beneficiary of the decedent's IRA has two unique options that are not available to other beneficiaries. The surviving spouse may: (1) roll over the decedent's IRA into an IRA established in the spouse's own name ("spousal rollover"), or (2) elect to treat the decedent's IRA as the surviving spouse's own IRA ("election"). The surviving spouse is treated as if she had funded the IRA with either of these options.
April 1 Deadline - Tax Planning for Required Minimum Distributions
When it comes to taxes, reaching age 70-1/2 is an important milestone. It is the age you must begin taking minimum annual distributions from your traditional IRAs. Additionally, if you have already retired, you must also begin making mandatory withdrawals from your employer retirement plans. If you do not take these minimum distributions when you are required, you could get hit with a 50% tax penalty.
April 1st is Critical for Tax-paying Seniors with IRAs & QRPs
A critical date is approaching for those who attained age 70.5 during 2012. If that is you, then by April 1, 2013, you must commence making required minimum distributions (“RMD”) from your traditional IRAs. If you are/were a participant in a qualified retirement plan ("QRP," e.g., 401(k) plan) you must begin taking distributions by April 1st of the calendar year following the later of the year in which you reach age 70.5, or retire; except for 5% owners, who have the same rules as IRA owners. A qualified plan, however, may provide a specific required beginning date (“RBD”), so be sure to check with your former or current employer, if applicable.