How clients can leverage the new law for tax-free retirement: Tax Strategy Scan

Our weekly roundup of tax-related investment strategies and news your clients may be thinking about.

How clients can use the new law to live tax-free in retirement
Clients should develop a proactive strategy that will allow them to minimize or avoid taxes on income from their portfolio after they retire, an expert from TheStreet writes. "A successful strategy will enable you to take tax-free distributions from your traditional IRA (up to the standard deduction), Roth IRA, Social Security as well as the cash value life insurance," the expert writes. "Doing this correctly will put you in the 0% tax bracket, giving you peace of mind and protection, not to mention more money, even in the face of dramatically higher taxes."

Retirees are advised to tap into their Roth accounts last to minimize hefty tax bills associated with 401(k) distributions.
A man reads a newspaper at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Happy Valley racecourse in Hong Kong, China, on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. One of the city's most-venerable institutions, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which has been called an "ATM for the government" for its huge contributions to the city's tax coffers and charity efforts, is facing trouble. Disinterest among many young people and an upcoming bridge link to the glittering casinos of Macau threaten the future of the money-spinning gambling monopoly. Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg

REITs are sending a powerful buy signal
REITs will not gain significantly from the corporate tax cuts under the new tax law, according to this article on Barron's. That's because REITs are pass-through entities and pay a small income tax. However, REIT holders can gain from the law, as it allows them to deduct 20% of dividends that they receive, and this will result in a lower maximum tax rate.

How to turn found money into retirement income
Clients who unexpectedly receive a windfall or incur savings from spending cuts are advised to use the money to maximum advantage and that is to develop the best retirement income plan, an expert on Kiplinger writes. For example, clients who have $1,000 in newly-found savings may want to lease a vehicle for $80 more monthly or boost payments for more comprehensive long-term care insurance plan or a life insurance policy, writes Golden Retirement Advisors CEO Jerry Golden. "These actions might also allow you to comfortably take larger monthly payments from your retirement account today,” Golden writes. “In addition, insurance offers powerful tax benefits because the proceeds are received tax-free.”

How retirees can save on charitable donations under the new tax law
Many taxpayers are less likely to itemize deductions including those for charitable donations, as the new tax law has made it less valuable by raising the standard deduction, according to this article on MarketWatch. However, retirees who are at least 70 1/2 years old can donate to their favorite charity and still get the tax benefit by taking a qualified charitable distributions in their IRA. A QCD will enable them to donate an amount directly to a qualified charitable organization and count the amount towards their required minimum distribution without adding it to their taxable income.

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The Minnesota Society of CPAs recently conducted its annual CPA member survey about the most strange and unusual tax deductions proposed by clients. The responses included everything from pets and wedding rings to gifts not given.

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6 tax deductions clients can take without itemizing
Above-the-line deductions are tax breaks that taxpayers can claim even without itemizing their deductions on their returns, according to this article on Motley Fool. Some of these tax breaks are the tax deductions for contributions to traditional IRAs and health savings accounts. Other above-the-line deductions are the tax breaks for moving expenses, student loan interest and educator expenses. Clients who won't opt for itemized deduction can still deduct alimony on their 2017 tax returns, but they can no longer get this tax break staring on their 2018 returns.

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Tax planning Trump tax plan Roth IRAs Social Security IRAs Roth IRAs REITs Tax returns
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