Tax planning

Clients preparing for a life-altering event — such as marriage, divorce or a new baby — are advised to start getting their paperwork in order.

IRS rules allow clients in certain circumstances to tap their retirement accounts before the age of 59 1/2 without a 10% penalty. But this still should be considered a last resort, an expert says.

Even though the program was created by a large multinational corporation, companies of all sizes could utilize this approach.

The guideline used a specific set of assumptions: a retirement lasting 30 years with savings in a tax-deferred account and nothing left for heirs. Change just one and your “safe” withdrawal rate may differ.

Use these best practices to maximize savings for clients' kids — from birth to college graduation.

Clients only get to reap the rewards of returns after investment expenses are paid.

Use this checklist to help clients avoid the bill from surprise capital gains distributions.

Retirees will owe taxes for up to 85% of their Social Security benefits if their adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest exceed a certain threshold.

Why these are more inviting under the new tax law.

A long-term approach to owning individual bonds is rewarded with both greater yield and safety.

Here's how to make the most of high-net-worth clients' charitable nature.

Advisors to the ultra-rich are upgrading strategies for wealth transfer and philanthropic planning.

Clients may be tempted by the income from low-grade securities, but careful research is in order.

For wealthy people, Uncle Sam is a major challenge to asset growth.

While proceeds from life insurance are not subject to income tax, there are other taxes that will apply. But there are steps to take to avoid those liabilities too.

The upfront tax benefits are undeniable, but that doesn’t necessarily help business owners in the long run.

Taxpayers won’t get big federal write-off above state credit.

Many single baby boomers opt to stay put in retirement because they have no children who would advise them to move to an assisted living or continuous care community.

Thanks to the latest tax laws, real estate investment trusts are more attractive for taxable accounts than in past years.

Seniors are likely to be in a lower tax bracket in the few years after retirement, creating a "sweet spot" for them to convert some of their traditional 401(k) or traditional IRA assets into a Roth account.