Tax strategies

Restructuring a client’s investments to maximize their after-tax payoff can yield a small fortune. Start with these steps.

For high-net-worth clients whose estates top the federal exemption, smart planning matters as much as ever. Here are a few strategies advisors may find rewarding.

The American Institute of CPAs has written to some of the top tax lawmakers in Congress asking them to grant relief to taxpayers in appropriate situations when they miss a statutory deadline or make an error in choosing an election.

The beginning of the year is a great time to handle many estate planning tasks. Use this to-do list with clients to give their plans a review and update.

Congress should revamp Social Security to ensure that retirees will receive at least 75% of their benefits in case the trust fund is depleted, says a professor.

Reducing taxes by using previous capital losses to offset current investment gains and why raising the capital gains tax should be considered.

The president's proposals are "not a good capital investment policy in my view, and I think many clients would agree," says Jeanie Wyatt, CEO and CIO of South Texas Money Management in Houston.

Here's what advisors should keep in mind if changes to capital gains rules gain traction on Capitol Hill.

Gearing up for tax season? Here are two things to consider when planning for your wealthy clients.

A new interpretation of the once-per-year rollover rule could spell big trouble for some clients.

Obamacare is about to collide with the U.S. tax-filing season, adding frustration for millions of taxpayers trying to figure out how to comply and how much they will owe the government.

The deal to buy the accounting firm was directly influenced by the increasing commoditization of investment management.

Why investors should review changes to investment-related taxes, understand all the rules governing net investment income tax and know what can destroy their tax season.

How clients can assess their financial fitness, and avoid triggering a tax audit.

Since transferred assets are required to be placed in low-risk investments, account holders are likely to end up with negative returns after IRA providers deduct the fees.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns electronically on January 20. Paper returns will begin processing at the same time.

How clients can face higher taxes on gains paid by underperforming mutual funds, shrink their tax footprint and spend their tax refund wisely.

The recently enacted Tax Increase Prevention Act extends the provision that allows certain IRA owners to make tax-free distributions to charity, but the deadline is coming up.

Try these guidelines for giving shares of appreciable stocks, making major money moves before year-end, and setting up tax maneuvers for 2015.

Using donor-advised funds can ease the pressure on clients to make hurried year-end giving decisions, while still allowing them to receive the tax benefits from their donation.