The powerful tax-deferral tool is likely nearing its end. WHAT IS STRETCHING: Sustaining and maximizing the tax-deferred status of an IRA when the beneficiary is a non-spouse such as a child. WHO LIKES IT: Beneficiaries who accrue years of compounded, tax-deferred growth while minimizing the Present Value of the liability (i.e. $1 in the future [...]
As one of the oldest and best-known indexes the DJIA is not only a benchmark for the world’s largest stock market but, also, a barometer of global confidence. This chart details the DJIA’s performance since 1896. It’s interesting to note how the highs and lows have reflected the U.S. economy. Greater still is [...]
We recently completed and are happy to share with you Apollo's 2017 Mid-Year Investment Outlook. It incorporates q1 activity with projections for future economic, tax and political events. It is meant to be a general guideline - not specific advice/recommendations. Specifics (cash flow, tax, estate, etc) dictate how this information may be incorporated into one's [...]
Lending to consumers has steadily increased since the credit crisis and has continued since the November elections. Lending to companies has stalled since the elections. Yesterday The Fed raised ST interest rates and [...]
Procrastinators rejoice! This year due to April 15th falling on a Saturday and Washington, D.C.'s Emancipation Day (the holiday celebrating President Lincoln's signature into law on April 16th, 1862 to end slavery in D.C.) falling on a Sunday (meaning it will be observed on the 17th - a Monday) Federal personal income tax returns and [...]
According to a recent study by caring.com just 40% of U.S. adults have a will (including only 36% of U.S. adults who have children under the age of 18). What’s more only 53% of U.S. adults have a healthcare power of attorney (“POA”). What’s the big deal? Without a will or similar trust agreement decisions [...]
On January 10th California Governor Jerry Brown proposed a whopping $179.5 billion (yes, that’s a “B”) budget. State revenues are projected to fall short by $1.6 billion. The culprit? All those greedy millionaires and billionaires who refuse to pay their “fair share.” According to the most recent data (2014) the top 10% of the state’s [...]
The IRS has issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates for calculating the deductible costs of operating an automobile. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. Effective Jan 1st the standard rates for a car, van, pickup truck or panel truck [...]
Legislation has been introduced to the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee that among other things would: increase full retirement age at which workers could claim benefits after 12/31/29 raise for workers the “early retirement age” to 69 change how benefits are calculated to increase benefits for lower-income workers while slowing the growth of [...]
Retirement savers in Required Minimum Distribution status likely (or at least should) know some of the basics. Some retirement savers will have reached age 70 ½ this year and begin taking their first RMDs. A popular strategy involves aggregation. IRS rules state that an RMD should be calculated for each account separately. Then, where aggregation [...]