Tax Planning

Want to pay less taxes? If given a way to legally reduce tax liability, most Americans would welcome that opportunity with open arms. But methods for doing so aren’t always obvious—and may be tricky in certain circumstances. Two such situations include working in the gig economy and navigating required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. Let’s explore strategic tax planning options for both cases.

Tax Planning for Gig Workers 

The gig economy refers to the rise in freelance work through apps such as Uber, TaskRabbit, DoorDash, and Etsy. As a gig worker, you have the flexibility to work on your own time and be your own boss, but you’re responsible for managing your income, expenses, and tax obligations. This could prove difficult and time-consuming, especially if you aren’t well-versed in tax law. There are ways, however, for freelancers to reduce their tax burden and comply with IRS rules and regulations.

• Track business expenses and deductions. As a gig worker, you can deduct business expenses from your taxable income. These might include home office expenses, equipment, supplies, and travel expenses. Keeping track of your expenses throughout the year can help maximize deductions and lower taxable income.
• Learn about tax deductions for freelancers. Gig economy jobs are viewed as independent contract roles by the IRS and are therefore eligible for various tax deductions aside from business expenses. These include deductions for health insurance, retirement contributions, and even a portion of self-employment taxes. Understanding these deductions will help reduce overall tax liabilities; your financial advisor can help clarify which expenses qualify.
• Contribute to retirement accounts. When performing freelance work, you don’t have an employer-sponsored retirement plan but can still contribute to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA to save for the future. Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax deductible, whereas contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax deductible but grow tax free. Contributing to a retirement account may reduce your taxable income and provide long-term savings.
• Consider estimated quarterly tax payments. Gig workers, who often receive income without taxes withheld, are responsible for paying estimated taxes throughout the year. You can use tax software or an accountant to calculate your estimated taxes and ensure that you are paying the right amount. Making quarterly estimated tax payments can help avoid penalties and ensure that taxes are paid throughout the year rather than in one lump sum during tax season.

Using RMDs for Tax Planning in Retirement

As baby boomers retire and life expectancy increases, tax planning for retirement is becoming increasingly important for American workers. One way to maximize tax savings in retirement is through RMDs. You’re required to take RMDs from certain retirement accounts the year you turn 73. Withdrawing them, however, could result in a large tax bill because these are considered taxable income. Here’s how to cut down on what you’ll owe.

• Withdraw more early on. You can start withdrawing money from retirement accounts without a tax penalty at age 59½. If you expect to be in a lower tax bracket when you retire, it could help to take larger distributions at the beginning of your retirement to reduce your account balance and lower your RMDs later (reducing the taxes you owe on them).
• Make charitable donations. Another way to reduce your tax liabilities is by donating your RMD to a qualified charity. This strategy, known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), satisfies RMD requirements and can reduce your taxable income while supporting a cause you care about. Just note the following requirements:
  • You must be 70½ or older.
  • You are limited to $105,000 in 2024.
  • The QCD must be made directly from the trustee of the IRA to the charity.
  • You won’t be able to claim a QCD as a charitable deduction on your taxes.
• Consider a Roth IRA conversion. Although you will be taxed on retirement funds you convert to a Roth IRA at the time of conversion, future withdrawals from a Roth IRA are tax free. The onetime tax payment might be worth paying so you can avoid RMDs altogether and withdraw the money later without paying taxes on it. Strategic Roth conversions can help manage tax brackets in retirement, but they aren’t the right move for everyone, so discuss this possibility with your financial advisor and a tax professional before proceeding.
• Coordinate with social security. If you’re able to withdraw funds from your tax-deferred retirement accounts before you claim social security benefits, you may minimize tax liabilities. Also, if taking distributions from your retirement funds allows you to delay collecting social security beyond your full retirement age, your benefit will increase.

Reducing your tax bill sounds great, but it requires careful planning and understanding of tax laws. Whether you’re a gig worker hoping to take advantage of deductions, a retiree trying to use RMDs to your advantage, or you’re looking at another possible way to legally reduce what you owe the IRS, please reach out to us. We’d love to help with your strategic tax planning. As always, we aim to help you make the most informed decision to optimize your financial well-being.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a qualified professional regarding your situation. Commonwealth Financial Network does not provide tax or legal advice.

© 2024 Commonwealth Financial Network^®

By Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, JD, CTFA
For Pen Bay Pilot

U.S. Taxpayers enjoy a lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. This is the amount a person can transfer at death or during life without triggering a transfer tax.

The exemption amount for 2023 is set to rise $860,000 to $12,920,000 per person ($25,840,000 per married couple) from the 2022 figure ($12,060,000 per person, $24,120,000 for a married couple).

Moreover, taxpayers can use an “annual exclusion amount:” This is the amount one can give away to any number of people each year without triggering the need to file a gift tax return or eat into one’s lifetime exemption. Each year, these amounts are adjusted for inflation.

The annual exclusion amount is set to rise to $17,000 per donee, from $16,000. This can translate into increased flexibility for transferring wealth without incurring taxes on these transfers. Families find this an excellent way for grandparents to help fund education expenses for grandchildren, often using 529 Education Savings Plans that can grow tax-free and be withdrawn tax free for qualifying expenses.

These annually determined, inflation-adjusted exemption amounts are scheduled to ‘sunset’ at the end of 2025, reverting to levels around $6,000,000, unless Congress takes action to extend them. The annual gifting exclusion amount is not currently slated to revert to lower levels.

Consult with your wealth, estate and tax advisors to understand the impact these changes could have on your particular situation.

Minimizing your annual income taxes requires a regular review of your overall financial position. With tax season underway, now is the perfect time to evaluate some effective strategies that could help reduce your current and future taxes. Tax planning should be a year-round activity, so it’s wise to revisit these topics regularly in the context of your current financial situation.

Manage Your Retirement Savings Accounts

If you have the means, maximizing your annual contribution to a retirement account will give your savings strategy a healthy boost. But it’s important to understand how the different types of available retirement accounts differ. The most common options include:

Employer-sponsored retirement plans. Employer-sponsored 401(k) plans allow your investments to grow with taxes deferred until you take money out through a withdrawal or distribution. Some employers offer both a traditional 401(k) plan and a Roth 401(k); if yours does, you should be aware of the different rules for taxes on contributions and distributions:

• With a traditional 401(k) plan, contributions are made with pretax dollars, thus reducing your current income and, possibly, your current-year taxes. Choosing this option may make sense if you want to reduce your income in the current year and/or expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement. Required minimum distributions from the account begin at age 72.
• With a Roth 401(k) plan, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and the account’s accumulated funds have the potential to be distributed tax-free and penalty-free in retirement, if certain IRS requirements are met. This could make sense if you’re not looking for a current-year tax deduction and anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in retirement. Under circumstances known as “triggering events” (one example is termination of employment), Roth 401(k) funds could be rolled tax-free into a Roth IRA and eliminate the need to take required minimum distributions from those assets. Required minimum distributions begin at age 72 in Roth 401(k) accounts but are not required in Roth IRAs.

Retirement plans for the self-employed. If you run your own business, you can use an individual 401(k), SEP (Simplified Employee Pension), or SIMPLE (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) plan to shelter income.

IRAs. If you qualify, you may also be able to make a contribution to an IRA. As of 2020, there is no age limit on making regular contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs. Different rules for taxes on contributions and distributions do apply:

• With a traditional IRA, contributions are generally made with pretax dollars, thus reducing your current income and, possibly, your current-year taxes. Eligibility for making tax deductible contributions to an IRA depends on your tax filing status, modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), and whether you’re covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Required minimum distributions begin at age 72.
• With a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, and the account’s accumulated funds have the potential for tax-free and penalty-free distribution in retirement. Eligibility for contributing to a Roth IRA is based on your tax filing status and MAGI. There is no requirement for minimum distributions when you reach a certain age.
• Converting traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA is another strategy to consider. Generally, this move makes the most sense for those who anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in retirement than they are now. Eliminating the need to take required minimum distributions is a meaningful benefit.

Maximize Your Deductions

Some deductible items, such as medical expenses and charitable contributions, must meet a specific threshold before deductions can be taken. If you fall short of the minimum in a particular year, you might be able to time future discretionary expenses or charitable contributions such that you exceed the threshold one year but not the next.

Review Form 1040

Examining your 1040 could help you spot opportunities for making investments that provide greater after-tax savings. Pay special attention to the Taxable Interest, Tax-Exempt Income, and Dividend Income sections of the form.

Consider Tax-Advantaged Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds are an excellent tax-advantaged investment, especially for people who are in a high income tax bracket or have moved into a higher tax bracket after a promotion or career change. Interest earned on municipal bonds is exempt from federal income taxes and, in most states, from state and local taxes for residents of the issuing states (although income on certain bonds for particular investors is often subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax).

Plan for Capital Gains and Losses

To determine when to recognize capital gains or losses, you will have to know whether you want to postpone tax liability (by postponing recognition of gains) or to recognize capital gains or losses during the current year. If the gains will be subject to a higher rate of tax next year (because of a change in tax bracket), or if you cannot use capital losses to offset capital gains, you could recognize capital gains this year.

Don’t Forget Life Insurance

Life insurance can provide liquidity to pay estate taxes and could be an attractive solution to other liquidity problems, such as those family-owned businesses, large real estate holdings, and collectibles may face. Structured properly, life insurance proceeds can pass free of income and estate taxes.

Putting the Pieces Together

These are just a few of the most common tax planning strategies. We can work with you and your tax professional to assess your current situation and determine which options could be beneficial to you. Making proactive, tax-smart decisions throughout the year is an essential piece of overall financial planning.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer. Third party links are provided to you as a courtesy and are for informational purposes only.  We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these websites.

Municipal bonds are federally tax-free but may be subject to state and local taxes, and interest income may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). Bonds are subject to availability and market conditions; some have call features that may affect income. Bond prices and yields are inversely related: when the price goes up, the yield goes down, and vice versa. Market risk is a consideration if sold or redeemed prior to maturity.

© 2022 Commonwealth Financial Network^®