Personal financial planning news and resources

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December 8, 2020

New Form W-4 slow to gain traction with taxpayers

Only 26% of taxpayers have changed their withholding since Form W-4 was revised in 2019, an AICPA survey found.

December 4, 2020

Answering clients’ estate planning questions this December

This article offers answers to questions from clients who are concerned about protecting their estate from tax changes that might happen in 2021.

December 1, 2020

The COVID-19 era: Planning for the year end and beyond

Tax-savvy and risk-averse strategies come to the fore.

December 1, 2020

Ask the expert: Tax planning

Karla D’Alleva Valas leads Fidelity Charitable’s adviser success strategy focused on CPAs who prioritize charitable planning as integral to their practice. Previously, she led the Complex Asset Group, a team of attorneys working with CPAs to facilitate charitable donations of appreciated private company stock and other nonpublic assets.

November 16, 2020

It’s a tough year for year-end tax planning

Advisers face the difficult task of helping clients plan for next year without knowing for certain which party will control the Senate.

November 16, 2020

Quiz: Are you ready for year-end planning during a pandemic?

When it comes time to put on your year-end planning hat, will you be prepared to provide the best tax and financial planning advice to clients? Take this quiz to see if you’re ready to tackle year-end planning for 2020.

November 16, 2020

How to help clients dealing with a loved one’s addiction

CPAs can help families navigate the financial side of substance abuse.

November 1, 2020

COVID-19 and withdrawals from retirement plans

Taxpayers under financial duress caused by the pandemic can avoid penalties.

October 26, 2020

Inflation-adjusted income ranges for 2021 IRA and 401(k) plans

The IRS announced that the income ranges for employee participation in workplace 401(k) plans and IRA contributions will increase from 2020 to 2021. Most of the other retirement plan contribution limits stayed the same, however.

October 22, 2020

Americans’ personal financial satisfaction sees record rebound

The AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi) rose 99% in the third quarter, setting a new record for quarterly growth. This finding underscores this year’s economic volatility, as last quarter the PFSi saw its largest-ever quarterly decline.

October 19, 2020

Unclaimed property distributions allowed as self-certified rollovers

The IRS issued guidance adding state unclaimed property fund distributions to the list of reasons that taxpayers may self-certify that they missed the 60-day deadline to roll over funds to a qualified retirement plan.

October 2, 2020

ABLE account final rules provide wide-ranging guidance

Eligible individuals with disabilities received guidance from the IRS on the rules regarding ABLE accounts. Tax-favored ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals to save money to meet qualified disability expenses.

October 1, 2020

Slott and Thies receive PFP honors

Ed Slott received the Sidney Kess Award for Excellence in Continuing Education, and Zach Thies received the P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning Scholarship.

October 1, 2020

Time to consider a Roth conversion

A qualified rollover contribution to a Roth IRA or an in-plan rollover to a designated Roth account, known as a Roth conversion, can be attractive for CPA advisers’ clients because it provides a higher net present value of cash flow from their retirement savings, benefiting themselves or their beneficiaries.

October 1, 2020