Your 1099 Overview

Contributed by: Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®

Tax season is in full swing, and 1099s are being developed and distributed by Raymond James and other brokerage firms. The two most common accounts clients own are retirement accounts (Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, SEP-IRAs, etc.) or after-tax investment/brokerage accounts (Joint brokerage account, individual brokerage account, trust brokerage account, etc.). Because retirement accounts and after-tax accounts are vastly different from a tax perspective, the 1099s that are generated will be much different as well. Let’s review the differences.

Retirement Accounts (Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, 401k, 403b, etc.)

Retirement accounts produce what is known as a 1099-R. Yes, you guessed it – the “R” stands for retirement account! Because retirement accounts are tax-deferred vehicles, the IRS only cares about how much was withdrawn from the account and if there was any tax withheld on those distributions (the 1099-R is also accompanied by form 5498, which also shows any contributions to the retirement account). Because of the simplicity and what is captured on this tax form, I commonly refer to a client’s 1099-R as their “retirement account’s W2”. Given the tax-deferred nature of retirement accounts, portfolio income such as dividends, interest, and capital gains are completely irrelevant from a tax reporting standpoint. These income sources also do not play a role within the 1099-R, so far less accounting goes into producing the 1099-R. This means they are released early in the year – typically in late January/early February (around the same time most W2s are produced for those still working). For those over 70 ½ that have chosen to facilitate gifts to charity through their IRA by utilizing the Qualified Charitable Distribution or ‘QCD’ strategy (click here to learn more about QCDs), Raymond James now captures these gifts on the 1099-R to ensure your tax preparer is aware and factors them into your tax return.

After-Tax Investment/Brokerage Accounts (Trust accounts, joint accounts, individual accounts, etc.)

After-tax investment or ‘brokerage accounts’ are very different from retirement accounts regarding tax reporting. Because these accounts are funded with after-tax dollars and not held in a retirement account, there is no tax deferral. This means that income sources such as dividends, interest, and capital gains are taxable to clients each year – the 1099 produced for these accounts captures this data so your tax preparer can accurately complete your tax return each year. Within the 1099 summary, there are three common sections:

• 1099-Div: Reports dividends paid throughout the year

• 1099-Int: Reports interest paid throughout the year

• 1099-B: Reports capital gains or losses generated throughout the year

Unlike retirement accounts that are tax-deferred, dividends, interest, and capital gains/losses play a significant role within the 1099 because they are reportable on your tax return each year. Therefore, a significant amount of accounting from the various investments within your account is required to determine these figures captured on your 1099. Because taxes are not withheld in these accounts if distributions ever occur, withdrawals are not captured on these 1099s as they would be on a 1099-R. Given the extensive accounting that arises to ensure errors are not made on reportable income, the earliest these 1099s become available is typically mid-February. That said, it is quite common for many 1099s to be distributed closer to mid-March. Because of this, I recommend consulting with your tax professional to see if filing a tax extension is appropriate for your situation.

As you can see, there are important differences between these different tax reporting documents. Having a better understanding of each will make your upcoming tax season more manageable. If our team can be of help with your tax forms or any other areas, please feel free to reach out!

Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Nick specializes in tax-efficient retirement income and distribution planning for clients and serves as a trusted source for local and national media publications, including WXYZ, PBS, CNBC, MSN Money, Financial Planning Magazine and OnWallStreet.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Center for Financial Planning, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Conversions from IRA to Roth may be subject to its own five-year holding period. Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 59½ or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals of contributions along with any earnings are permitted. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.

SECURE ACT 2.0 Is FINALLY Happening!

Contributed by: Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™

For the last several months, we have been monitoring the possibility of a "Secure Act 2.0" being passed into legislation. The initial SECURE Act (which stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement) was passed in late 2019, and had far-reaching effects on Required Minimum Distributions, inherited retirement accounts, and expanded the ability to contribute to IRAs.

Throughout the year, there have been talks about additional legislation through the Secure Act 2.0 to further expand access to retirement savings for individuals, small-business employees, employees with student loans, and part-time workers. 

On Thursday, December 22nd, Secure Act 2.0 was pushed through as part of the $1.7 billion 2023 omnibus appropriations bill (which is a brief 4,000+ page read). Some of the key provisions contained in the bill include:

• Higher retirement plan catch-up limits beginning at age 60 and increasing each year of age. This will likely go into effect in 2024.

• Increasing the Required Minimum Distribution age to 73 in 2023, and eventually it will be increased to age 75 over several years.

• Requiring employers to auto-enroll new employees into their current 401(k) or 403(b) plans with an automatic contribution increase each year.

• The tax penalty for missing a Required Minimum Distribution will be reduced from 50% to 25%, with the future ability to reduce the penalty to 10% if the miss is corrected in a timely manner.

• The establishment of a “starter” 401(k) plan or 403(b) plan for employers that do not currently offer retirement plans.

• A 100% tax credit for employer matches in newly established employer retirement plans.

• Allowing student loan repayments to be treated as retirement plan contributions for company match purposes.

• Establishment of a retirement savings Lost and Found for those who have lost track of old retirement plans.

• A pension linked emergency savings provision.  These accounts must be held in cash and contributions (up to a maximum balance of $2,500) must be treated as retirement plan contributions for matching purposes. Distributions would be tax free.

• Emergency withdrawals up to $1,000 every 3 years, or until the previous withdrawal has been paid back, will be allowed from retirement plans.

• Part-time employees with 2 years of 500+ hours will qualify for retirement plan participation

• The ability to transfer some 529 funds to a Roth IRA in the 529 beneficiary’s name. The amount that can be transferred is subject to Roth IRA annual contribution limits with the lifetime transfer amount of $35,000. Roth IRA contribution income limits do not apply.  The 529 needs to have been established for 15 years.

Many of these updates will slowly go into effect over time, and we are continuing to actively monitor and research Secure Act 2.0 as details continue to emerge. We will provide additional information as it is available, but if you have any questions about how this could affect you, please contact your Financial Planner. We are always happy to help!

Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ is a Financial Planning Manager and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She has more than a decade of financial planning and insurance industry experience.

The information contained in this letter does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™, and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expression of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statement, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Individual investor’s results will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Rebalancing a non-retirement account could be a taxable event that may increase your tax liability.

Blogs You May Have Missed (And Are Worth the Read!)

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

As we mentioned last week, Center team members have written an astounding 59 blogs in 2022! With that much content, it’s easy to miss some of our posts here and there. So, take a look at the list below for some of our Most Underrated Blogs of the Year. There just may be one that peaks your interest!

1. Harvesting Losses in Volatile Markets

Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ discusses several ways you can carry out a successful loss harvesting strategy during inevitable periods of market volatility.

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2. What Happens to my Social Security Benefit If I Retire Early?

Are you considering an early retirement? Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ explains how Social Security is one topic you'll want to check on before making any final decisions.

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3. How to Find the Right Retirement Income Figure for You

When it comes to your retirement income, you don't want to guess. Sandy Adams, CFP® shows you where you should start to develop the most accurate number for you.

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4. Why Retirement Planning is Like Climbing Mount Everest

Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP® shares that our goal as your advisor is to help guide you on your journey - both up and down the mountain of retirement!

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5. New Guidelines May Help Retirees Retain More Savings

Josh Bitel, CFP® shares new RMD tables that now reflect longer life expectancies, which means a reduction in yearly required distributions.

The Results Are In…The Top Five Blogs of 2022

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

Over the course of 2022, Center team members have written an astounding 59 blogs on topics including retirement planning, market volatility, eldercare, and investment planning - just to name a few. The results are in, and here are our Five Most Popular Blogs to close out the year. Check out our list below to see how many you have read!

1. Is My Pension Subject to Michigan Income Tax?

In 2012, Michigan joined the majority of states in taxing pension and retirement account income. Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP® reviews how these taxes can play a role in one's overall retirement income planning strategy.

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2. The “10-Year Rule” Update You Need to Know About

One of the details of the SECURE Act that many of us call the "10-year rule" may be changing slightly. Jeanette LoPiccolo, CFP® shares what you need to know.

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3. Strategies for Retirees: Understanding Your Tax Bracket

Michael Brocavich, CFP® describes the two simple strategies that could potentially help reduce the amount of tax due in retirement.

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4. The Basics of Series I Savings Bonds

With the inflation increase, Series I savings bonds have become an attractive investment. Kelsey Arvai, MBA shares what to consider before adding them to your portfolio.

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5. What is Retirees’ Biggest Fear?

It's not the fear of running out of money. Not the stock market either. Nor loneliness. Sandy Adams, CFP® tells you what it truly is.

New Retirement Plan Contribution and Eligibility Limits for 2023

Contributed by: Robert Ingram, CFP®

If you are planning your retirement savings goals for the New Year, you may be surprised by how much you can contribute to your retirement accounts in 2023. The IRS has increased the annual contribution limits for employer retirement plans and IRA accounts, as well as the eligibility limits for some contributions. With inflation in 2022 at a 40-year high, many of these increases are also some of the largest in decades. Here are some adjustments worth noting for 2023.

Employe retirement plan contribution limits (401k, 403b, most 457 plans, and Thrift Saving):

• $22,500 annual employee elective deferral contribution limit (increased from $20,500 in 2022)

• $7,500 extra "catch-up" contribution if over the age of 50 (increased from $6,500 in 2022)

• Total amount that can be contributed to a defined contribution plan, including all contribution types (e.g., employee deferrals, employer matching, and profit sharing), is $66,000 or $73,500 if over the age of 50 (increased from $61,000 or $67,500 for age 50+ in 2022)

Traditional, Roth, SIMPLE IRA contribution limits:

Traditional and Roth IRA

• $6,500 annual contribution limit (increased from $6,000 in 2022)

• $1,000 "catch-up" contribution if over the age of 50 remains the same

Note: The annual limit applies to any combination of Traditional IRA and Roth IRA contributions. (i.e., You would not be able to contribute up the maximum to a Traditional IRA and up the maximum to a Roth IRA.)

SIMPLE IRA

• $15,500 annual contribution limit (increased from $14,000 in 2022)

• $3,500 "catch-up" contribution if over the age of 50 (increased from $3,000 in 2022)

Traditional IRA deductibility (income limits):

Contributions to a Traditional IRA may be tax deductible depending on your tax filing status, whether a retirement plan covers you (or your spouse) through an employer, and your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). The amount of a Traditional IRA contribution that is deductible is reduced ("phased out") as your MAGI approaches the upper limits of the phase-out range. For example,

Single

• Covered under a plan

  • Partial deduction phase-out begins at $73,000 up to $83,000 (then above this no deduction) compared to 2022 (phase-out: $68,000 to $78,000)

Married filing jointly

• Spouse contributing to the IRA is covered under a plan

  • Phase-out begins at $116,000 to $136,000 compared to 2022 (phase-out: $109,000 to $129,000)

• Spouse contributing is not covered by a plan, but other spouse is covered under plan

  • Phase-out begins at $218,000 to $228,000 compared to 2022 (phase-out: $204,000 to $214,000)

Roth IRA contribution (income limits):

Just like making deductible contributions to a Traditional IRA, being eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA depends on your tax filing status and income. Your allowable contribution is reduced ("phased out") as your MAGI approaches the upper limits of the phase-out range. For 2023 the limits are as follows:

Single

• Partial contribution phase-out begins at $138,000 to $153,000 compared to 2022 (phase-out: $129,000 to $144,000)

Married filing jointly

• Phase-out begins at $198,000 to $208,000 compared to 2020 (phase-out: $196,000 to $206,000)

You can contribute up to the maximum if your MAGI is below the phase-out floor. Above the phase-out ceiling, you are ineligible for any partial contribution.

Eligibility for contributions to retirement accounts like Roth IRA accounts also requires you to have earned income. If you have no earned income or your total MAGI makes you ineligible for regular annual Roth IRA contributions, using different Roth IRA Conversion strategies could be a way to move money into a Roth in some situations.

As we start 2023, keep these updated figures on your radar when reviewing your retirement savings opportunities and updating your financial plan. As always, if you have any questions about these changes, don't hesitate to contact our team!

Have a happy and healthy holiday season and a great start to the New Year!

Robert Ingram, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® With more than 15 years of industry experience, he is a trusted source for local media outlets and frequent contributor to The Center’s “Money Centered” blog.

Any opinions are those of Bob Ingram, CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional. Conversions from IRA to Roth may be subject to its own five-year holding period. Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 59½ or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals of contributions along with any earnings are permitted. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.

Celebrities That Didn't Have Proper Planning

Contributed by: Matt Trujillo, CFP®

The importance of proper estate planning cannot be overstated, regardless of the size of your estate or your stage of life. Nevertheless, it's surprising how many American adults haven't implemented a plan. You might think that those who are rich and famous would be way ahead of the curve when it comes to planning their estates properly. Yet plenty of celebrities and people of note have passed away with inadequate or nonexistent estate plans.

Michael Jackson

The king of pop died in June 2009 with an estimated $600 million estate. Jackson had prepared an estate plan that included a trust. However, he failed to fund the trust with assets prior to his death — a common misstep when including a trust as part of an estate plan. While a properly created and funded trust generally avoids probate, an unfunded trust almost always requires probate. In this case, Jackson's trust beneficiaries had to make numerous filings with the probate court in order to have the judge transfer assets to the trust. This process added significant costs and delays and opened what should have been a private matter to the public.

Trusts incur upfront costs and often have ongoing administrative fees. The use of trusts involves a complex web of tax rules and regulations. You should consider the counsel of an experienced estate planning professional and your legal and tax professionals before implementing such strategies.

James Gandolfini

When the famous Sopranos actor died in 2013, his estate was worth an estimated $70 million. He had a will, which provided for various members of his family. However, his estate plan didn't include proper tax planning. As a result, the Gandolfini estate ended up paying federal and state estate taxes at a rate of 55%. This situation illustrates that a carefully crafted estate plan addresses more than just the distribution of assets. With proper planning, taxes and other expenses could be reduced if not eliminated altogether.

Source: 2022 Wills and Estate Planning Study, Caring.com

Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as Prince, died in 2016. He was 57 years old, still making incredible music and entertaining millions of fans worldwide. The first filing in the Probate Court for Carver County, Minnesota, was by a woman claiming to be his sister, asking the court to appoint a special administrator because no will or other testamentary documents were filed. Since Prince died without a will, the distribution of his over $150 million estate was determined by state law. In this case, a Minnesota judge was tasked with culling through hundreds of court filings from prospective heirs, creditors, and other "interested parties." The proceeding was open and available to the public for scrutiny.

Barry White

Barry White, the deep-voiced soulful singer, died in 2003 without a will or estate plan. He died while legally married, although he'd been separated from his second wife for many years and was living with a long-time girlfriend. He had nine children, but because he had not divorced his wife, she inherited everything, leaving nothing for his girlfriend or his children. As a result, a legal battle ensued.

Heath Ledger

Formulating and executing an estate plan is important. It's equally important to review your documents periodically to be sure they're up to date. Not doing so could result in problems like those that befell the estate of actor Heath Ledger. Although Ledger had prepared a will years before his death, several changes in his life transpired after the will was written, not the least of which was his relationship with actress Michelle Williams and the birth of their daughter Matilda Rose. The will left nothing to Michelle or Matilda Rose. Fortunately, Ledger's family later gave all the money to his daughter, but not without some family disharmony.

Florence Griffith Joyner

An updated estate plan works only if the people responsible for carrying out your wishes know where to find these important documents. When Olympic medalist Florence Griffith Joyner died in 1998 at 38, her family couldn't locate her will. This led to a bitter dispute between her husband, Al Joyner, and Flo Jo's mother, who claimed her daughter had promised that she could live in the Joyner home for the rest of her life.

Feel free to contact your team at The Center with any questions about properly planning your estate. We're always happy to help!

Matthew Trujillo, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® A frequent blog contributor on topics related to financial planning and investment, he has more than a decade of industry experience.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of Raymond James. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Examples used are for illustrative purposes only.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

Contributed by: Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™

In Mid-August, The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law. This law includes several clean-energy tax incentives, provides additional funding for the IRS, extends Affordable Care Act subsidies, implements a minimum corporate tax, and, for the first time, gives Medicare the power to negotiate prescription costs. Although there is doubt whether these provisions will reduce the current historically high inflation rates, the law provides support that is viewed as a breakthrough in climate-related policy.  

• Energy and Climate Change Investments: Tax credits for individuals are extended to households that invest in energy-efficient home improvements. The credit is equal to 30% of the amount paid or up to $1,200/year for these improvements (an increase from the previous 10% rate). A $7,500 clean vehicle credit will be available for those who purchase a vehicle assembled in North America. The credit is allowed for cars with an MSRP of $55,000 or less and vans, SUVs, and trucks with an MSRP of $80,000 or less. (Before you run out and buy an electric car for the tax credit, make sure it qualifies. A list provided by the U.S. Department of Energy can be found here.)

• IRS Funding: Reports of the IRS being underfunded and backed up has been heard for several years. The Inflation Reduction Act provides billions of dollars to the IRS over the next ten years to increase their workforce, update technology, and hopefully work through the accumulated backlog. 

• Affordable Care Act Subsidies: The Inflation Reduction Act extended the premium tax credits for those enrolled in an Affordable Care Act insurance plan and whose income is up to 400% above the poverty line through 2025.  

• Minimum Corporate Tax: The Act introduces a new corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) on companies with income of more than $100 million per year. The 15% tax will be applied to excess income over a corporation’s AMT foreign tax credit for the year. 

• Stock Buyback Excise Tax: In 2023, companies who purchase more than $1 million of their stock in a share repurchase program will be subject to a 1% excise tax.

• Medicare Costs: The Inflation Reduction Act hopes to reduce out-of-pocket drug-related Medicare expenses by capping the annual limit. The out-of-pocket costs will be reduced to $4,000/year or less in 2024 and are set to be reduced again to $2,000/year in 2025. It requires the government to negotiate with drug manufacturers to lower prices, and it requires drug companies to pay Medicare in rebates if the cost of a drug increases at a rate higher than inflation. 

The list above is not exhaustive and does not include several other corporate clean-energy provisions, additional expanded Medicare benefits (insulin cost cap and free vaccinations), and, ultimately, hopes to reduce carbon emissions by 40% over the next eight years. 

Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ is a Financial Planning Manager and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She has more than a decade of financial planning and insurance industry experience.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ and not necessarily those of Raymond James. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Center for Financial Planning, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Student Loan Forgiveness Announced

Contributed by: Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™

On Wednesday, August 24th, President Biden announced a highly anticipated plan to forgive a portion of student loan debt for approximately 43 million borrowers. He also extended the pandemic-driven student loan repayment freeze through the end of the year.

For single taxpayers making less than $125,000/year and Joint or head of household taxpayers making less than $250,000/year, $10,000 of their current student loan balance will be forgiven. For those with Pell Grant debt who meet these income requirements, $20,000 will be forgiven. Pell Grants were given to students with "exceptional financial need." The annual amount of this type of grant awarded is capped at $6,895 for the 2022-2023 school year, and the limit has historically been lower with slight increases each year.

Regardless of the loan type, the amount forgiven will be tax-free. However, whether eligibility will be phased out based on income or a cliff (meaning income $1 over the limits would eliminate eligibility) is unclear.

Loans taken out after June 30th, 2022, will not qualify for this relief. However, current college students who are still considered dependents will be eligible for forgiveness based on their parent's income.

Details on how to apply for forgiveness are still pending, with the understanding that an application will be available before the December 31st repayment freeze ending date. The need to submit an application and certify income will likely be required. Those repaying their student loans through an income-driven repayment plan must certify income yearly. There's also the possibility that some portion of loans will automatically be forgiven if the Department of Education has current and relevant income data. We expect that additional and more detailed guidance will be released in the coming weeks.

Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC™ is a Financial Planning Manager and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She has more than a decade of financial planning and insurance industry experience.

This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Kali Hassinger, CFP®, CSRIC® and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Center for Financial Planning, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

The “10-Year Rule” Update You Need to Know About

Contributed by: Jeanette LoPiccolo, CFP®

**The IRS has waived the 50% penalty for beneficiaries subject to the 10-year rule under the SECURE Act who have not taken 2021 or 2022 required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited IRA. Learn more HERE.

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We have discussed the SECURE Act of 2019 in several blogs, but one of the details of the SECURE Act that many of us call the “10-year rule” may be changing slightly.

This blog discusses the impact on some Beneficiary IRA accounts, also called Inherited IRA accounts. It does not include beneficiary Roth accounts. 

In Feb 2022, the IRS released new proposed regulations (REG-105954-20). One of the surprises in this document was new guidance regarding the “10-year rule” for beneficiary IRA owners. The IRS requires that once IRA required minimum distributions begin, they should not be stopped. What does that mean? If the original IRA owner was over 72, they were subject to annual required minimum distributions (RMDs). When the beneficiary inherits an IRA subject to RMDs, those RMDs will need to continue.   

You may think, “I was told that the 10-year rule applies now”. But this refers to the category of eligible designated beneficiaries who are required to withdraw the inherited IRA funds by Dec 31 of the 10th anniversary of the original owner’s death. The “RMD” was understood to be the final withdrawal in the 10th year. For example, if Jane died in 2020 at age 75 and named her son Joe, age 40, as the sole beneficiary, Joe would have to withdraw all of the funds by Dec 31, 2030. For some beneficiaries, RMDs will be due annually, and the entire account must be withdrawn by the end of the 10th year.

If you have read this far, you already understand that this topic is complicated. While the proposed legislation is not enacted until it becomes law, proposed regulations are effective now. Therefore, we will notify our impacted clients of the potential RMD amount for their accounts. We also suggest that our clients wait until November to take action. Why wait? We may receive further updates from the IRS later this year. 

We continuously monitor, discuss, and review these changes with clients and as a firm. If you have any questions about how the rule could affect you or your family, we are always here to help!

Jeanette LoPiccolo, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She is a 2018 Raymond James Outstanding Branch Professional, one of three recognized nationwide.

The RJFS Outstanding Branch Professional Award is designed to recognize support professionals in RJFS branches who contribute to the success of their advisors and teams. Each year, three winners are selected and recognized during this year's National Conference for Professional Development. To be considered for this award, Branch Professionals must have been affiliated with Raymond James for at least one year and could not have won the award in the past.

The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Please note, changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person's situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 59½ or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. Additionally, each converted amount may be subject to its own five-year holding period. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.

New Guidelines May Help Retirees Retain More Savings

Contributed by: Josh Bitel, CFP®

In late 2022, the treasury department quietly updated life expectancy tables, reflecting that Americans are living longer and should have a longer time horizon for full distribution of retirement accounts.

When retirement accounts came into law via the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, required minimum distributions (RMDs) were established. This is an amount mandated by the IRS that individuals must take out of their retirement account each year (for those aged 72 and above) to avoid paying a stiff penalty. Two components make up the size of the RMD – the account holder's age and the account value. Generally speaking, the older an account holder is, the larger their distribution must be in relation to their account size (for example – assuming a $1,000,000 account, someone 72 years of age must distribute $36,496 by year-end, while an 85-year-old must distribute $62,500). These figures are gathered by taking your account balance and dividing it by your life expectancy factor, as dictated by the IRS (table shown at the end of this blog).

New RMD tables now reflect longer life expectancies, which means a reduction in yearly required distributions. So if you're someone who only takes out the minimum distribution every year, in theory, you can retain more of your savings in tax-advantaged accounts.

Of course, satisfying annual RMDs doesn't always mean taking your distributions and putting them into your bank account for spending. There are strategies available to reinvest these funds, avoid taxes by sending them to charities, and fund college savings plans, among other things to help you achieve your financial goals.

RMDs are truly in place so that account owners aren't able to defer their taxes indefinitely. Like anything else in the world of finance, it's best to fully understand the rules before making decisions. For this reason, you may be best suited to consult with a financial advisor to avoid any pitfalls.

Josh Bitel, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He conducts financial planning analysis for clients and has a special interest in retirement income analysis.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Josh Bitel, CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Examples used are for illustrative purposes only.