Investing, if not done correctly, can produce an unwanted tax consequence. To guide clients through the complex world of taxes and investments we work with them on several key tax-related strategies.
1. Maximize Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Utilize Retirement Accounts: Encourage clients to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs. These accounts offer tax deferral or tax-free growth, depending on the type.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): HSAs provide a triple tax advantage: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.
2. Consider Asset Location
Place Investments in the Right Accounts: Advise clients to hold tax-inefficient investments, such as bonds and real estate investment trusts (REITs), in tax-deferred accounts. Meanwhile, tax-efficient investments, like index funds and growth stocks, are better suited for taxable accounts.
3. Harvest Tax Losses
Tax-Loss Harvesting: Clients can offset capital gains by selling investments that are underperforming at a loss. These losses can also be used to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year, with any remaining losses carried forward to future years.
4. Utilize Long-Term Capital Gains
Hold Investments for the Long Term: Encourage clients to hold investments for more than a year to benefit from lower long-term capital gains tax rates, which are typically lower than short-term rates.
5. Strategic Charitable Giving
Donate Appreciated Assets: Instead of cash, clients can donate appreciated stocks or other assets to charity. This allows them to avoid capital gains taxes and still receive a charitable deduction for the full market value of the asset.
6. Roth Conversions
Convert Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs: During low-income years, clients might consider converting part of their Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, paying taxes now to benefit from tax-free withdrawals in retirement.
7. Municipal Bonds
Invest in Tax-Free Municipal Bonds: Municipal bonds generate interest that is often exempt from federal and sometimes state income taxes, making them a good option for clients in higher tax brackets.
8. Review Investment Portfolio Regularly
Rebalance Portfolios Tax-Efficiently: Clients should regularly review and rebalance their portfolios, being mindful of the tax implications of selling assets. Tax-efficient funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may be used to minimize taxable events.
9. Qualified Dividends
Invest in Dividend-Paying Stocks: Qualified dividends are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income. Ensuring that dividends qualify by holding the stocks for the required period can optimize tax outcomes.