Quick Answer Investment losses are never the goal, but a loss in a taxable investment account may create a tax-planning opportunity. Tax-loss harvesting involves selling an investment below its tax basis so the realized loss can be used against capital gains and, within limits, other income. The key is to make the tax decision without losing sight of the investment plan. How Tax-Loss Harvesting...
Quick Answer For U.S. federal tax purposes, the IRS generally treats cryptocurrency and other digital assets as property. That means selling, exchanging, or spending cryptocurrency can create a taxable gain or loss, while receiving crypto as compensation or certain rewards can create ordinary income. For investors, the challenge is often less about knowing that crypto is taxable and more about...
Most people in their fifties, sixties, and seventies are insuring a life they no longer live. The liability limits on their policies haven't moved since the kids were in high school, even though their investments and home equity have been growing for decades. The mismatch is easy to miss because insurance arrives as three separate bills — home, auto, umbrella. Three renewal notices, three...
By: Arash Navi, Senior Wealth Manager, CFP, CFA, CPA A High Earner's Path to Tax-Free Growth The Roth IRA has become the retirement account of a generation. A decade ago, most families followed the traditional-IRA playbook their parents used — take the tax break now, pay the tax later. That script has flipped. According to the Investment Company Institute, older savers still lean traditional...
Americans are remarkably generous. Every year, individuals across the country give to their churches and synagogues, support disaster relief halfway around the world, fund local food banks, and back causes close to their heart — often without giving much thought to the tax mechanics behind it. Most people simply assume that if they write a check to charity, they get a deduction for it. Starting...
Lately, almost every conversation I have with clients, friends and family members seems to arrive at the same place: "What do you think about this AI stock?" or "Should I try to get in on the SpaceX IPO?" It's easy to understand why. We're in the middle of one of the most exciting market stretches in years. Artificial intelligence and semiconductor stocks have driven the major indexes to record...
For many families, education savings and retirement savings are closely connected. Parents may wonder what happens if a child does not use all the money in a 529 plan. Young professionals with student loans may feel they need to prioritize debt repayment before they can start saving for retirement. SECURE 2.0 created two planning opportunities that address these common concerns: limited...
If you've ever stared at your employer retirement plan (i.e., 401k, 403b, 457, etc.) enrollment form and wondered, “Is 6% enough? Should I do 10%? What about Roth?” — you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get from clients and prospects, and the answer is more personal than the generic “save 15%” advice you'll read elsewhere. Let's break it down with current data, a clear...
Today is National Be a Millionaire Day! Don’t believe me? It’s on the calendar: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/celebrations/national-be-a-millionaire-day-may-20 If you aren’t a millionaire yet, let’s play a game of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? If you’re already a millionaire, feel free to play along too. It’s one question, and you get three lifelines. Ready? Ok, let’s play! Celebrating...
If you've recently inherited a traditional IRA from a parent, the rules of the game have changed — and for working professionals in their peak earning years, the tax stakes are higher than most people realize. The IRS finalized its long-awaited inherited IRA regulations in 2024, and as of 2025, annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are back on the table for most non-spouse beneficiaries....
After three consecutive years of double-digit gains, U.S. equity markets stumbled in the first quarter of 2026, pressured by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, a sharp rise in energy prices, a reassessment of mega-cap technology valuations, and fading confidence in near-term Federal Reserve easing. The S&P 500 Index1 declined 4.6% during the quarter, as the outbreak of the...
World Password Day (May 7, 2026) is a useful reminder that while technology evolves, one thing hasn’t changed: access to your accounts is still one of the most valuable targets for cybercriminals. What has changed is how attackers operate. Today’s threats are more sophisticated and scalable than ever. AI-driven phishing emails can closely mimic trusted contacts. Credential stuffing...
A Financial Planner’s Guide (2026) Are nursing home expenses tax deductible? What about in-home care or assisted living? Here’s everything you need to know about claiming elder care costs on your tax return — from someone who’s been through it personally. When a loved one’s health deteriorates suddenly, it can be overwhelming. On top of the emotional weight — watching someone who was once...
Let’s play a game. How do you play? Think about what financial goals you want to instill in your child. Schedule a free consultation with one of our Certified Financial Planners™ professionals to help codify those goals into a comprehensive financial plan. Put that plan into action and marvel as the 8th wonder of the world (compound interest) works its magic. The sooner you play, the sooner your...
How SECURE 2.0 tax credits, falling plan costs, and contribution limits up to $72,000 make this the best year to start a Solo 401(k). If you’re a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor, or sole proprietor who has been relying on a traditional IRA — or worse, no retirement plan at all — 2026 may be the most important year to reconsider your strategy. The Solo 401(k) has quietly become one...
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