The Slott Report

Special IRA Distribution Tax Break for Miltiary Reservists

Certain retirement plan distributions, known as Qualified Reservist Distributions (QRDs) qualify for special tax breaks. The retirement plan distribution must come from an IRA or from amounts that were contributed as salary deferrals under a 401(k), 403(b) plan or a similar plan.

Slott Report Mailbag: Will Congress Renege on the Roth IRA’s Tax-Free Deal?

We understand the public's apprehension with those in Washington, D.C., and this week we received many questions on recent Congressional action and what may be in store for the future. This week's Slott Report Mailbag examines two issues Congress has not taken a stand on (and in our opinion won't for fear of public outcry and backlash) - the Roth IRA's tax-free distribution power and the Stretch IRA.

IRA Roundtable: Talking New Tax Laws, Tax Time Planning Strategies

Ed Slott and Company is spending two full days talking about the new tax laws, IRAs, retirement distribution planning and more during our 2-Day IRA Workshop starting tomorrow in Orlando. We took some time in the video below to talk about the new tax laws (American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012) and key planning strategies and dates clients and their tax team should be aware of when filing their 2012 tax returns.

Reminder From IRS: Don’t Forget Your 2010 Roth Conversion!

IRS recently issued a "friendly" reminder to taxpayers who did Roth conversions back in 2010 and took advantage of the two-year deal to split their conversion income equally between 2011 and 2012. IRS wants to be sure that those taxpayers do not "forget" to include the second half of their conversion on their 2012 tax returns.

Slott Report Mailbag: Can I Contribute to a Roth IRA?

This week's Slott Report Mailbag includes some of the more popular questions we receive each week. Can I contribute to a Roth IRA? What happens to my deceased parent's required minimum distribution (RMD)? We answer those questions and more in the question-and-answer below.

Congress’ Retirement Benefits: With Low Approval Ratings, Are They Worth It?

As I was looking for information on pension plans for our U.S. presidents, I came across information on pension plans for members of Congress, the group of individuals we elect to set tax and spending policies for our government. The same group of individuals who miss crucial deadlines for setting policies time after time after time. The same group that gives us phased-in provisions in legislation, temporary provisions that expire or are supposed to expire but get renewed over and over again.