Year-end to-do lists are commonplace. The problem is, they always seem to get published in mid-to-late December. I can almost hear the collective “thanks for nothing” comment from readers as the information arrives too late to act upon. As we are still before Thanksgiving, here are a few year-end items to consider…before it really is too late.
Question:My client’s husband recently passed away. We have converted her late husband’s 401(k) to a beneficiary 401(k) in preparation for transferring it to a beneficiary (inherited) IRA. There is company stock inside the 401(k) currently. We want to leverage the NUA (net unrealized appreciation) tax strategy. Is stock inside a beneficiary 401(k) eligible for NUA, the same as the stock would have been when he was alive?All the best,
Question:My client’s husband recently passed away. We have converted her late husband’s 401(k) to a beneficiary 401(k) in preparation for transferring it to a beneficiary (inherited) IRA. There is company stock inside the 401(k) currently. We want to leverage the NUA (net unrealized appreciation) tax strategy. Is stock inside a beneficiary 401(k) eligible for NUA, the same as the stock would have been when he was alive?All the best,
Question:Good afternoon. I am looking for some Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) help, please.If someone does a rollover of company stock to an IRA, can she undo that rollover and then do an NUA transaction?Thanks,Alan
Question:I have a large amount of stock from a previous employer in my 401(k). I had been reinvesting the dividends for the last 23 years since I left the company. I no longer want to reinvest the dividend to buy additional shares. Most of the stock has appreciated considerably since I bought it.
Last week the Ed Slott team hosted another highly successful and sold-out 2-day advisor training program at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Over 250 financial professionals from across the country attended, and we plowed through our 400-page manual. During the two day event we discussed IRA beneficiary rules, trusts as beneficiary, net unrealized appreciation, backdoor Roth IRAs, SECURE 2.0 changes, QCDs, the pro-rata rule, gifting strategies, etc.
The goal of the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) tax strategy is to enable a person to pay taxes on the appreciation of company stock formerly in a work plan at long term capital gain rates as opposed to ordinary income rates. The spread between long term capital gains vs. ordinary income could result in a sizable tax savings for those eligible for the strategy. However, not everyone can participate, and for those who are candidates for NUA, there are potential stumbling blocks along the way.
Question:I turn 72 in 2023. If I wait to take my first RMD until 4/1/24, do I calculate it using my IRA balance on 12/31/23 or on 12/31/22? I think 12/31/22, but do not want to assume. I can't find a clear answer in Pub 590-B.TimAnswer:Tim,
1. What is the NUA (Net Unrealized Appreciation) tax break? It is the opportunity to pay tax at long-term capital gains rates on the appreciation of company stock held within a company plan vs. paying ordinary income rates on that growth.2. Who is a potential candidate for NUA? Anyone with highly appreciated company stock in their workplace plan, like a 401(k).
On July 15 and 16, financial advisors from around the country gathered virtually for Ed Slott and Company’s Instant IRA Success workshop. We took a deep dive into the rules governing retirement accounts and engaged in some lively discussions of issues that advisors on the front line are facing regularly as they help their clients plan for a secure retirement. Here are five takeaways to share from our recent meeting:
