As 2015 draws to a close, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act) was signed into law on Friday, December 18. Buried in this legislation, which is over 2,000 pages long, is a provision that expands your ability to take a penalty-free distribution from your IRA for higher education. We examine qualified education expenses and the addition of computer expenses in the possible penalty exceptions.
Are you facing big college tuition bills? Generally, if you take a taxable distribution from your IRA before you reach age 59 ½, you will be subject to an additional 10% early distribution penalty. However, an exception to the penalty allows you to take a penalty-free distribution from your IRA if you use the funds for qualified higher education expenses. If you decide to tap your IRA early in order to pay for education costs, you will want to avoid these four mistakes that others have made.
If you are taking care of children and not working outside the home, you may believe that you are not eligible to make an IRA contribution. You may think that because IRA contributions must be based on taxable compensation, if you personally have not worked this year, you are out of luck. That may not be case. Here's why.
This week's Slott Report Mailbag looks at the process of reporting IRA distributions on your tax return - and what happens if you pay too much tax? - answers a question about a woman's rising Medicare Part B premiums and points out the key 401(k) employer plan provision that could allow you to move employer plan funds outside the plan while still a plan participant.
If you have a traditional IRA and are age 70 ½ or older this year, you will have to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA for 2015. Your 2015 RMD is calculated by dividing your December 31, 2014 IRA balance by a life expectancy factor. You can determine your life expectancy factor by using life expectancy tables issued by the IRS. You will most likely use the Uniform Lifetime Table except when this special spousal rule applies.
The rules for rolling over IRA distributions can be complicated. These rules can become especially challenging at the end of the calendar year. If you are taking a distribution from your IRA at end of 2015 and considering a roll over that may not be completed until 2016, here are four facts you will want to know.
This week's Slott Report Mailbag examines the statute of limitations on assessing additional tax liabilities on required minimum distributions (RMDs) and answers questions on utilizing disclaimers on inherited IRA funds and planning for and paying estimated tax payments.
Are you retired? If so, you may think that a Roth IRA is not for you. Before deciding if a Roth IRA will benefit you as a retiree, here are 10 facts that you will want to know.
The Slott Report Mailbag is full of inquisitive consumers searching for answers on the pro-rata rule, the intricacies of IRA rollovers, and the "due dates" for an IRA owner's first and second required minimum distributions (RMDs).
If you are just starting to save for your retirement or have a family member who is wondering what steps to take for a secure retirement, the recent announcement from the Treasury Department expanding the myRA program is important news. Here's how you can utilize them.
