tax strategy
10 articles
The Backdoor Roth IRA: A Step-by-Step Guide for High Earners
How the backdoor Roth IRA works for high earners: pro-rata rule, IRS Form 8606, non-deductible IRA contributions, conversion mechanics, aggregation rule, and step transaction doctrine.
Donor-Advised Funds: The Flexible Charitable Giving Account
How donor-advised funds work: contribution mechanics, bunching strategy, appreciated stock donations, immediate deductions, delayed grants, and comparisons with private foundations.
GRATs Explained: How the Wealthy Transfer Assets Tax-Free
How Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts work: annuity payment formulas, zeroed-out GRATs, 7520 rate dependency, rolling GRAT strategy, estate freeze mechanics, and IRS audit risk.
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Removing Life Insurance from Your Estate
How ILITs work to exclude life insurance proceeds from taxable estates: Crummey powers, the 3-year lookback rule, gift tax exclusion use, trustee requirements, and GSTT interaction.
Mega Backdoor Roth: The $66,000 Strategy Most People Miss
How the mega backdoor Roth IRA strategy works: after-tax 401(k) contributions, the 2024 415(c) limit, in-service withdrawals, in-plan Roth conversions, IRS Notice 2014-54, and plan document requirements.
Qualified Opportunity Zones: Tax Deferral and the 10-Year Exemption
How Qualified Opportunity Zones work: capital gain deferral, step-up in basis rules, the 10-year exclusion, OZ fund mechanics, and the risks of illiquidity.
Section 1031 Exchange: Deferring Capital Gains in Real Estate
How like-kind exchanges work under Section 1031: identification windows, closing deadlines, boot rules, qualified intermediary requirements, and reverse and improvement exchanges.
Self-Directed IRAs: Rules, Prohibited Transactions, and Alternative Assets
How self-directed IRAs work: custodian requirements, prohibited transaction rules under IRC 4975, disqualified persons, UBIT on leveraged investments, allowable assets, and IRS penalties.
Tax-Advantaged Accounts Compared: 401(k), IRA, HSA, and More
Full comparison of 401(k), Roth 401(k), traditional IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, FSA, 529, and Coverdell accounts: 2024 contribution limits, tax treatment, withdrawal rules, and RMD requirements.
Tax Bracket Optimization: How to Keep More of What You Earn
Marginal vs effective tax rates, bracket stacking, income shifting, and deduction bunching—practical strategies to legally reduce your annual tax burden.