All Posts
October 22, 2025
10:42 AM
The taxable amount of SS has not changed. Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches: Married Filing Jointly: $32,000 Single o...
See more...
The taxable amount of SS has not changed. Up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable when all your other income plus 1/2 your social security, reaches: Married Filing Jointly: $32,000 Single or head of household: $25,000 Married Filing Separately: 0 But there is a new Enhanced Deduction for Seniors of $6,000 for each spouse 65 or older if you qualify. The income limit is 75,000 (150,000 Joint). That is listed separately on your return and is in addition to the Standard Deduction or your Itemized Deductions and is after any Social Security taxable amount on line 6b. The deduction for seniors will be allowed for 4 years, from 2025 through 2028. It will be on new 1040 Schedule 1-A I just made an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the deduction How much is your Total Income?
October 22, 2025
10:42 AM
3 Cheers
TurboTax does not have a tool for multi-year Roth conversion planning. TurboTax is designed to prepare and report taxes on a year-by-year basis. TurboTax can accurately process a Roth conversion for...
See more...
TurboTax does not have a tool for multi-year Roth conversion planning. TurboTax is designed to prepare and report taxes on a year-by-year basis. TurboTax can accurately process a Roth conversion for a specific tax year, it does not have the modeling capabilities necessary to strategically plan conversions over the entire "retirement valley." TurboTax is designed to report on the conversion after it occurs, not projecting and creating the best strategy for the future.
Many brokerage firms also offer free online calculators to help model the tax impact of a Roth conversion based on different scenarios. I would check with your financial institution to see what Roth Conversion Calculator they may have available.
Some things to keep in mind when you do use a calculator to help plan for multi-year conversion:
Tax brackets: By spreading out conversions over several low-income years, you can fill up your lower tax brackets (e.g., the 12% or 22% brackets) and avoid pushing yourself into a higher one.
Medicare premiums: Higher income from a Roth conversion can trigger Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA), increasing your Medicare Part B and D premiums. A good calculator will help you plan conversions to stay below IRMAA thresholds.
Social Security tax: A higher taxable income from a conversion can increase the amount of your Social Security benefits that are subject to federal income tax.
State taxes: Don't forget to account for state and local income taxes, which can vary and impact the cost-benefit analysis of your conversion
October 22, 2025
10:41 AM
2 Cheers
Hello Liangtwn:
Let's review:
*The appreciation $10 ($120-110) of the share is treated as the earnings, correct?
The $10 gain is classified as earnings in the Roth IRA
* Can the t...
See more...
Hello Liangtwn:
Let's review:
*The appreciation $10 ($120-110) of the share is treated as the earnings, correct?
The $10 gain is classified as earnings in the Roth IRA
* Can the the$10 be distributed tax-free and penalty-free on 1/1/2025 because it has been in the Roth for more than 5 years?
In order for earnings tax-free and penalty-free, the distribution must be a Qualified Distribution, which requires two separate conditions to be met:
First condition, 5 year Rule:
In your case: If the 2/2/2020 conversion was your very first Roth funding event, the 5-year clock started on January 1, 2020.
The 5-year period ends on December 31, 2024.
Therefore, as of January 1, 2025, the Earnings 5-Year Rule is met.
Second condition, Qualified Reason:
You must meet one of the following: Age 59 1/2or older,
Qualified first-time home purchase (up to $10,000$ lifetime limit),
Disability, or
Distribution made to a beneficiary after your death.
Assuming you are at least 59 1/2 years old (or meet another qualified reason), your conclusion is correct: The $10 of earnings can be withdrawn Tax-Free and Penalty-Free starting January 1, 2025.
October 22, 2025
10:40 AM
What can I do with money inherited from a parent? Do I have options other than paying taxes on the income stream it provides? Thanks.
October 22, 2025
10:38 AM
Topics:
October 22, 2025
10:37 AM
1 Cheer
NO.
First, an estimated payment will be due by January 15. You can only delay to the filing date if you file and pay in full by January 31, and most people don't have all their paperwork at th...
See more...
NO.
First, an estimated payment will be due by January 15. You can only delay to the filing date if you file and pay in full by January 31, and most people don't have all their paperwork at that point.
Second, the IRS is going to see that income as if it was spread out over the whole year, and they are going to want to see estimated payments (about $2500 each) having been paid in April 2025, June 2025, Sept 2025 and January 2026. Since you did not make those payments, you need to make the full estimated payment by January 15, 2026, and also fill out the penalty form 2210 with your tax return and use the Annualized Method (schedule AI). This shows the IRS that your income was not evenly spread out but that your payments matched your income in each quarter.
October 22, 2025
10:35 AM
Since your spouse passed away in 2025, you are considered married for the entire year and can file your 2025 tax return (in 2026) as "Married Filing Jointly", as long as you did not remarry in 2025. ...
See more...
Since your spouse passed away in 2025, you are considered married for the entire year and can file your 2025 tax return (in 2026) as "Married Filing Jointly", as long as you did not remarry in 2025.
If you're using TurboTax, here’s what you’ll typically do:
Start a joint return as usual.
When prompted, indicate that your spouse passed away in 2025.
TurboTax will guide you through entering the date of death and any other relevant details.
Form 1310 is the Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer. You likely DO NOT need to file Form 1310. Surviving spouses and court-appointed representatives don't need to complete this form. You establish your right to the refund by simply filing the joint return and writing "Filing as surviving spouse" in the signature.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-a-final-federal-tax-return-for-someone-who-has-died has more information.
I'm very sorry for your loss, Alex. This is a difficult time, and this is a very common question.
@amartino11 Thanks for the question!
October 22, 2025
10:35 AM
I will turn 73 in late 2027. Which month and year am I required to begin RMDs? I plan to pay for my grandchild's college tuition beginning in the spring/summer of 2028. May I receive a tax credit ...
See more...
I will turn 73 in late 2027. Which month and year am I required to begin RMDs? I plan to pay for my grandchild's college tuition beginning in the spring/summer of 2028. May I receive a tax credit by sending the RMD of my 403b directly to my grandchild's college? Thank you!
October 22, 2025
10:35 AM
For a married couple 65+, how does the latest tax bill affect how much of my spouse’s 25 k in SS will be taxable in the following scenario: earned income about $100k, pension about $50k, interest, c...
See more...
For a married couple 65+, how does the latest tax bill affect how much of my spouse’s 25 k in SS will be taxable in the following scenario: earned income about $100k, pension about $50k, interest, capital gains about $30k. Will we have to pay tax on $25k in SS given the standard deduction, $6.5k property taxes, and the new deduction for seniors?
October 22, 2025
10:34 AM
Is It's deductible gone?
Topics:
October 22, 2025
10:34 AM
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credit is a refundable credit designed to help eligible individuals and families afford health insurance. The credit is reconciled through a process on your ...
See more...
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credit is a refundable credit designed to help eligible individuals and families afford health insurance. The credit is reconciled through a process on your annual federal income tax return, meaning your final eligibility and the amount of the credit are determined when you file your taxes. The calculation of the premium tax credit depends on several factors, including your household size, income, and the cost of the benchmark health plan available in your area.
If any of these factors change during the year, such as an increase in income, it is important to report those changes to the Health Insurance Marketplace promptly. Failure to report changes can result in significant tax liability at the end of the year, as you may be required to repay excess credit amounts received in advance.
Regarding your specific question, TurboTax does not have the ability to track your taxable activities or notify you of changes related to the premium tax credit throughout the year. However, the TurboTax software provides detailed explanations of how the credit works and its potential tax implications during filing season. For more information, you can read this additional article about the premium tax credit and its tax effects: Health Care and Your Taxes: What's the Connection?
@Ray0200
Thanks for the question!
**Say “Thanks” by clicking the thumb icon in the post
**Mark the post that answers your questions by clicking on “Mark as Best Answer”
October 22, 2025
10:34 AM
We do not have any other information from you. You have not told us what other income you are receiving in addition to the SS. Without any personal information like email or SSN, provide some det...
See more...
We do not have any other information from you. You have not told us what other income you are receiving in addition to the SS. Without any personal information like email or SSN, provide some details about the other income you have.
October 22, 2025
10:33 AM
That's entirely up to you, and you don't really give enough information about yourself to make very many helpful comments.
Certainly, if you need the money to live, you might need to stop contr...
See more...
That's entirely up to you, and you don't really give enough information about yourself to make very many helpful comments.
Certainly, if you need the money to live, you might need to stop contributing. If you are not retired, have extra money, and are choosing between a regular savings account and a Roth IRA, you might stick with the Roth, because you can withdraw the contributions tax-free if needed (just like a savings account) and only pay tax if you withdraw earnings. If you are retired and thinking about estate planning, your heirs would not owe tax whether they inherited cash or a Roth IRA. But, if you need long term medical care, Medicaid can require you turn over a Roth IRA to them before they will cover your care, but they will not require you turn over a traditional IRA (as long as you turn over the RMD each year).
October 22, 2025
10:33 AM
What percentage should I set aside for taxes?
October 22, 2025
10:30 AM
1 Cheer
The IRS generally assumes that income is earned evenly over the year, so if you have significant taxable income in the last quarter of the year and paid a large estimated tax payment in the last quar...
See more...
The IRS generally assumes that income is earned evenly over the year, so if you have significant taxable income in the last quarter of the year and paid a large estimated tax payment in the last quarter to cover that liability, your tax return could initially show a penalty for not paying in earlier in the year.
If your income is not received evenly (e.g., you're a seasonal business owner, or you received a large bonus or capital gain late in the year), you may be able to reduce or eliminate the penalty by using the Annualized Income Installment Method. You would used Form 2210 to allocate your income based on when it was actually received during the year, instead of the default of assuming it was earned evenly throughout the year.
In TurboTax, you would navigate to Other Tax Situations, then find the section on Underpayment Penalties. From there, you want to follow the prompts, and answer "yes" to the prompt "do you want to use the annualized method to reduce the penalties?" From there, simply enter the data on the prompts to allocate your full year income based on actual receipt date. TurboTax will then complete Form 2210 and file it with the tax return.
Illinois has a similar form, the IL-2210, which will also have you allocate your income based on when received if your income was not received evenly throughout the year in order to eliminate/minimize any penalties.
October 22, 2025
10:29 AM
The $6,000 senior deduction beginning with tax year 2025 is actually a temporary personal exemption for individuals who are 65 years or older (subject to income limitations and identification require...
See more...
The $6,000 senior deduction beginning with tax year 2025 is actually a temporary personal exemption for individuals who are 65 years or older (subject to income limitations and identification requirements).
The personal exemption is in addition to the standard deduction for 2025. For a single filer over the age of 65, the standard deduction is added to the over-65 deduction and the temporary bonus deduction.
The full amount for filing single (and not blind) would be as follows:
Standard Deduction: $15, 750
Extra Deduction for 65 and older: $2,000
Temporary senior exemption: $6,000
For a total deduction of $23,750
The full amount for filing jointly (and not blind) would be as follows:
Standard Deduction: $31,500
Extra Deduction for 65 and older: $3,200
Temporary senior exemption: $12,000
For a total deduction of $46,700
You need to consider your total income since the temporary senior exemption is limited by Adjusted Gross Income. The senior exemption of $6,000 shall be reduced (but not below zero) by 6% of the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) that exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return).
The standard deduction mentioned above will be indexed for inflation after 2025.
Add the amount you plan to withdraw from your traditional IRA to your other sources of income to produce total income. The enhanced standard deductions mentioned above (depending on your filing status) will be subtracted from your total income to produce your taxable income.
You can use this link to estimate your tax liability based on your situation and the tax brackets listed in the link: What are the 2025 tax brackets and rates (for filing federal tax returns in 2026)?
October 22, 2025
10:29 AM
The way to figure your tax liability on your traditional IRA distribution would be to figure out what your marginal income tax rate would likely be each year. You can use our Tax Calculator here. Onc...
See more...
The way to figure your tax liability on your traditional IRA distribution would be to figure out what your marginal income tax rate would likely be each year. You can use our Tax Calculator here. Once you fill it out, it will show you a federal income tax bracket.
Let's say that you fill out the form and it returns a result of 22% in the tax bracket area. You take out $10k from your traditional IRA, and have 22% withheld for federal income taxes, which is $2200. That's the calculation. If you also have a state income tax on retirement distributions, you'd want to consider a state withholding amount as well (the amount to withhold depends on your state's income tax rate(s)).
It is wise of you to consider working with your income over the next four years to maximize the senior deduction, but I want to clarify that taking an IRA distribution now does not maximize the senior deduction for you, given that you are 67 now. What it possibly would do is maximize it in the future, if doing so would then reduce your required minimum distribution to where it would put you below the $75k single/ $150k married MAGI threshold to take the full senior deduction. And that scenario would only apply if the senior tax deduction was extended past year 2028.
October 22, 2025
10:28 AM
I'll be withdrawing my RMD after my birthday in 2026, can I use the existing Uniform Lifetime Table contained on the IRS website, or do I need to wait until a 2026 version of the table has been made ...
See more...
I'll be withdrawing my RMD after my birthday in 2026, can I use the existing Uniform Lifetime Table contained on the IRS website, or do I need to wait until a 2026 version of the table has been made available? Thank you, William
October 22, 2025
10:28 AM
The conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA depends on the nature of the dollars you used to fund the traditional IRA.
If you used pre-tax dollars to fund the traditional IRA, you cannot av...
See more...
The conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA depends on the nature of the dollars you used to fund the traditional IRA.
If you used pre-tax dollars to fund the traditional IRA, you cannot avoid paying ordinary income taxes on that amount. The amount you convert will be considered taxable income in the year of conversion. You can avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty if those funds remain in the Roth account for five years and until you are past 59 ½ years of age.
If you made nondeductible contributions to the traditional IRA (i.e. paid from out of pocket money rather than being withheld from your paycheck) you may not have to pay taxes on the conversion. However, any earnings on the contributions at the time of conversion will be treated as taxable income.
October 22, 2025
10:27 AM
The growth in the 529 is still tax-free when withdrawn if used for qualifying education expenses, whereas the daughter (or grandchild, if you use a UGTMA) will probably pay 15% long term capital gain...
See more...
The growth in the 529 is still tax-free when withdrawn if used for qualifying education expenses, whereas the daughter (or grandchild, if you use a UGTMA) will probably pay 15% long term capital gains when they cash out, and may also pay yearly tax on any dividends.