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I have two balanced mutual funds in taxable accounts that have done well but have taxable distributions each year.  What are good ways to handle these funds now that I am retired?  I have considered ... See more...
I have two balanced mutual funds in taxable accounts that have done well but have taxable distributions each year.  What are good ways to handle these funds now that I am retired?  I have considered selling them and paying capital gains, opening a charitable distribution account, or taking distributions each year and paying the tax as I go, as I have been doing for several years.
I'm attempting to amend my 2024 federal/state returns to account for an incorrect IRA distribution.  Both returns were accepted and processed some time ago. Part of the IRA distribution was nontaxab... See more...
I'm attempting to amend my 2024 federal/state returns to account for an incorrect IRA distribution.  Both returns were accepted and processed some time ago. Part of the IRA distribution was nontaxable, but on the original return I listed it as all taxable.  The correction should result in a considerable reduction in gross income.  However after correcting the relevant 1099R input, there's no change in income or taxes listed in the final 1040X summary.   Any ideas what's wrong with my process or the software?
My question has to do with tax on SS, so will ask here...   So if I'm understanding the bill that was passed, there is no tax on Social Security? Or is that only for certain incomes? Also, will "no... See more...
My question has to do with tax on SS, so will ask here...   So if I'm understanding the bill that was passed, there is no tax on Social Security? Or is that only for certain incomes? Also, will "no tax" be retroactive to the beginning of 2025 or when does that start? I am currently having taxes taken out of my SS, but wondering if I can cancel this...   Thanks
The standard Social Security Tax rules have not changed from the past few years:   Joint filers may pay tax on up to 50% of your Social Security benefits if your combined income is between $32,00... See more...
The standard Social Security Tax rules have not changed from the past few years:   Joint filers may pay tax on up to 50% of your Social Security benefits if your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000. You may pay tax on up to 85% of your benefits if your combined income exceeds $44,000.
When it comes to inheritance, inherited funds are not considered taxable income on your federal tax return. However, some individual states impose inheritance taxes, so it’s important to check the sp... See more...
When it comes to inheritance, inherited funds are not considered taxable income on your federal tax return. However, some individual states impose inheritance taxes, so it’s important to check the specific tax laws in your state. For more information about inheritance taxes and estate planning at the state level, you can refer to this link: What Is the Inheritance Tax?. After inheriting funds, if you decide to invest them, any earnings generated from those investments (such as interest, dividends, or capital gains) may be taxable. However, there are ways to minimize or avoid taxation on investment earnings by utilizing tax-advantaged options such as: Municipal Bonds: Interest income is typically tax-free at the federal level, and may also be tax-free at the state level. Roth IRAs: Earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals during retirement are tax-free, provided you meet the requirements for qualified withdrawals. 529 Plans: Earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses. For additional details on different types of investments and their tax consequences, visit: Do You Pay Taxes on Investments?.   @lkroseto  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”
@Mark466 - I understand being hesitant.  The taxable portion of Social Security benefits range from 0% up to 85% depending on your income from sources outside of Social Security.  You can use this IR... See more...
@Mark466 - I understand being hesitant.  The taxable portion of Social Security benefits range from 0% up to 85% depending on your income from sources outside of Social Security.  You can use this IRS worksheet to help determine how much of your Social Security may be taxable:  A Quick Way To Check if Your Benefits May Be Taxable    You definitely need to include at least an estimated Social Security amount when you do the calculators mentioned in my original response.  Omitting Social Security would impact the result from the calculator.
I saw a statement from you guys about not supporting Turbo Tax for 2025 on Windows 10. I can't update to Windows 11 as I don't have a TPM 2.0 chip. I plan to live on Windows 10 for the foreseeable fu... See more...
I saw a statement from you guys about not supporting Turbo Tax for 2025 on Windows 10. I can't update to Windows 11 as I don't have a TPM 2.0 chip. I plan to live on Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. I know a lot of others in the same boat.   Please reconsider your decision so that I don't have to look at one of your competitors for a solution.
I understand the deadline to convert. Is converting treated different different than withdrawal from a traditional IRA. You have 60 days to repay without being taxed. Is that not the same on a conver... See more...
I understand the deadline to convert. Is converting treated different different than withdrawal from a traditional IRA. You have 60 days to repay without being taxed. Is that not the same on a conversion withdrawal? You do or do not have 60 days? 
Turbotax can't help with this.   For ETFs, CEFs etc you can normally find tax information on the fund website which would show the % of the income which is qualified   Generally individual stocks... See more...
Turbotax can't help with this.   For ETFs, CEFs etc you can normally find tax information on the fund website which would show the % of the income which is qualified   Generally individual stocks are qualified (provided certain holding period requirements are met) - key exceptions are REITs, Limited Partnerships, BDCs etc.   See following for some guidance on holding periods.  There are probably other websites that provide more information https://www.fidelity.com/tax-information/tax-topics/qualified-dividends   This similar question on reddit may be helpful; someone suggests checking payout history on dividend.com which shows whether it's qualified or not, if you can make it thru the ads. https://www.reddit.com/r/dividends/comments/12brgzm/is_there_any_easy_way_to_figure_out_if_a_stock/  
No, you cannot claim the home as a rental for the full year 2025 if you only started renting in November. You can only claim rental expenses and depreciation for the portion of the year the property ... See more...
No, you cannot claim the home as a rental for the full year 2025 if you only started renting in November. You can only claim rental expenses and depreciation for the portion of the year the property was actually available for rent/placed in service.   The deductibility of your "upgrades" depends on whether the IRS classifies them as Repairs or Capital Improvements and when the work was done.   Deductible Repairs: These are expenses that maintain the property but don’t add significant value. eg: painting, fixing plumbing issues. You can deduct these in 2025, even if done before the rental started, as long as they were made to prepare the property for rental.   Capital improvements: These are upgrades that add value, extend the life of the asset. eg. new roof, HVAC, remodel. These must be capitalized and depreciated over 27.5 years for residential rental property.   @mpetrakis88 Thanks for the question!!  
You should still file a joint return.   If you file married filing separately, ALL of her SS will be taxable.     If you are legally married at the end of 2025 your filing choices are married fil... See more...
You should still file a joint return.   If you file married filing separately, ALL of her SS will be taxable.     If you are legally married at the end of 2025 your filing choices are married filing jointly or married filing separately when you prepare your 2025 return next year.   Married Filing Jointly is usually better, even if one spouse had little or no income. When you file a joint return, you and your spouse will get the married filing jointly standard deduction of $31,500 (+ $1600 for each spouse 65 or older)  for 2025. You are eligible for more credits including education credits, earned income credit, child and dependent care credit, and a larger income limit to receive the child tax credit.    If you choose to file married filing separately, both spouses have to file the same way—either you both itemize or you both use standard deduction. Your tax rate will be higher than on a joint return.    Some of the special rules for filing separately include: you cannot get earned income credit, education credits, adoption credits, or deductions for student loan interest. A higher percent of your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Your limit for SALT (state and local taxes and sales tax) will be only $5000 per spouse. In many cases you will not be able to take the child and dependent care credit. The amount you can contribute to a retirement account will be affected. If you live in a community property state, you will be required to provide additional information regarding your spouse’s income. ( Community property states:  AZ, CA, ID, LA, NV, NM, TX, WA, WI)    If  you are using online TurboTax to prepare your returns, you will need to prepare two separate returns and pay twice since with online, you get one return per fee.     https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/should-you-and-your-spouse-file-taxes-jointly-or-separately/L7gyjnqyM?srsltid=AfmBOopGqCNexowW0pYgvsf7ycIkrx4VjO_63UXv6vSnfu3UEGQiKQTh   https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/income/getting-married-mean-taxes/L2RgmagpE_US_en_US?uid=m69on7t0  
Oh, I love this question! How fun to daydream. I would love to retire near the beach or even on an island, like St. Thomas. Nothing better to enjoy the warm weather, soft sand, and great drinks after... See more...
Oh, I love this question! How fun to daydream. I would love to retire near the beach or even on an island, like St. Thomas. Nothing better to enjoy the warm weather, soft sand, and great drinks after a lifetime of hard work! 
@Engineer101  Namaste  Engineer ji   Thankyou for responding to my questions. Since your spouse is on a non-dependent visa ( F-1) and assuming that she has not yet completed the five year ( usu... See more...
@Engineer101  Namaste  Engineer ji   Thankyou for responding to my questions. Since your spouse is on a non-dependent visa ( F-1) and assuming that she has not yet completed the five year ( usual)  exempt status, she is NRA.  Thus when you  jointly ask for her to be treated as a resident ( for the benefit of being able to use MFJ standard deduction ), her world income becomes taxable to the US.  This probably is no burden since her income is probably only from OPT/EAD. Generally  earnings  during student  training (/ inclu. residency for med. grads) etc. is immune from FICA . Her deciding/ requesting to be treated as a  tax resident does not change her "training" / student status.  However, if she gives up her F visa and changes to a dependent visa like H-2/4 etc. she will be no longer immune  from FICA contribution.   My ref is -->  Student FICA exception | Internal Revenue Service   Does this make sense ?   Is there more I can do for you? Namaste ji
My company 401K plan states that for amounts rolled into the 401K from other retirement accounts, if those rollover amounts are requested to be withdrawn from the 401K, they can be withdrawn at any t... See more...
My company 401K plan states that for amounts rolled into the 401K from other retirement accounts, if those rollover amounts are requested to be withdrawn from the 401K, they can be withdrawn at any time, i.e. it is not a hardship withdrawal. Do you know why this is the case? And does this standard withdrawal hold regardless of the type of funds rolled in (pre-tax, post-tax, Roth)? And even though a standard withdrawal is allowed, for those under 59 1/2 does the 10% early withdrawal penalty still apply? Are both principal and earnings taxable income, or does that depend on the type of funds rolled into the 401K?
My wife is going to take early social security next year for health reasons. I will continue working. At the end of the year should I still file jointly or is there better options? Don't want to have... See more...
My wife is going to take early social security next year for health reasons. I will continue working. At the end of the year should I still file jointly or is there better options? Don't want to have to pay taxes on her SS at the end of year.
I am currently enrolled in the marketplace for health insurance. If I withdraw funds from my Roth IRA, will it be considered part of my total annual income and potentially increase my taxable income?
At age 62, you are both in an excellent spot to consider conversions from your traditional IRAs to your Roth IRAs. Doing this will reduce your future Required Minimum Distributions and possibly the a... See more...
At age 62, you are both in an excellent spot to consider conversions from your traditional IRAs to your Roth IRAs. Doing this will reduce your future Required Minimum Distributions and possibly the amount of social security benefits that are taxable in your future.    I suggest that you figure out what tax bracket you will likely be in for tax year 2025, and then convert enough from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA to use up that entire bracket, if it's a low bracket like 10 or 12%. If it's higher than that, you need to consider what tax bracket you might be in at age 70 and at age 73. If your tax bracket at age 70 or age 73 will already be low even with RMDs and social security, then it may not be worth it to do a conversion now. You can use this tax calculator to estimate your taxable income. Compare that income with the tax brackets shown here.    Let's say that you fill out the tax calculator and it returns a result of $50k of taxable income for 2025. Based on the married filing jointly 2025 tax bracket table, you'd land in the 12% tax bracket. Since the 12% bracket for married filing jointly goes up to $96,950, you could consider converting $46,950, and your tax on that would be relatively low at 12%.   You're asking the right questions now to have a better tax outcome for the future. Well done!