Customized retirement planning strategies for business owners and individuals. Learn about 401(k)s, SEP IRAs, Defined Benefit Plans, and their tax advantages.
Can FTB return money it collected years ago? Sometimes, yes. FTB Legal Ruling 2026-02 (issued August 21, 2026) draws a sharp line between an overpayment (subject to the four-year refund statute) and an FTB overcollection (excess taken by mechanical or clerical error during involuntary collection). Overcollections can be returned even after the SOL — but…
Is IRA fraud still taxable if the money was stolen? Usually, yes. A withdrawal you were tricked into making is still a distribution to you, so the amount is taxable and a Form 1099-R follows. The IRS has waived the 60-day rollover deadline for IRA fraud victims in several private letter rulings, but the waiver…
How do the inherited IRA RMD rules work in 2026? A non-spouse beneficiary of an IRA whose owner died after 2019 generally must empty the account within 10 years — and, if the owner had already started taking RMDs, must take annual RMDs in years 1 through 9. The IRS’s temporary relief expired at the…
When is the Cycle 4 plan restatement deadline? The IRS set it at September 30, 2028. If your business sponsors a pre-approved 401(k) or profit-sharing plan, you must adopt the newly updated plan document by that date. The Cycle 4 plan restatement keeps your plan’s tax-qualified status intact. If your company offers a 401(k), profit-sharing,…
Is the IRS about to change how retirement rollovers work? Yes. The new IRS rollover guidance in Notice 2026-49 proposes four sample rollover forms, a rollover identification number to protect participant PII, and future rules that could end paper rollover checks sent to participants. If you have ever tried to move a 401(k) to an…
What is Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA), and could it lower my 401(k) tax bill? Net unrealized appreciation is a federal tax election under IRC §402(e)(4)(B) that lets you move employer stock out of a qualified retirement plan and pay ordinary income tax only on the stock’s original cost basis. The built-in gain is then taxed…
What is the new IRS Saver’s Match, and how do I get it? The savers match is a federal 50% match on up to $2,000 of your qualified retirement contributions — worth up to $1,000 per year — deposited directly into your retirement account. It starts with 2027 contributions and the first payments arrive in…
Can employers put private equity, private credit, or crypto into a 401(k) plan? Federal policy is opening the door. The Department of Labor has proposed a rule and the White House has issued an executive order that together make it easier to add 401k alternative investments to plan menus — but ERISA’s fiduciary duties still…
What are the 2026 retirement plan limits? The 401(k) elective deferral limit rises to $24,500, the age-50 catch-up to $8,000, and a new “super catch-up” lets employees aged 60–63 add $11,250. The 2026 retirement plan limits also bring a major SECURE 2.0 change: high earners must now make catch-up contributions as Roth. If you sponsor…
Can I open and manage a Trump Account online? Yes. The IRS now lets taxpayers view and submit Trump Account elections directly inside their IRS Individual Online Account using Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s). A Trump Account is a new tax-advantaged account for a child under 18 with a valid Social Security number, created by…
How does a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) compare to a state-mandated auto-IRA? A Pooled Employer Plan is a multi-employer 401(k) structure that satisfies state retirement mandates while offering meaningful advantages over state-sponsored auto-IRAs: $24,500 contribution limit (vs. $7,500 IRA), employer matching, institutional-quality investments, and fiduciary shift to the Pooled Plan Provider. For most small employers,…
What does IRS Notice 2026-34 require for defined benefit pre-approved plan Cycle 4 submissions? Notice 2026-34 publishes the 2026 Cumulative List of plan qualification changes that providers must reflect in defined benefit qualified pre-approved plan documents submitted for the fourth remedial amendment cycle (Cycle 4) — submission window August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027…
How much does a 401(k) really cost a small business? With the small business 401k tax credit under SECURE 2.0, employers with 50 or fewer workers can claim up to $5,000 per year in startup cost credits for three years — effectively making retirement plans nearly free to launch. If you own a small business…
Do high-income employees have to make Roth catch-up contributions in 2026? Yes — if your prior-year FICA wages from your employer exceeded $150,000, the SECURE 2.0 Act now requires that your Roth catchup contributions 2026 be designated as Roth (after-tax) contributions, not pre-tax. Here is everything you need to know before the January 1, 2026…
Should California businesses choose CalSavers or a 401(k)? If you have 5 or more employees in California and don’t already offer a qualified retirement plan, you must participate. The CalSavers vs 401k decision comes down to this: CalSavers meets the legal requirement with minimal effort, but a 401(k) delivers dramatically more value for your employees…
How to Open a Trump Account: The Complete 2026 Guide. Discover exactly how to navigate the new IRS Form 4547 and secure the $1,000 pilot program contribution for your child’s future. Hey everyone! If you’ve been following the news lately, you know there’s been a massive buzz around the new “One, Big, Beautiful…
How to Finally Finish Your Estate Planning 📝 Stop procrastinating on your legal documents! Discover practical, stress-free strategies to cross estate planning off your to-do list and protect your loved ones today. Let’s be real for a second: nobody actually enjoys thinking about their own mortality. It’s exactly why so many of us…
2026 Tax Season is Here, and It Brings Great News for Seniors! Discover the new enhanced deductions, EITC updates, and free resources available to help you navigate your 2026 tax return smoothly and keep more money in your pocket. Let’s be real for a second—doing taxes is rarely anyone’s favorite activity. If you’re…
New IRS Notice 2026-13: Your Complete Guide to Retirement Rollovers! The IRS just updated the rules for moving your retirement savings. Whether you’re switching jobs or facing an emergency, these “Safe Harbor” changes affect your taxes and your future. Let’s dive into what’s new! Have you ever felt that mixture of excitement and pure…
How will the Social Security Fairness Act change your tax return this year? If you’re one of the 2.8 million beneficiaries receiving a public pension, you might be looking at a much larger monthly check—and a significant retroactive payment. Learn how to navigate these changes and maximize your new tax deductions! Let’s be real…
Notice 2025-60: Is Your Retirement Plan Ready for the 2025 Required Amendments? Keeping up with IRS regulations can feel like a full-time job in itself. This guide breaks down the latest Required Amendments List (RA List) to help you navigate deadlines and ensure your 401(a) or 403(b) plan remains compliant without the stress. Have…
New Savings Opportunity for Kids? Discover how “Trump Accounts” (Section 530A) work, from the $1,000 government contribution to tax-free employer matches, and how you can start one for your child. Let’s be real for a second—saving for our kids’ future is one of those things we know we should do, but it can feel…
Worried your retirement savings will hurt your child’s financial aid? You’re not alone. We break down the FAFSA rules, the 529 plan dilemma, and the new game-changing law that could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Let’s talk about something that causes a *ton* of stress for parents. It’s that constant financial tug…
Confused by annuity proposals? This guide breaks down the “magic number” that powers your guaranteed retirement paycheck, using a real $100k example. Let’s be honest, for most of us, seeing an “annuity proposal” is about as exciting as reading a car’s engine manual. It’s filled with jargon, confusing tables, and numbers that don’t always…
Do retirees need to file taxes? You’ve worked your whole life, and now you’re wondering if you can finally ditch the tax paperwork. We’re breaking down the rules and the expert advice you can’t afford to ignore. Ah, retirement! The golden years, filled with travel, hobbies, and family… and hopefully, a lot less paperwork….
Could one medical crisis wipe out your entire life’s savings? It’s a terrifying thought, but the staggering cost of long-term care makes it a reality for many. This article explores a powerful legal tool, the Medicaid Trust, designed to protect your assets. There’s a fear that keeps a lot of us up at night….
Finding the Best Small Business Retirement Plan? As a business owner, are you maximizing your retirement savings *and* tax deductions? This guide breaks down the Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA to help you choose the perfect fit. If you’re a business owner, you are a master of the hustle. You build,…
Want to Protect Your U.S. Assets? This guide reveals the legal “landmine” many families face and how a simple document, the Living Trust, can help you avoid it. If you own any assets in the United States—a home, a business, or even just a bank account—you’re sitting on what could be a legal landmine…
Is Your 401(k) a Scam? We’re tackling the big doubt: “Why save now just to pay huge taxes later?” Discover the three powerful reasons why tax deferral is one of the greatest wealth-building tools you have. Let’s talk about something that I’m sure has crossed your mind. You’re doing the right thing, diligently…
Health Savings Account (HSA): The Ultimate Guide. Discover how this powerful account beats an IRA with triple tax benefits and can even be used to fund your long-term care insurance! We all worry about the future, right? Aside from retirement, one of the biggest, scariest question marks is healthcare. We hear about the…
