Blog Posts

By Marc C. Shaffer

I recently embarked on a journey to purchase a new vehicle, and the new method I tried was a game-changer. Instead of going the traditional dealership route, I utilized a refreshing new approach with Your Car Dog, a car buying agent recommended by a referral partner. The experience was nothing short of wonderful, and I’m eager to share my story.

Many people often have outsized positions due to appreciation and large pre-tax retirement accounts. You may be looking to reduce portfolio risk and protect gains now, while also aiming to reduce your future income tax burden. Roth conversions and harvesting capital gains are two effective financial strategies that can achieve these goals; however, they accelerate income tax costs. There are current tax consequences associated with each strategy, and the issue becomes whether to accelerate ordinary income, capital gains, or a combination thereof.

By Marc C. Shaffer

A triple tax-advantaged account that many overlook, a Health Savings Account (HSA) is an account for individuals with high deductibles to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to cover qualified medical expenses. If you are able to cover most medical expenses out of pocket, a high deductible health insurance plan may work for you while allowing you to invest through your HSA for tax-free growth.*

Many people like rental income because it seems passive and simple, until it isn’t so passive … or simple! Using this checklist, you may better understand the challenges and nuances that exist with owning a rental property. Whether it’s landlord responsibilities and managing risk, or investment and tax/estate concerns, there's a lot to consider. This checklist covers some key issues you must consider when owning a rental property, such as:

For many, the prospect of turning their property into a source of rental income is very exciting. However, that excitement can turn to confusion when it comes to taxes. This flowchart can help you have a better understanding of how taxes play a role in renting out your property.