How Bunching Expenses Can Enable Taxpayers to Continue to Itemize

In response to the significant changes to the tax deduction rules under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), many taxpayers are searching for ways to recover some of the tax benefits associated with itemizing deductible expenses that have been eliminated. Taxpayers who were previously able to lower their tax bills by itemizing may want to consider using a “bunching” strategy, which generally means either accelerating or deferring deductible expenses so that more of these expenses fall in a single tax year rather than in multiple tax years.

Video: A Look at Recent Market Volatility

What should you make of recent ups and downs in the stock market? Here’s helpful context on volatility and expected returns.

While market volatility can be nerve-racking for investors, reacting emotionally and changing long-term investment strategies in response to short-term declines could prove more harmful than helpful. By adhering to a well-thoughtout investment plan, ideally agreed upon in advance of periods of volatility, investors may be better able to remain calm during periods of short-term uncertainty.

#AquilaWealth Newsletter -- No. 1 #IRA Mistake, Productivity Recommendation, and Jet Lag

I like to send out a newsletter to my clients and friends every-other week on Thursdays at 2 p.m. PT. I typically include 3 articles with my commentary around the topic of personal finance. Here are the ones I like this week, and I think you will too. (Feel free to email me at eric@aquilawealth.com if you want to be added to my email newsletter list.)

#1 The No. 1 IRA mistake

#2 Productivity Recommendation: Take the Kolbe A™ Index/Instinct Test

#3 The Scientific Secrets to Preventing Jet Lag

The #Fiduciary Rule is Dead

But Clients Should Ask Their Advisor This Simple Yes or No Question

Over the past year, investors have been receiving notifications about the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule that would have impacted financial advisors and their clients. Simply stated, the DOL’s new “fiduciary duty” standard would have required financial professionals who receive compensation for transactions to act in their client’s “best interest.”

#Hurricanes and Your Relief Efforts #Florence

Giving is Not Just About Making a Donation – You Make a Difference

There are many opportunities to support disaster-recovery efforts and help people whose lives have been upended by Hurricane Florence, but you should be careful. It's also prime time for scam artists to take advantage of your generosity and steal your money or even your identity. Take these steps to help you choose a charity:

Countdown to Retirement: Strategies for Saving in Your 50s #retirement #aquilawealth

Strategies for saving in your 50s

Many retirees today are redefining the “golden years.” Forget about endless days of leisure. Retirees seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine retirement, will retirees be able to finance their plans? Today, many people age 50 and older have not begun to save for retirement or have yet to accumulate sufficient funds.

Helping Your Heirs While Helping Others via the Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) #giving

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)

A charitable remainder trust (CRT) can be a highly effective financial and estate planning tool. The CRT can allow you to: avoid capital gains taxes on highly appreciated assets, however when income is distributed to the income beneficiaries it is taxable; receive an income stream based on the full, fair market value (FMV) of those assets; receive an immediate charitable deduction; and ultimately benefit the charity(ies) of your choice.

How Small Businesses Can Take Advantage of Tax Reform #TCJA

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 created substantial new tax breaks for companies of all sizes, but owners of smaller businesses in particular may still be reviewing how much their tax burden could change under the new legislation. The deductions individual business owners can take advantage of and the value of these tax breaks will vary considerably depending on the nature of their business activities, their income levels, and other factors that they may be able to adjust to maximize their tax benefits.