May is 529 Month. As college costs rise, learn five practical ways to maximize your plan’s tax benefits, flexibility and growth potential to prepare for the future.
Concerned about overfunding your 529 plan? Discover the strategic flexibility of modern 529 accounts. From tax-free Roth IRA transfers to building a multi-generational educational legacy, learn how to maximize your unused education savings for long-term wealth building.
Today, 529 plans offer flexible, tax-advantaged savings beyond traditional college. Recent updates expand their use to K-12 tuition, vocational training and the option to transfer unused funds to a Roth IRA. Our Bill Cass explains the ways to optimize the benefits of 529 savings plans.
Claiming Social Security is one of the most critical financial decisions you will make, serving as a significant factor in determining your financial success in retirement. You must consider several variables: Does it make sense to claim benefits early to improve current cash flow and avoid tapping into other accounts?
Reaching age milestones triggers critical financial and tax-planning actions. This guide explores how specific ages impact decisions regarding Medicare, Social Security, charitable giving and retirement withdrawals, helping you navigate these milestones to optimize your long-term wealth strategy.
With policy changes creating more access to retirement savings plans, more workers are saving for the future. According to the Investment Company Institute, nearly 75% of households own some form of tax-advantaged retirement account such as a 401(k) or IRA.
Focusing on tax planning year-round can significantly improve your financial situation. By reviewing your recently filed 1040 form, you can uncover valuable opportunities to optimize investments, maximize deductions and strategically plan for retirement, ensuring long-term financial health and tax efficiency.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces enhanced tax benefits but adds significant complexity. Our Bill Cass explains why strategic planning around key income thresholds is critical to maximize deductions and ensure tax-efficient financial outcomes.
Leveraging 529 plans and community support can significantly boost college savings. These plans offer potential tax benefits and flexibility. Our Bill Cass explains that involvement from family and friends can provide additional resources and motivation.
As tax law changes from the OBBBA take effect, taxpayers may want to evaluate their financial plans. Our Bill Cass shares some essential strategies—including Roth conversions that may help taxpayers optimize savings.
A SEP IRA offers small businesses and sole proprietors a flexible, tax advantaged way to fund 2025 retirement savings. With high contribution limits, simplified administration and deadlines extending through tax filing, it can provide a practical solution for boosting long term financial security.
The OBBBA expands Section 1202 benefits, allowing certain C-corp business owners to exclude significant capital gains. This complex provision requires specific holding periods and asset tests, making professional guidance essential to maximizing these tax savings.
Tax reform in 2017 reduced the statutory tax rate for corporations from 35% to 21%. As a result, lawmakers had to address taxes paid by noncorporate business owners who are considered “pass-through” entities for purposes of income taxation.
Each year over 150 million tax returns are filed. For married couples, the overwhelming majority will choose to file joint tax returns. For most households, this makes sense considering the advantageous nature of tax brackets applying to joint returns
2025 brought new tax policy changes. Prepare early to understand deductions, charitable giving and retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass explains how organizing documents and consulting an advisor can optimize your filing, ensuring a smoother process.
Estate planning often sounds like something only wealthy families need to worry about. The federal estate tax exemption increased in 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—now shielding estates under $15 million for individuals and $30 million for married couples.
The OBBBA brings 10 tax changes for 2026. Some provisions benefit taxpayers while others impose new restrictions. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights.
Major tax legislation passed in 2025 represents the most sweeping changes to the tax code since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017. In addition to extending current tax brackets and rates and introducing new tax deductions, the law creates new savings accounts for minors known as Trump Accounts.
In 2026 new tax deductions and inflation adjustments impact tax brackets, rates and contribution limits. Our Bill Cass talks about what is changing in 2026 and shares planning considerations.
Many beneficiaries who inherited retirement accounts after 2019 must begin taking required minimum distributions in 2025 under the SECURE Act's 10-year rule. Our Bill Cass notes that heirs should plan distribution strategies based on their individual tax situations.
Signed into law in 2022, SECURE 2.0 legislation pursued many of the key themes of the original SECURE Act from 2019, including expanding access to retirement accounts and promoting plan participation.
The Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced key figures for 2026. After several years of above-average cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, beneficiaries will receive a slight increase in the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in 2026 based on the current inflation environment.
This year, Americans will give more than $500 billion to charity, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. While meeting philanthropic goals is important for donors, these gifts may also provide valuable tax benefits.
As year-end approaches, it’s a good idea for taxpayers to get a sense of their projected income for the year. This can drive important decisions on whether it might make sense to reduce or increase income (if possible) based on current circumstances.
Review investments, estimate income, maximize retirement savings and consider charitable donations are among many year-end planning ideas. Our Bill Cass shares a helpful checklist to use as a guide when planning.
The centerpiece of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is the extension of current income tax rates and brackets that were due to expire at the end of the year.
Medicare open enrollment, which is underway and runs until December 7, allows individuals to change or sign up for plans, potentially saving money and/or improving their coverage. Our Bill Cass shares the key things you need to know.
As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the lifetime exclusion for gifts and estates will increase permanently to $15 million next year with annual inflation adjustments to follow.
Social Security is a key component of a comprehensive retirement income plan. As a result, making the right decisions around claiming benefits is critical for long-term success in retirement. Married couples in particular need to think carefully about how to best access benefits based on their individual needs and circumstances.
Medicare provides health coverage for more than 60 million individuals. Understanding the details about enrollment periods and plan coverage is critical to getting the right plan for retirement. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights of the program.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) solidifies the current tax rate schedule, introduces new tax changes for individuals and businesses, and offers opportunities tax-smart strategies. Our Bill Cass shares some planning considerations for 2025 and beyond.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act offers valuable tax benefits specifically for businesses. Our Bill Cass discusses the highlights of the new law and how business owners may benefit.
Packing for a child heading off to college? Don’t forget the legal documents.
For many students, high school is about preparing for college. Our Bill Cass reviews a four-year plan with action items for both parents and students.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduces significant changes to the federal student loan system. The legislation aims to simplify repayment options, adjust borrowing limits and modify the structure of educational financing.
The new US tax law raises the SALT deduction cap and adds a new deduction for seniors.
Asset protection is important to protect assets from a lawsuit, civil claims or bankruptcy, and is often associated with high-net-worth individuals, business owners or professions that are high-risk, such as medical providers.
As tax policy discussions continue on Capitol Hill, the Senate Finance Committee recently released its version of the tax bill that would avoid the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
It's important to consider non-hardship 401(k) withdrawals carefully. Our Bill Cass explains why individuals should check plan eligibility and consider asset protection and tax implications.
The US 2025 tax bill enhances certain deductions and includes provisions for business growth and development. Our Bill Cass shares the highlights of what is being debated on Capitol Hill and the impact on business owners.
The House passed a comprehensive tax bill to avoid an expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of the year.
529 plans offer tax-free savings for a variety of education expenses, including K-12 tuition, vocational training and apprenticeships. Our Bill Cass discusses the trends in 529 savings plans.
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
529 plans provide tax benefits, estate planning advantages, and flexible education savings. Our Bill Cass explains how 529 plans can be part of an estate planning strategy.
The federal government recently resumed student loan collections after a multi-year pause. This affects millions of borrowers who have been in forbearance since March 2020. Our Bill Cass outlines some options for borrowers in default.
Businesses may face challenges but there are also a number of tax-smart strategies that can help mitigate tax liability and enhance efficiency. Our Bill Cass discusses several tax-smart strategies to consider.
Tax filing season may be over for many, but tax planning is an important focus year-round. Consider post-tax season strategies including optimizing deductions or adjusting retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass shares some tax planning ideas to consider.
Navigating market volatility can be challenging for investors. Our Bill Cass shares several tax planning strategies to consider.
Taxpayers plan to use their tax refunds for essentials and debt repayment, as well as savings strategies. Bill Cass shares ideas and strategies to consider this year.
Social Security faces funding issues by 2035, but major changes to the program are unlikely in the near term.
