Retirement accounts are designed to help make the transition between working and retiring easier. They provide a steady stream of income for retirees who are suddenly without take-home pay for the first time in their lives. Unlike other assets your clients may have, these accounts require extra planning and consideration since retirement account distributions are subject to income tax for the account owner and the…
Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Business
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, and small businesses are not immune from the threats posed by cybercriminals. Don’t be complacent because your business is small: Almost half of all cyberattacks in the U.S. are directed at small businesses. In recognition of this serious problem, in August 2018, President Trump signed into law the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act, requiring the federal government to…
Breaking News: State Bills Introduced in Massachusetts to Change the Estate Tax
In an effort to provide you with the latest estate planning news – Two bills were introduced to the Massachusetts State Senate which, if enacted, will change the Massachusetts Estate Tax laws. The first bill, S.1631, entitled “An Act to Mitigate Snowbird Relocation”, would increase the state estate tax exemption from the current $1 million to $2 million. Additionally, the tax rates are to be…
Don’t Allow New Accounts to Catch Clients Unaware
As a financial or tax professional, what could be more important than the financial health of your clients? As you know, a comprehensive trust-centered estate plan allows your clients to provide for loved ones, affording them immense peace of mind. But, estate planning is not a one-time event since trust-centered estate plans require careful supervision and regular reviews to function properly. Accordingly, it’s crucial…
Impact of Tax Reform on Small Businesses
Now that it’s tax season, you may be concerned how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in December 2017, will impact your small business. The reforms represent the most sweeping tax overhaul in 30 years and could have a positive impact on your business’s bottom line—but they may have left you feeling a little confused. Here are some of the most important changes. Qualified…
Planning for Individuals and Couples Without Children
How to Tailor the Conversation to Their Goals Professionals often have a clear path to starting the estate planning discussion when their clients have children, as many estate planning discussions center around clients’ objectives for passing their wealth, properties, and legacy to the next generation. Because of this traditional emphasis on the next generation, individuals and couples without children can easily arrive at the conclusion…
Legalized Marijuana: What Every Employer Needs to Know
The marijuana industry is huge and growing. In 2017, legal marijuana was a $1.5 billion industry in Colorado alone according to data from the Colorado Department of Revenue, and it has been identified by many analysts as one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. To date, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized either medical marijuana or recreational marijuana, or,…
Insights to Protect Your Business Owner Clients
Building a business is often an all-consuming quest. Your entrepreneurial clients have spent years, maybe decades, fighting past obstacles to make their dreams a reality. It’s easy for founders to find themselves so absorbed that they forget about the “outside” world. This short sightedness can harm their relationships and health, in the worst cases. It has other consequences, too. Founders often neglect to deal with…
Taking Full Advantage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Key Points to Discuss With Your Clients Like all things, tax laws are constantly changing. An important part of serving your clients is responding quickly and strategically to new developments in the tax law landscape. But at the same time, a knee-jerk reaction is rarely the best course of action—often resulting in unforeseen complications in the future. The best decisions are made by professional teams…
Which Asset Protection Strategies Are Right for Your Clients?
How You Can Keep Legal Claims From Threatening Their Property? Most of us do not expect to be sued. However, lawsuits are filed every day the courthouses are open. If your clients’ estate plans don’t include adequate asset protection, they could end up losing a substantial amount of their wealth in the event of a claim – even a “frivolous” one. It’s well worth talking…