Taxes

Taxes

A better understanding of tax strategies creates more opportunities to reduce your overall tax burden. We work to evaluate all forms of income, from investments to Social Security as well as all the options therein to defer, plan and in any way mitigate the implications of tax. We even coordinate with your CPA to make the process as seamless as possible.

Tax can become an unseen hurdle between you and your financial goals, so our tax-conscious approach can help you reach those goals faster.

What's happening in your life today?

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, it may be time to speak with us about one of the tax services above.

• Are you concerned about any changes in legislation that might affect your tax obligations?
• If tax season is approaching, do you have everything that you need?
• Are you facing any audits or unexpected tax bills?
• Are you inheriting wealth or planning for a family estate transition that could be affected by tax loss?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Deferring taxable income a good idea?

There is no easy answer when it comes to whether or not deferring taxable income is a good idea, as the decision depends on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, though, deferring income can be a smart move if you anticipate that your tax bracket will be lower in the future or if you expect to have significant deductions in the year in which you plan to claim the income. On the other hand, if you believe that your current tax bracket will be lower than it will be in future years, then it may make more sense to claim the income in the year it was earned.

Do I have to pay taxes on Social Security after full retirement age?

No, you do not have to pay taxes on Social Security after full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age (which varies depending on your year of birth), you can start receiving Social Security benefits without having to pay income tax on them. However, if you continue to work after reaching full retirement age, you may have to pay taxes on some of your Social Security benefits.

How do I avoid paying tax on dividends?

There are a few ways to avoid paying tax on dividends, the most common of which is to hold the stock for more than one year. In order to be eligible for the long-term capital gains tax rate, you must hold the stock for more than one year. This rate is lower than the regular income tax rate, so it can be beneficial to wait before selling stocks that pay dividends. Another way to avoid paying dividend taxes is by investing in a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). With a DRIP, you can automatically reinvest your dividends without having to pay taxes on them.

What can I do to avoid paying capital gains tax?

There are a few things you can do in order to avoid paying capital gains tax. One is to invest in a tax-exempt account, like a Roth IRA or 401k. You can also donate appreciated stock to charity, which will allow you to deduct the fair market value of the stock from your taxable income. Finally, you can keep track of your cost basis when selling investments, so that you only pay taxes on the capital gain (the difference between the sale price and your purchase price).

Contact Us for All Your Tax Planning Needs

Why FORM Wealth?

At FORM Wealth, we not only seek to help you answer the question, can I retire, but just as importantly, walk alongside you to help you navigate what’s next and your pursuit of living a better life. We make it our top priority to understand your unique position and to get to know you as an individual. We want to understand what is most important to you, and to help you design a customized savings plan to help you achieve that dream. We stand by you every step of the way and always put your best interest first. The first step is a simple introductory meeting to get to know one another. Don't wait, reach out to us today. We can't wait to get to know you!