You can still lower your tax bill with a ‘spousal IRA’ contribution

10’000 Hours | Digitalvision | Getty Images There’s still time to lower your 2023 tax bill or boost your refund with a lesser-known retirement savings strategy for married couples. One requirement for individual retirement account contributions is “earned income,” such as wages or salary from a job or self-employment earnings. But there’s an exception for … Read more

How to know if you’re withholding enough taxes from your paycheck

Witthaya Prasongsin | Moment | Getty Images If your tax refund or bill is bigger than expected, it could be time to adjust your paycheck withholding — and a simple calculation could help, experts say.      Typically, you get a refund when you overpay taxes throughout the year, and you owe money when you don’t pay … Read more

Here’s what to know about the first bitcoin ETFs

Recep-bg | E+ | Getty Images The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday approved the first U.S. spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds. But experts urge caution before piling into the long-awaited ETFs. The agency signed off on 11 bitcoin ETF applications, including funds from BlackRock, Fidelity, Ark Invest, WisdomTree and Grayscale. The new investment provides … Read more

Here’s what to know about 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers for 2024

Nancy Ney | Photodisc | Getty Images The new year has ushered in a big change to 529 college savings plans, which has made the accounts more attractive to some investors. But the adjustment may have unexpected downsides, experts say. Starting in 2024, families can roll unused 529 plan funds to the account beneficiary’s Roth … Read more

You can still lower your 2023 tax bill with these last-minute moves

The year-end is quickly approaching, but there’s still a chance to reduce your 2023 tax bill or boost your refund with some last-minute moves, experts say. Dec. 31 is the deadline for many tax-saving opportunities, which leaves limited time to take action. “It’s a little late to be super strategic,” but there’s still some “low-hanging … Read more

Why Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract and deferred income is risky

Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels, pitches during a game in Anaheim, California, on July 6, 2021. Daniel Shirey | Major League Baseball | Getty Images Shohei Ohtani made history this week with a 10-year, $700 million contract to play for Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. The deal’s unique payout structure, however, … Read more

Here’s how to harvest long-term capital gains at 0% for 2023

Westend61 | Westend61 | Getty Images If the current stock market rally added profits to your portfolio, a lesser-known strategy could help rebalance your assets or reduce future taxes. The strategy, known as tax-gain harvesting, allows you to leverage lower earning years by strategically selling profitable brokerage account assets. “Tax gain harvesting is like a … Read more

Here’s where to invest your cash to save on taxes in 2024

Eric Audras | PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections | Getty Images If you’ve poured cash into money market mutual funds, you could see a higher 2023 tax bill in April. But other investments could reduce your 2024 taxes, experts say. Investors and institutions have funneled cash into money market funds amid rising interest rates, and balances … Read more

Money market funds may deliver a surprise tax bill amid higher yields

If you funneled cash into money market mutual funds in 2023 amid rising interest rates, you may have a surprise tax bill in April, experts say. Investors and institutions have piled $5.84 trillion into money market mutual funds, as of Nov. 29, according to the Investment Company Institute, and many funds are paying well over … Read more