Written by Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Services Director From maximizing tax-advantaged savings accounts to donating to charity, here are strategic tax moves to consider before year-end. Tax Day may still be months away, but there are plenty of tax-planning strategies you can consider before then to help manage your 2024 tax bill. In fact, certain tasks should not—or in some cases cannot—wait until next year, lest you miss out on potentially important tax-saving opportunities. Here are the top strategies to consider before December 31—and those you can ponder until Tax Day. Tax-planning strategies to consider by year-end Be sure to take all your required minimum distributions (RMDs). Generally, taxpayers age 73 or older must take minimum distributions from your tax-deferred retirement accounts by the end of the year. Individuals who reached RMD age in 2024 have until April 1 to take their first distribution. Maximize contributions to your workplace retirement plan First and foremost, if your employer matches contributions, be sure to contribute enough to your tax-deferred workplace retirement plan to get the full amount. consider contributing the maximum allowed—$23,000 ($30,500 if age 50 or older) in 2024 for 401(k)s and similar plans if you have the means. Not only can this help reduce your taxable income for the current year and boost your overall savings, but doing so can also be a great
As the dust settles post-election, investors are keenly assessing what the next four years might bring. Despite the policy uncertainties that accompany a unified Republican government, the economic outlook remains largely stable. Additionally, market fundamentals look strong and matter more for returns, especially over the long term. The U.S. economy continues to be a straight A student, with GDP growth above trend (3Q24: 2.8% q/q saar), full employment (October unemployment rate: 4.1%), and low inflation (September CPI: 2.4% y/y), as shown in the chart below. Consumers are maintaining their spending habits despite dissatisfaction with mortgage rates, which are higher than before the pandemic, and the price increases of the past few years. However, this confidence may be shifting, as evidenced by the Consumer Confidence Index's significant monthly increase—the largest since March 2021—rising to 108.7 in October from 99.2 in September. Notably, all five components of the index improved, indicating growing confidence in future job availability and stock market gains. This economic environment is favorable for equity markets. Declining interest rates and real wage gains are positive for consumer spending, and S&P 500 operating margins are 8% above long-term averages, showcasing the dynamism of U.S. companies. Additionally, secular trends continue to encourage corporate investment. Besides high valuations, there are few
A bunch of monsters and ghouls took over the office on Halloween, and we had the photos to prove it! The LWA Team had a blast dressing up for Halloween, but while the season may be all about tricks and treats, it’s also a reminder of the importance of community and teamwork. Events like these bring us closer together, allowing us to share laughs and enjoy our team members' creative sides. We hope your Halloween was filled with fun, family, and