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Accounting, Investment Advice

Year-end Retirement Planning Strategies

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As we come to the end of 2021, as you are making plans for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, you may want to take some time out and look at your retirement plans, too. No matter what your age, your career advancement, or where you live, it’s not too late to begin, or add to, your retirement plans.  

In fact, this is a good time to assess your progress in planning and see if there are any gaps that need to be filled. So, here are several tips on how you can do retirement planning. You need to be informed. You need to know all the retirement options available to you. Discuss your available retirement planning options through your work. Do some quick web research. Consult your financial advisor and tax advisor.

Not enough? The following are possibilities for your retirement plan: 

    1. Taxable brokerage account: These are accounts funded with after-tax dollars. There are no contribution limits. Just remember that capital gains and investment income are taxable.
    2. Tax-deferred accounts:  These include the following: Traditional, SEP, & SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s. There are contribution limits depending on the plan. Also, depending on your tax bracket a tax deduction for the year that the contribution was made may be applicable (check with your tax advisor). Don’t forget about the required minimum distributions! The IRS requires withdrawals once you reach the age of 72 if your 70th birthday is July 1, 2019, or later. Roth IRAs do not require minimum distributions.
    3. Medicare: Medicare is a benefit for seniors 65 and older; however, it still has costs to it. Medicare doesn’t cover certain medical expenses like hearing aids, vision care, dental care, and long-term care. It also has large gaps in prescription coverage. In your retirement planning, you may want to budget supplemental medical insurance that goes beyond Medicare. Medicare Advantage and Medigap policies have premium costs and copays that supplement Medicare.
    4. Consider your cash reserves: Cash reserves help ride out stock market down cycles covering expenses while allowing time for investments to hopefully recover from the downturn.
    5. It is truly not too late: Don’t be discouraged! If you are 55 years or older without a retirement plan, it is not too late. Jump on the retirement planning bandwagon. It is possible to do! 

The main point here is that even if you are older and retirement is on the horizon, you can still make smart and logical decisions for your retirement. Consult with your financial advisor and tax advisor to make the changes you need to before the New Year begins.  

 A.K. Burton, PC, can help you do your retirement planning. We have experienced staff who can prepare your retirement accounts. Call us at (301) 365-1974 for a consultation. We serve the Bethesda, Rockville, and Montgomery County, MD area. 

Financial Advice

Your Financial Advisor: Seven Reasons to be Thankful

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Thanksgiving is almost here. You’ve invited family, friends, and in-laws. The food is ready to go and it’s holiday time!

There are many reasons to be thankful: for good health, better employment, a new addition to the family, or just knowing you have made it through another year with challenges. You’re making it! Whether it’s been a great year or terrible year, we can always reflect on our lives and find something in which to be thankful.

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During the holiday season, we are all so busy wrapped up in what we’ve got going on that we overlook many of the more subtle reasons to be thankful. Let’s take a moment and be thankful for the accountant or financial advisor for your business. Here are seven reasons be thankful:

  1. Help in setting up your business: Financial advisors are experts in small business start-ups. They have the knowledge and experience in applying for LLCs (or other legal designations), creating a business plan and giving budgeting advice.
  2. Small business regulation: No business owner wants to deal with federal, state and local regulations. They are time killers and extremely frustrating. Financial advisors can update you on current regulations, labor laws and OSHA requirements. Small business accountants can relieve you of the burdens of regulatory research. You will get the list and advice on any and all regulations affecting your small business.
  3. Auditing your business: Speaking of burdens, keeping track of your income and expenses can also be agonizing. You’d rather read “War and Peace” than personally audit your business books. It’s a common feeling and understandable. Accountants bring an unbiased eye to your books. They can audit them and give you a concise report. Plus they can help you head off any accounting dangers at the pass by correcting issues and getting you on the right track.
  4. Tax savings: The IRS is constantly changing tax laws. It can be confounding, even for accountants! However, it’s our job to be on top of all changes and to apply those changes to your tax returns. Financial advisors not only know the current tax laws, but they help you legally reduce your tax bill. They may be able to save you thousands of dollars. But even if it’s a few dollars, at least you aren’t paying it to the government! That is a win no matter how much you save.
  5. Correct tax payments: Taxes. They are a pain but they have to be paid. You want to make sure you pay the right amount on time. Whether you’re self-employed or unsure if you’ve withheld enough from your paycheck, we’ve got you covered. At A.K. Burton PC, our accountants review all your pertinent information and create estimated tax payments. These estimates tell you how much to pay and when.
  6. Offload the work: Any smart business owner who has employees or subcontractors, has to offload work in order to make money and accomplish business goals. You can’t do it all yourself. Hiring accountant who specializes on your business’ financial side, gives you time to focus on all the other tasks you can never seem to get to.
  7. Buying or selling your business: You may be investigating the purchase or merger of another business. It may take your business to the next level. There are many financial aspects to consider. Your financial advisor can take you through each step and work with your attorney in buying or merging the business.

Running a successful small business is both a joy and a pain. Our financial advisors at A.K. Burton, PC can eliminate some of that pain by meeting all of your small business needs. And for that, you can be thankful. This holiday season at A.K. Burton, PC, we are thankful for our clients and serving you. Happy Thanksgiving!

A.K. Burton, PC, which serves the Washington,D.C. and Bethesda, Md area, has experienced and licensed financial advisors who can help you make sense of your small business bookkeeping. Contact us at (301) 365-1974 for more information or email info@cpa-maryland.com.