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Weekly Blog Digest - Overland Park, KS - Estate Planning

There is Still Time to Make Your IRA Gift to Charity

Unless an IRA is a Roth, the account owner must take yearly minimum required distributions starting at age 70½ and pay tax on the withdrawals. With the charitable IRA rollover, as it is called, the donation can count against the minimum required distribution they would otherwise be required to take.

A Fiscal Cliffhanger: The Federal Estate and Gift Tax is Holding On

Now that the fiscal cliff has been averted — at least temporarily – there is widespread confusion about the effect on estate planning of the 11th hour tax law passed by the Senate on New Year’s Eve, and by the House of Representatives one day later.

The Revival of the Energy Tax Credit

The American Taxpayer Relief Act extended the tax credit through 2013, making it retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012. So it applies to projects you did last year as well as those you take on this year.

Roth 401(k) Conversion Eligibility Expanded by Fiscal Cliff Deal

… The new rules basically let you convert everything in a traditional 401(k), including pre-tax salary deferrals, at any age, into a Roth 401(k). “They’re opening up in a major way the assets you hold that can be converted,” says Ed Ferrigno, vice president, Washington affairs, with the Profit Sharing Council of America.

Are There Any “Winners” in the Fiscal Cliff Deal?

They didn't get what they wanted …. But they got what they needed.

The Revival of the Energy Tax Credit - In Overland Park, KS

The American Taxpayer Relief Act extended the tax credit through 2013, making it retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012. So it applies to projects you did last year as well as those you take on this year.

The Fiscal Cliff deal seems to have something for everyone, although some will benefit more than others. If you are wondering what happened to those ever popular energy tax credits, you may be pleasantly surprised. The American Taxpayer Relief Act includes up to $500 in tax credits for certain energy-efficient home upgrades. The credit is retroactive to 2012, so if your project qualifies, you could get some money back for last year’s work.

You could get a credit against your tax bill for 10 percent of the cost of materials for insulation, exterior windows and doors that meet Energy Star standards, and certain roofing materials (metal roofs with pigmented coating, or asphalt roofs with cooling granules).

According to Forbes, here is how it works:

So if the cost is $5,000, you get the full $500 credit, except for windows, which have a sublimit of $200. Also eligible towards the $500 maximum credit are: central air conditioners ($300), heat pumps ($300), furnaces ($150) and even corn-fueled stoves ($300). A tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar, so you’re basically getting $500 towards your remodel of $5,000 or more courtesy of Uncle Sam. You claim it on Form 5696 when you file your tax return.

One big caveat: the $500 credit is the maximum you can claim for all energy efficient home improvements since 2006. So, if you’ve already taken the $500 credit, you can’t take any more. But, if you haven’t used your credit yet, or haven’t used all of it, you can still let Uncle Sam help pay to make your home more energy efficient.

While we’re on the subject, don’t forget that until 2016, homeowners who install solar, geothermal, or wind systems to generate electricity, or in some cases heat water, are eligible for a tax credit worth 30% of the cost of the system, with no upper dollar limit. There also is a tax credit for installation of a fuel cell system to generate electricity. That credit is for up to 30% of the cost, up to $500 per kilowatt of power generated. This credit is also due to expire in 2016. Learn more about those credits on the Energy Star website.

Reference: Forbes (January 3, 2013), “Fiscal Cliff Deal Helps Pay For Green Home Remodels”

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