What is an Annuity?

Annuities are a financial tool of varying popularity designed to help individuals plan for their future by providing a stream of income immediately (immediate annuity) or in the future (deferred annuity). The mechanics of your typical deferred annuity involve two distinct phases: the accumulation phase and the distribution phase. An immediate annuity just skips the… Continue reading What is an Annuity?

Tax Planning Now Available!

Taxes – the necessary evil that accompanies adulthood. As April 15 looms large on the calendar, many of us scramble to gather receipts, W-2s, and other financial documents in a frenzied attempt to satisfy Uncle Sam and most wonder if they’ve withheld enough to score themselves a refund.  However, there’s a smarter way to approach… Continue reading Tax Planning Now Available!

Slaying the FAFSA Dragon!

The rollout of the FAFSA for education year 2024 – 2025 had been anything but stellar, and some have experienced some real frustration completing the process.  What is going on and what do you need to know. Visit the Learning Library  

Qualified Charitable Distributions: Tax Avoidance (not evasion) for a Cause

‘Tis the season for giving, and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) stand out as a powerful tool, offering a dual benefit of supporting charitable causes while optimizing tax implications for individuals aged 70½ or older. Qualified Charitable Distributions an only be done from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and involve directing funds directly from an IRA to… Continue reading Qualified Charitable Distributions: Tax Avoidance (not evasion) for a Cause

Tax Preparation Software

In an era where technology seems to offer solutions for everything, tax preparation software has become a popular tool for many. However, while these programs are designed for convenience and efficiency, they are not foolproof.  If you choose to use tax preparation software, beware it’s still possible to get your taxes wrong.   Here are a… Continue reading Tax Preparation Software