Category: Retirement Planning

Payments made to liquidate a retired partner’s ownership interest in the partnership (other than payments for his or her share of certain partnership assets) are usually subject to the federal self-employment tax (also known as SE tax). That can amount to a large tax bite. Fortunately, there is a taxpayer-friendly exception. When it applies, this exception can exempt partner retirement payments from SE tax. If the retirement plan is properly structured, even large payments made in the years just after… Read more ›

Roth IRA and 401(k) accounts were created in 1998. Contributions to Roth accounts are taxed on the front end at ordinary tax rates when made. But withdrawals from these accounts are generally tax-free on the back end. If you began saving for your retirement before 1998, even if you subsequently started contributing to a Roth account, you’ve probably accumulated a significant nest egg in traditional (non-Roth) retirement savings vehicles. Unlike withdrawals from Roth accounts, most or all of the money… Read more ›

The IRS has announced its 2021 cost-of-living adjustments to tax amounts that might affect you. Many increased to account for inflation, but some remained at 2020 levels. As you implement 2020 year-end tax planning strategies, be sure to take these 2021 adjustments into account in your planning. Also, keep in mind that, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), annual inflation adjustments are calculated using the chained consumer price index (also known as C-CPI-U). This increases tax bracket thresholds,… Read more ›

Now that Joe Biden has been projected as the winner of the presidential election by major news outlets,* you may wonder if your federal taxes will be affected. President-elect Biden campaigned on a broad agenda, including a pledge to roll back many of President Trump’s tax policies. In response to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), Biden has promised a progressive approach to taxation, focused primarily on increasing the burden on businesses and high-income individuals. Of course, his odds… Read more ›

On July 23, Richard Morris, Director of Tax Services co-authored an article for Harness Wealth on the topic of tax planning during a time of stock market volatility. Among the topics covered are what to avoid with regards to investments and how to handle Roth IRAs. Click here to read the full article. Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell (CBM) is a professional services firm delivering tax, accounting and business advisory expertise throughout the Mid-Atlantic region from offices in Bethesda, MD and Washington, DC.   

CBM’s Director of Not-for-Profit Services Dan Weaver, Senior Vice President Judy Barnhard, and Senior Advisor Tony Cuozzo are scheduled to present at the 2020 Greater Washington Society of CPAs’ (GWSCPA) Nonprofit Symposium from Monday, December 14 through Wednesday, December 16. The Symposium is an annual two-day event that delivers networking and professional education opportunities for hundreds of financial professionals in the not-for-profit sector throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Due to COVID-19, this year’s Symposium will be held virtually. Mr…. Read more ›

With its winter recess looming before it, Congress has engaged in a flurry of activity. Most notably, it reached agreement on a massive governmentwide spending package titled the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. The legislation extends certain income tax provisions that had expired, as well as some that were due to expire at the end of 2019. Congress traditionally passes so-called “extenders” annually, but it neglected to do so for 2018. As a result, several popular breaks for both individuals… Read more ›

December 20, 2019 (Bethesda, MD & Washington, DC) – May Barnhard Investments, the fee-only financial advisory affiliate of Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell (CBM), has launched its new website, providing details about the expertise of MBI’s nine financial and investment management professionals, and an overview of the firm’s relationships with individual and institutional clients. The new May Barnhard Investments website can be accessed at www.maybarnhardinvestments.com. “When we welcomed MBI in late 2018, we wanted to enhance its visibility so clients understood… Read more ›

CBM Executive Vice President Debbie May generated $400 in donations for Mid-County United Ministries by developing an inspired lunch networking and presentation event on Thursday, October 17 featuring guest speaker Susy Elder Murphy. Murphy, owner of Debra Levy Eldercare Associates, led a presentation at Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell (CBM)’s Bethesda, MD office for retirement-aged individuals, or those nearing retirement, on financial and life decision-making at the end of one’s career. One key focus area was whether to remain in one’s… Read more ›

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released a final rule which should make it easier for smaller businesses to provide retirement plans to their employees. According to the DOL, the rule will enable more small and midsize unrelated businesses to join forces in multiple employer plans (MEPs) that provide their employees a defined contribution plan such as a 401(k) plan or a SIMPLE IRA plan. Certain self-employed individuals also can participate in MEPs. In October 2018, the DOL issued… Read more ›