Before we dig into the “year in review,” we’d like to mention a provision that was written in to the CARES Act regarding Donations. Beginning in 2020, there will be an “above the line” charitable deduction (maximum $300) that you will be able to take, even if you don’t itemize. So, save your receipts this year, even if you don’t itemize, those donations will reduce your 2020 tax liability.

This week we would normally be seeing the tax deadline hit and the last minute rush of filers. With the deadline extended the filing season will be drawn out over three more months, but we still encourage you to finalize your return so you can plan accordingly for 2020. Once your return is done you should take time to review the returns and see what the numbers are telling you. Over my years of working with tax returns I have had way too many people tell me they just look to see if they have a refund or owe, sign the return, then stick it in their files. I challenge you not to be one of those individuals. Following are some items I like to look at when assisting with tax planning.

What is this?

• Normally, if you are under the age of 59 ½ (unless an exception applies), you are subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty from retirement distributions.

• The CARES Act waives the 10% penalty for COVID-19 related distributions up to $100,000 from retirement plans (IF permitted by the plan) and IRAs.

• The distribution IS still taxable, just the penalty is waived. This income, however, can spread out over 3-years.

• The regulations also state that you can “make-up” these distributions over the next three years above and beyond your normal contribution limits.

• NOTE: These are NOT considered hardship distributions, therefore the hardship rules do not apply

Those who are unemployed or cannot work for coronavirus related reasons will be eligible for benefits under the new Cares Act passed on March 27, 2020.

I started with this section because we feel it is important for our clients to know if they are or are not eligible for this rebate.

Over the weekend, I've noticed a great deal of confusion regarding this provision.  Let's start with what it is.

With all of the closings that have been mandated as a result of COVID-19 along with requirements to stay in, many small business owners are worried about their operations. If you are a small business owner you are probably wondering how you are going to keep your business sustainable long term, provide for your employees, and provide for your own needs. Thankfully there has been a lot of legislation passed and the CARES act expanded and added benefits for small business owners. There is a lot of information out there so we wanted to summarize what these different benefits are, who qualifies, and what the effect is.

March is women’s history month and we want to take some of our space this month to recognize that. I love working with small business owners so I wanted to share some thoughts on women as business owners. Rooted Planning Group is owned by women so this is certainly special to us.

What are the traits that help women succeed in business? I thought back on some conferences I’ve attended, drew on personal experience, and looked at our team to see how the ways we think or act differently can be beneficial.

January is a time for fresh starts, resolutions, and goal setting. Resolutions notoriously fail so what can you do if you are heading into the New Year committed to making progress in your finances?

At the very end of 2019 the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act of 2019 was signed into law.  It gave this weeks blog author and Financial Planner, Amy Irvine, CFP®, EA, MPAS®, CCFC, flashbacks to the 2017 tax law changes that happened at the very end of the year. There are a lot of little nuggets in this Act, below is our interpretation of the Good, the Bad, and the Weird …

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the holiday season. Christmas is just over a week away so in this week's Monday Morning Quarter-Buck, Financial Planner Becky Eason (who we affectionately call our budget queen) is going to give you a few tips to save money in the upcoming weeks. 

When I think about the holiday season I have many different emotions; excitement, stress, joy, overwhelm, sadness.  However, as I get older and learn to cherish time more than anything, I realize that the Holidays are a very special time that should not be taken for granted and I do not want the negative emotions overshadow the positive emotions.  

So this year I am choosing to do the following 3 things and encourage everyone to consider doing them also…

In this weeks blog, Financial Planner Kerrie Beene, CFP® digs into the parts and pieces of Medicare Part D - Prescription Coverage.

As the end of 2019 quickly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about taxes. As we all know, tax season catches up with us very quickly with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and the recovery period in the weeks after the holidays.

In light of the remembrance I thought today I’d discuss one of the benefits offered to our military members and federal government employees: the Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP. Keep in mind this is a brief overview of a system that can be complex.

In this weeks blog, Financial Planner Amy Irvine, CFP®, EA, MPAS®, CCFC explains (at a high level) the alphabet soup of Medicare A, B, C, D and the Supplemental Plans. There is real confusion (understandably) around all the options available.

The products available to us in the financial and healthcare industry can be confusing. So, with the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s), we are combining the two worlds and this can be overwhelming when trying to pick a health care plan.

In this week’s blog, Financial Planner Kate Welker, CFP® defines top benefit terms to help demystify some of the confusing benefit terms.

In the next few weeks, you may open your mail or email to see notices regarding open enrollment season through your employer. Open enrollment is a period of time you can make changes to your employee benefits options that are normally restricted. This is also a great time to review your entire benefits package and make any other adjustments as well. Let’s walk through a few options you may be looking at.

In this week’s blog, Financial Planner and Financial Wellness Coach, Amy Irvine, CFP®, EA, MPAS®, CCFC digs into selection criteria often overlooked when selecting a college.