Your Business Tax Savings Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good
Small business owners sometimes have an enviable opportunity to save on tax. They rightfully look for every loophole to which they are entitled to save money on taxes by deducting…
How Much Estate Tax Will I Owe (Back-of-the-Napkin Calculation)
Washington state has published its estate tax threshold for 2024. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t changed from 2023. When learning about the estate tax, people generally want to understand how to…
Is the Nonprofit Advocating or Lobbying? The Answer Can Affect Tax-Exempt Status
During a lunch with an Executive Director of a local charity that currently qualifies as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), I heard him remark that he is a constant advocate for both…
Navigating the Personal Residence Capital Gains Tax Trap for Seniors
As a senior citizen ages in her residence, she begins to understand a problem that has been brewing for years or decades. The house that she bought many moons ago…
Roth vs. Pretax
In this episode of Cornerstone Clips, Joel Ockey breaks down the key differences between pretax and Roth retirement contributions—and how to decide which one fits your financial goals. Learn how pretax contributions can reduce your taxable income today, while Roth contributions offer tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Whether you're planning for a lower tax bracket in the future or aiming for long-term tax-free growth, this quick guide will help you make a more informed decision.
Roth Conversions
In this episode of Cornerstone Clips, Joel Ockey breaks down the essentials of Roth conversions—what they are, how they work, and when they might make sense for your retirement strategy. Learn the key differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs, how converting can lock in today’s tax rates, and why having cash on hand to cover taxes is crucial. If you're looking to reduce future tax burdens and grow your retirement savings tax-free, this strategy might be worth exploring.
Washington Capital Gains Tax is Here to Stay
On March 24, 2023, the Washington State Supreme Court released its long-awaited opinion upholding the constitutionality of the new Washington Capital Gains Tax in Quinn v. State of Washington. Accordingly,…
529 College Savings Conversion to Roth IRA
Transferring wealth to children will become a touch easier in 2024. Buried in the estimated 4000-page Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 that passed at the end of 2022, was the…
Be Prepared to Take Beneficiary IRA Distributions in 2023
In 2019, The SECURE Act changed the rules concerning the distributions from pre-tax Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) inherited through beneficiary designation (a so-called “Beneficiary IRA”). As with many such changes…
How to Avoid the Death Tax
As Benjamin Franklin once said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Taxes come in a wide variety of flavors (e.g., income taxes,…
