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William Byrnes (Texas A&M) tax & compliance articles

Archive for the ‘Pensions’ Category

Beware the Roth Conversion Penalty Trap

Posted by William Byrnes on August 21, 2023


Robert Bloink and Prof. William Byrnes’ (Texas A&M Law) weekly Tax Facts Intelligence strategy newsletter for financial advisors is available via the Tax Facts app or search.TaxFactsOnline.com

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TaxFacts Intelligence December 3, 2020

Posted by William Byrnes on December 3, 2020


This week, we examine the new October regs (subscribers received this analysis the next day) on the process of establishing an ABLE account. The new rules provide increased flexibility in terms of who can establish the account, which may be an important factor when support for the beneficiary comes from multiple family members. We also have additional clarification on the Small Business Exemption to the Business Interest Deduction rules and a new online resource from the IRS that assists those who are closing a business. . .

Prof. William H. Byrnes         Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.

Final ABLE Account Regulations Offer New Flexibility

The IRS final ABLE account regulations broaden the range of parties who are eligible to establish an account.  Under the new rules, the beneficiary can designate any person to establish an account on their behalf.  If the beneficiary is unable to designate a person, the account can be set up by an agent under a power of attorney, a conservator, legal guardian, spouse, parent, sibling, grandparent or representative payee appointed by the Social Security Administration (in that order of priority).  The ABLE program itself is entitled to rely upon the person’s certification that he or she is authorized to set up the account for the benefit of a disabled person, and that there is no person with a higher priority who is willing and able to set up the account.  Similarly, the person who establishes the account will generally have signature authority over the account.  For more information on the ABLE Account rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

IRS Clarifies Small Business Exemption to Business Interest Deduction Rules

The 2017 tax reform legislation changed the general rules for deducting business interest.  While the 2020 CARES Act relaxed the new limitations, the new rule generally limits the business interest deduction.  Small businesses that are not tax shelters are not subject to the new limits if they pass the gross receipts test (by having average annual gross receipts of no more than $26 million for the past three tax years).  Related entities are generally aggregated if they’re aggregated for other tax code purposes.  In past years, some small businesses were uncertain whether they fell into the definition of “tax shelter” because there was some uncertainty in the way “syndicate” was defined–multiple definitions apply in different tax code sections.  The IRS clarified this by releasing proposed regulations specifying that “syndicate” is defined using the Treasury Regulation Section 1.448-1T(b)(3) definition.  Because of this, only small businesses that have passive investors who are actually allocated losses are treated as tax shelters that are ineligible.  For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

IRS Creates Online Resource for Closing a Business

Unfortunately, many small business owners have been forced to close due to the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The IRS has now created an online resource giving business owners step-by-step information about how to close a business.  The website reminds taxpayers that they are required to file a final tax return for the year the business closes.  The relevant form will depend upon the type of business entity involved.  Employers are also required to pay employees all compensation that they’re owed—and must pay related employment taxes on those wages.  They must also report any payments in excess of $600 made to independent contractors.  The business should also close all business accounts and cancel their EIN by sending a letter to the IRS.  For more information on the tax obligations of employers, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Texas A&M University School of Law’s online wealth and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals has attracted over 160 enrollment this fall semester. Apply now for courses that begin January 11 spring semester. See the international tax course list by > weekly topic here. < Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!

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TaxFacts Intelligence Nov 23, 2020

Posted by William Byrnes on November 23, 2020


This week we analyze two updates on how the CARES Act is impacting retirement plans. First, we have additional information about re-contributing COVID hardship distributions for qualified plans. Recall that the CARES Act offers a generous window in which to make those re-contributions, so this may be an important topic for end-of-the year tax planning. We also see an update for single-employer defined benefit plans, including some important deadlines. Happy tax reading for Thanksgiving week!

Prof. William H. Byrnes         Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.

Clearing up Confusion About Re-Contributing Coronavirus-Related Retirement Distributions

The CARES Act relaxed the hardship distribution rules so that plan participants suffering hardships because of the coronavirus pandemic could access their retirement savings. The law also allows participants to re-contribute those funds within three years of the distribution without penalty. Employer-sponsored plans, however, are only able to accept rollovers from participants (and sometimes new hires). Therefore, if an employee takes their entire account balance as a coronavirus-related hardship distribution and later stops working for the employer, the person is no longer a participant or new hire. For more information on the rules regarding CRDs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Agencies Offer New CARES Act Contribution Relief for Single-Employer Defined Benefit Plans

Sponsors of defined benefit plans are generally required to pay premiums annually to the PBGC. Calculating the premium amount is complex. The first factor imposes a flat-rate, per-participant amount. The second portion is variable, and is based on the plan’s unfunded vested benefits. In calculating this amount, the sponsor is allowed to include any contributions made up to the filing due date. The CARES Act extended the deadline for making a 2019 defined benefit contribution until January 1, 2021. For more information on the defined benefit plan funding rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

IRS Issues Final Regs on Post-TCJA Deductions for Estates and Non-Grantor Trusts

The IRS has released final regulations to clarify that estates and non-grantor trusts are entitled to take certain deductions even after the 2017 tax reform legislation eliminated miscellaneous itemized deductions and suspended the personal exemption for 2018-2025. Generally, non-grantor trusts are entitled to deduction otherwise deductible expenses that would not be incurred but for the fact that the property or assets are held in trust. For more information on the taxation of trusts and estates, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Texas A&M University School of Law’s online wealth and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals has attracted over 160 enrollment this fall semester. Apply now for courses that begin on January 18 spring semester. See the international tax course list by > weekly topic here. <

Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!

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Estate Planning Update 2020-21 (Lexis)

Posted by William Byrnes on October 22, 2020


Texas Estate Planning Publication Update (2020) [Lexis permalink is here]

Highlights

Current Developments: In this Release 27 of Texas Estate Planning, Prof. William Byrnes analyzes the latest developments and decisions in the federal and Texas courts, including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the SECURE Act of 2019, as well as legislation and consideration resulting from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that impact estate planners.

Release 27 of Texas Estate Planning includes 21 chapter revisions of the latest rulings, regulations, cases, and inflationary adjustments, as well as the amendments and additions to law by the biennial 2019 86th Texas legislative session, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the SECURE Act of 2019, and CARES Act of 2020. Highlights of this release include:

The SECURE Act. The SECURE Act that took effect in 2020 specifically targets estate planning opportunities for individual retirement accounts. The impact is analyzed in Chapter 1.

T.D. 9884; Treas. Reg. § 20.2010-1(c). The I.R.S. confirmed that gifts made during 2018 through 2025 will attach the transfer tax exemption amount applicable on the date of the gift, and thus allow credit for the higher pre-2026 amount post-2026 even though the transfer tax exemption will have reverted to the pre-2018 amount (adjusted for inflation). The impact is analyzed in Chapter 2.

State Imposition of Tax on Trust Income. Some states attempt to tax trust income based on the residency of the beneficiary. In North Carolina Department of Revenue v. The Kimberly Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust, the State of North Carolina imposed an income tax on accumulated income of an irrevocable trust created in New York because of the residency of three beneficiaries in North Carolina. The U.S. Supreme Court in a decision based on the specific facts of the case held that the tax violated the Due Process Clause. See Chapter 31.

Impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Exclusion. The IRS for 2018 reported that it received 34,092 total estate tax returns and 245,584 gift tax returns. Of the estate tax returns for 2018, the IRS reported that it received 5,484 taxable returns (which most likely relate to deaths in 2017) reporting $106 billion of estate gross assets and a tentative estate tax liability of $34 billion. The Urban Institute Tax Policy Center estimates that for 2020 only 1,900 estate tax returns will have tax owing of a total $16 billion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Exclusion. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”) increases from 2018 until 2026 the transfer tax exemption to $10 million per individual indexed for inflation so that for 2020 the amount is $11.58 million or $23.16 million per married couple. The 2020 annual gift tax exclusion for gifts made to a non-citizen spouse is $157,000. In 2026, the transfer tax exemption reverts back to the 2017 level indexed for inflation (in 2018 it would have been $5.6 million). All chapters have been updated to reflect these changes as well as the inflation adjustments of Rev. Proc. 2019-44.

U.S. Estate Tax Regime On High Net Wealth Immigrants. Chapter 7 analyzes planning strategies to mitigate exposure of foreign assets to U.S. estate tax.

IRS Settlement Offer For Microcaptives. See Chapter 5.

Author and Contributors

Professor William Byrnes of Texas A&M University School of Law and author of ten Lexis legal treatises is the author of Texas Estate Planning. He has assembled a team of preeminent subject matter experts as chapter contributors, including: Tena Fox (Leach & Fox), Terry Leach (Leach & Fox), Patrick McCormick (Drucker Scaccetti), Benjamin Terner (The Einstein Group), Kim Donovan Uskovich (Kelly Hart), and James Weller (Greenway Capital Advisors).

Interested in the two volumes of Estate Planning book? See here

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Byrnes & Bloink’s TaxFacts Intelligence (September 30, 2020)

Posted by William Byrnes on September 30, 2020


Texas A&M University School of Law’s online wealth and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals has attracted over 160 enrollment this fall semester. Apply now for courses that begin January 11 spring semester. See the international tax course list by > weekly topic here. <

Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!

 

Prof. William H. Byrnes
        Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.

Happy October Fest! Several states now allow employers to use federal forms (1094-C and 1095-C) for state reporting requirements. This may be the beginning of an interesting trend towards simplification of state filing requirements. Obviously, not everything from a federal filing translates directly into state filings (for example, many states treat pension income differently in an attempt to lure retirees), but often much of the information that is filed for a state is redundant to the respective federal forms.

California Allows Employers to Use Federal Forms 1094-C and 10-95-C. Will Other States Follow?

California and several other states have imposed their own state-level individual mandates that closely resemble the Affordable Care Act mandate (now reduced to $0). California’s mandate became effective in 2020. Recently, the state announced that employers can satisfy their state-level reporting responsibilities using the same forms that apply for federal purposes. Employers who offer health insurance to California residents must now also submit their Forms 1094-C and 1095-C to the state franchise tax board (as well as the IRS under federal rules that continue to require employer reporting). Currently, however, the state-level forms must be filed by January 31. Historically, the IRS has extended the federal deadline to March 2. Employers should continue to pay close attention to ensure both state and federal requirements are satisfied. For more information on the employer reporting obligations, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

PBGC CARES Act Relief for Defined Benefit Plans

Sponsors of defined benefit plans are generally required to pay premiums annually to the PBGC. Calculating the premium amount is complex. The CARES Act extended the deadline for making a 2019 defined benefit contribution until January 1, 2021. However, according to PBGC guidance, these contributions must be made by October 15, 2020 in order to be included in calculating the variable portion of the plan sponsor’s PBGC premium. Contributions paid before January 1, 2021 are not considered late, so the plan sponsor does not have to worry about incurring any additional filing obligations. For more information on the defined benefit plan funding rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Updated Model Safe Harbor Notice for Rollover Transactions

Retirement plan qualification rules periodically require employers to provide notice to participants who are eligible to take rollover distributions. In Notice 2020-62, the IRS released an updated safe harbor model notice that taxpayers can use under Section 402(f). That notice identifies several types of new distributions that are not eligible for rollover. This model notice can be modified, but is generally required for all 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans that make distributions that are eligible for rollover to another retirement account. For more information on the notice requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

 

Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience

Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.

  • all Tax Facts books
  • Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
  • weekly strategy articles for client advisory
  • weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
  • among other weekly client advisory critical updates

Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874

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Byrnes & Bloink’s Covid-19 TaxFacts Intelligence Weekly for April 3, 2020

Posted by William Byrnes on April 3, 2020


Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its online wealth management, risk management, and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals. Apply now for Summer courses that begin May: Legal Risk Management; Intro to Risk Management; FATCA & CRS Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics I  Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).

                    Prof. William Byrnes
          Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.
Lots of CVOID-19 legislation in the updates this week. The IRS and DOL continue to release new guidance–and update existing guidance–at an unprecedented and fast pace. For the time being, clients and advisors alike should check the actual text of the guidance before taking concrete action to make sure they are operating under the most up-to-date rules.
IRS Releases FAQ on COVID-19 Filing, Payment Extensions

The IRS FAQ clarifies that the filing and payment extensions (from April 15 to July 15) apply regardless of whether the taxpayer is actually sick or quarantined because of COVID-19. For fiscal year taxpayers with 2019 returns due April 15, the deadline is extended to July 15 regardless of whether April 15 is an original or extended filing deadline. Taxpayers facing filing or payment deadlines that are not April 15 must note that their deadlines have not generally been extended. The relief also does not apply to payroll or excise tax payments (deposit dates remain unchanged, but employers may be eligible for the new paid sick leave tax credit, see Tax Facts Q8550). Taxpayers do not have to do anything to take advantage of the extension–they simply file their returns and make required payments by the new July 15 deadline. Taxpayers who filed and schedule a payment for April 15 must, however, take action to reschedule their payment for July 15 if they wish (by contacting the credit or debit card company if the payment was scheduled directly with the card issuer). For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Counting Employees for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave & FMLA Expansion Purposes

DOL FAQ provides that an employer is subject to the expanded paid sick leave and FMLA rules if the employer has fewer than 500 full-time and part-time employees. Employees on leave and temporary employees should be included, while independent contractors are not included in the count. Each corporation is usually a single employer. When a corporation has an ownership interest in another corporation, the two are separate employers unless they are joint employers for Fair Labor Standards Act purposes. Joint employer status is based on a facts and circumstances analysis, and is generally the case when (1) one employer employs the employee, but another benefits from the work or (2) one employer employs an employee for one set of hours in a workweek, and another employer employs the same employee for a separate set of hours in the same workweek. For more information on the details provided by current DOL guidance, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Calculating Sick Pay for Part-Time and Variable Hour Workers Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

With respect to the FMLA extension, the rate of pay for part-time employees is based upon the number of hours they would normally be scheduled to work. For employees with variable schedules, pay is based upon a number equal to the average number of hours that the employee was scheduled per day over the 6-month period ending on the date on which the employee takes such leave, including hours for which the employee took leave of any type or (2) if the employee did not work over such period, the reasonable expectation of the employee at the time of hiring of the average number of hours per day that the employee would normally be scheduled to work. As of now, the law provides that leave may not be carried over into 2021. For more information on the law’s requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
RMDs Suspended for 2020, Penalty Waived for Coronavirus Distributions

The CARES Act suspended the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for 2020–a suspension that applies to all 401(k), 403(b), and certain 457(b) deferred compensation plans maintained by the government, as well as IRAs. The law also contains a provision waiving the 10% early distribution penalty that applies to retirement account withdrawals. The relief generally mirrors the relief commonly granted in more localized natural disaster situations. The Act allows employees to take up to $100,000 in distributions from an employer-sponsored retirement plan (401(k), 403(b) or defined benefit plan) or an IRA without becoming subject to the penalty. Unless the participant elects otherwise, inclusion of the distribution in income is spread over three years, beginning with the tax year of distribution. The Act also provides a repayment option, where the participant has the option of repaying the distribution over the three-taxable year period beginning with the tax year of distribution. In this case, the distribution will be treated as an eligible rollover made in a trustee-to-trustee transfer within the 60-day window. For more information on expanded access to retirement funds, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

WEBINAR

Small Business Incentives Under the CARES Act:  Will it Help My Business?

Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Central

Learn how the CARES Act affects your business.

Texas A&M Law faculty experts share practical, fact-based information regarding how the CARES Act is affecting those of us in Texas in this free webinar.

 

  • Access to and eligibility for loans for small businesses
  • Implications for payroll tax payments and employee tax credits

Presenters:

Posted in Pensions, Reporting, Retirement Planning, Tax Policy, Wealth Management | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Byrnes & Bloink’s TaxFacts Intelligence Weekly for Financial Advisors (March 16, 2020)

Posted by William Byrnes on March 16, 2020


Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its online wealth management, risk management, and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals. Apply now for Summer courses that begin May: FATCA & CRS Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics I  Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018). To apply for Summer, call or fill in the form https://law.tamu.edu/distance-education/

Editor’s Note: Reconciliation abounds! You need to reconcile your advance premium tax credit payments, the Supreme Court needs to reconcile the ACA without the individual mandate, and employers need to reconcile employee withholdings with the new regs.
Do you (or your clients) receive advance premium tax credit payments? If you haven’t squared them away with 2019 income levels that might delay the return. Also, with new withholding regs it’s a good idea for employers to take a second look at employee allowances.
Finally, the Supreme Court will (again) look at the constitutionality of the ACA. Recall that the last time this happened constitutionality hinged on Congress’ ability to tax, with Chief justice Roberts noting that the Aca was clearly tax legislation since the individual mandate penalty was implemented through the tax code. Now that the individual mandate has been repealed, how will the ACA fare under additional scrutiny? Tune in next year to find out!
And wash your hands!
Tax Season Tip: Failure to Reconcile Advance Premium Tax Credit Payments May Delay Returns

The IRS has released guidance reminding taxpayers who received advance payments of their premium tax credit throughout the year of their obligation to reconcile those payments with respect to their actual household income levels for 2019. Taxpayers have the option of choosing to have premium tax credits applied directly to their monthly insurance premiums. For more information on the premium tax credit, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Supreme Court to Once Again Consider ACA Viability

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments and rule on the continued constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The Court may decide whether the remainder of the ACA is constitutional absent the individual mandate. Arguments in the case are set to be heard in October, after the election, and a decision is unlikely before 2021. For more information on the individual mandate, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Determining the Employer’s Obligations Under the New Proposed Withholding Regulations

The regulations are clear that the employer is not required to ascertain whether the withholding allowance claimed by the employee is greater than those to which the employee is actually entitled. However, the IRS (or published guidance) may direct an employer to submit employees’ withholding certificates (or the certificates relating to groups of employees) to the IRS. Further, the IRS may notify the employer that an employee is not entitled to claim more than a certain withholding allowance. For more information on the new withholding regulations, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience

Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.  Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874

Posted in Pensions, Retirement Planning, Taxation | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Byrnes & Bloink’s TaxFacts Intelligence Weekly for Financial Advisors (March 5, 2020)

Posted by William Byrnes on March 5, 2020


Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its online wealth management, risk management, and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals. Apply now for Summer courses that begin May: FATCA & CRS Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics I  Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018). To apply for Summer, contact Jeff Green, Graduate Programs Coordinator, T: +1 (817) 212-3866, E: jeffgreen@law.tamu.edu or contact David Dye, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, T (817) 212-3954, E: ddye@law.tamu.edu. Texas A&M Admissions website: https://law.tamu.edu/distance-education/

Editor’s Note: Litigation on breaches of fiduciary duties in qualified plans has increased dramatically in the past few years, and this week sees an interesting decision from the Supreme Court reducing the statute of limitations where the employee has actual knowledge of the breach. In contrast, the IRS indicates that there is no statute of limitations for employer ACA violations. For more on these topics and many others, log in to Tax Facts for the latest.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Statute of Limitations for Fiduciary Breach

The U.S. Supreme Court, in the widely watched Intel case, agreed with former employees that an employer cannot shorten the time period over which plan participants can sue by simply posting relevant information online or sending information in the mail. In most cases, plan participants have six years to bring a lawsuit for fiduciary breach. However, that window is shortened to three years from the date the participant had “actual knowledge” of the fiduciary violation. For more information on investment diversification requirements for 401(k)s, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Releases Regs on Post-Reform Deduction for Business Meals and Entertainment

The IRS released regulations governing the post-tax reform treatment of the deduction for business meals and entertainment expenses. The regulations generally mirror guidance release in 2018 and 2019 on the deduction. As such, taxpayers may continue to deduct 50 percent of their business-related food and beverage expenses that are not lavish or extravagant. For more information on the post-reform deduction, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS: No Statute of Limitations on ACA Penalties for Large Employers

In usual scenarios, when a taxpayer files a return reporting certain information to the IRS, that filing triggers the start of a limitations period after which the IRS can no longer challenge the information in that return (generally, three years). However, the IRS has recently clarified that this rule does not apply with respect to ACA penalty taxes owed by applicable large employers—because there is no actual return that they file in order to report those taxes. This is the case despite the fact that ALEs have certain reporting obligations via annual Forms 1094-C and 1095-C. For more information on how penalties are assessed, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience

Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.  Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874

Posted in Pensions, Retirement Planning, Taxation, Wealth Management | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Client’s Seeking Market Value Adjusted Annuities

Posted by William Byrnes on March 16, 2014


As clients have begun to feel the shifting winds with respect to the general economy, the annuity market is now undergoing its own type of evolution. While products that tie fluctuations in an annuity’s cash surrender value to prevailing market interest rates may have seemed unacceptably risky to most clients just a few months ago, changes in today’s interest rate environment now have clients flocking to find these features.

Annuities with market value adjustment (MVA) features may be the next hot product for clients looking to beat the return on other conservative investment products, so make sure you are ready for this emerging product trend.

Read the full analysis of Professor William Byrnes and Robert Bloink at Think Advisor !

2013_tf_insurance_emp_benefits_combo_covers-m_2Authoritative and easy-to-use, 2014 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits shows you how the tax law and regulations are relevant to your insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning practices.  Often complex tax law and regulations are explained in clear, understandable language.  Pertinent planning points are provided throughout.

Organized in a convenient Q&A format to speed you to the information you need, 2014 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits delivers the latest guidance on:

  • Estate & Gift Tax Planning
  • Roth IRAs
  • HSAs
  • Capital Gains, Qualifying Dividends
  • Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Under IRC Section 409A
  • And much more!

Key updates for 2014:

  • Important federal income and estate tax developments impacting insurance and employee benefits including changes from the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
  • Concise updated explanation and highlights of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
  • Expanded coverage of Annuities
  • New section on Structured Settlements
  • New section on International Tax
  • More than thirty new Planning Points, written by practitioners for practitioners, in the following areas:
    • Life Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Estate and Gift Tax
    • Deferred Compensation
    • Individual Retirement Plans

Plus, you’re kept up-to-date with online supplements for critical developments.  Written and reviewed by practicing professionals who are subject matter experts in their respective topics, Tax Facts is the practical resource you can rely on.

Posted in Insurance, Pensions, Retirement Planning | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

ESOPs: A Tax-Advantaged Business Succession Plan

Posted by William Byrnes on February 12, 2014


Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) can serve a number of purposes for your small business clients, providing a powerful motivator for employees and simultaneously reducing corporate taxes. In today’s market, however, the most important function of an ESOP may actually solve one of your retiring small business client’s most pressing problems—how to exit the business upon retirement.

This business succession strategy can actually allow a small business client to gradually transition into retirement through a sale of the business to his employees while deferring recognition of any gain on the sale far into the future.

Read the full analysis of Professor William Byrnes and Robert Bloink at Think Advisor !

 

2013_tf_insurance_emp_benefits_combo_covers-m_2Authoritative and easy-to-use, 2014 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits shows you how the tax law and regulations are relevant to your insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning practices.  Often complex tax law and regulations are explained in clear, understandable language.  Pertinent planning points are provided throughout.

Organized in a convenient Q&A format to speed you to the information you need, 2014 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits delivers the latest guidance on:

 

  • Estate & Gift Tax Planning
  • Roth IRAs
  • HSAs
  • Capital Gains, Qualifying Dividends
  • Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Under IRC Section 409A
  • And much more!

Key updates for 2014:

  • Important federal income and estate tax developments impacting insurance and employee benefits including changes from the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
  • Concise updated explanation and highlights of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
  • Expanded coverage of Annuities
  • New section on Structured Settlements
  • New section on International Tax
  • More than thirty new Planning Points, written by practitioners for practitioners, in the following areas:
    • Life Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Estate and Gift Tax
    • Deferred Compensation
    • Individual Retirement Plans

Plus, you’re kept up-to-date with online supplements for critical developments.  Written and reviewed by practicing professionals who are subject matter experts in their respective topics, Tax Facts is the practical resource you can rely on.

Posted in Insurance, Pensions | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

The next hot annuity for clients is ?

Posted by William Byrnes on January 20, 2014


As clients have begun to feel the shifting winds with respect to the general economy, the annuity market is now undergoing its own type of evolution.

While products that tie fluctuations in an annuity’s cash surrender value to prevailing market interest rates may have seemed unacceptably risky to most clients just a few months ago, changes in today’s interest rate environment now have clients flocking to find these features.

Annuities with market value adjustment (MVA) features may be the next hot product for clients looking to beat the return on other conservative investment products, so read the full analysis of this emerging trend by Professor William Byrnes and Robert Bloink at Think Advisor !

ThinkAdvisor.com supports the professional growth and vitality of the Investment Advisory community, from RIAs and wealth managers of all kinds, to independent broker-dealer and wirehouse representatives. We provide unparalleled access to the knowledge, information and critical resources they need to succeed at every stage in their career, including professional development, education and certification, industry news and analysis, reference tools and services, and community networking opportunities.

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The benefits to clients from the deferred income annuity sales boom

Posted by William Byrnes on September 24, 2013


When it comes to lifetime income planning, clients are always looking for the latest and greatest strategy to ensure that their income needs will be met during retirement.

Deferred income annuities are finally experiencing a dramatic growth spurt in the market, which has motivated insurance carriers to design products with features that allow each product to be tailored to meet the individual client’s needs. As the number of carriers offering deferred income annuities expands, a corresponding boost in client demand is expected — especially when clients discover that they can find the income features they have come to expect from an annuity product, but with a level of flexibility in required contributions and income options unique to the deferred income annuity market.

Read William Byrnes and Robert Bloink’s full analysis of this boom in the sales of deferred income annuities at LifeHealthPro: http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/09/11/the-benefits-to-clients-from-the-deferred-income-a

 

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Post-Retirement Health Care: A Quarter-Million-Dollar Dilemma

Posted by William Byrnes on December 3, 2012


After expenses covered by Medicare are taken into account, many of your clients retiring this year are likely to incur about $240,000 per couple in out-of-pocket health care expenses during retirement. …  You may be able to alleviate the retiree health-expense problem by using guaranteed income annuities or life insurance alternative funding solutions.

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When Clients Get Lump-Sum Pension Offers, What to Advise?

Posted by William Byrnes on November 30, 2012


An increasing number of your clients are facing the novel possibility of choosing a lump sum payout from their pensions instead of the traditional annuity option.  See the full article at –http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2012/08/16/when-clients-get-lump-sum-pension-offers-what-to-a

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Preparing Clients for the Reality of PPACA’s Investment Income Tax

Posted by William Byrnes on November 26, 2012


… the PPACA provisions proposing an additional 3.8 percent tax on investment income will shortly become effective … and your high-income clients will need advice on how to reposition their investments today to minimize its effect.  Read the full article at http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2012/07/19/preparing-clients-for-the-reality-of-ppacas-invest

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my newest book: 2013 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits

Posted by William Byrnes on November 21, 2012


http://www.nationalunderwriter.com/2013-tax-facts-on-insurance-employee-benefits-269.html

Organized in a convenient Q&A format to speed you to the information you need, 2013 Tax Facts on Insurance & Employee Benefits delivers the latest guidance on:

  • Estate & Gift Tax Planning
  • Roth IRAs
  • HSAs
  • Capital Gains, Qualifying Dividends
  • Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Under IRC Section 409A
  • And much more!

Key updates for 2013:

  • Enhanced explanation of the Disclosure Regulations for Retirement Plan Service Providers
  • Expanded section on the taxation of annuities
  • More than 30 new Planning Points, written by practitioners for practitioners, in the following areas:
    • Life Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Federal Income Taxation
    • Estate Taxation

Plus, you’re kept up-to-date with online supplements for critical developments.

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The ticking estate tax time bomb

Posted by William Byrnes on November 21, 2012


For your clients who have been playing the wait-and-see game in estate planning this year, the time for waiting is over.   Absent congressional action, the current $5.12 million exemption will revert to $1 million in less than three months, and the current 35% maximum estate tax rate will jump to 55%.  The entire article is available at http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2012/10/17/the-ticking-estate-tax-time-bomb-less-than-90-days

 

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How New Deferred Annuities Provide Income Early in Retirement

Posted by William Byrnes on November 19, 2012


…insurance companies have begun building annuity products in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the latest crop of deferred income annuity products could pave the way for clients seeking to maximize retirement income security in the years leading up to retirement.  Read the full article on AdvisorOne – http://www.advisorone.com/2012/11/08/how-new-deferred-annuities-provide-income-early-in

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Nonqualified Pension Plans and Life Insurance

Posted by William Byrnes on November 18, 2010


Why is this Topic Important to Wealth Managers? Provides information on one additional planning tool that many wealth managers find useful for affluent clients who own a small business.  Gives an overview of the nonqualified plans as well as proving a common use of life insurance to fund plan obligations well into the future.    

Simply a nonqualified pension plan is a retirement plan that does not meet the requirements under the tax code and federal employment law to be considered qualified, and therefore the nonqualified plan is treated differently for tax purposes. [1]

What are some of the advantages of using a nonqualified plan over a qualified retirement plan? [2] 

  • Flexibility and selectivity—because the plan is not subject to requirements under the qualified plan rules, employers have much more control in terms of who may be included and the varying terms of each individual participant. 
  • Vesting and contingencies—nonqualified plans allow for the employer to exclude all amounts not met by vesting conditions or contingencies that the employee must achieve to obtain the benefit.  Say for example, that the retirement funds become available to the employee after 10 years of faithful service to the company.  If the employee does not work for 10 years, no benefits have thus accrued and the employee has no benefit under the plan. 
  • Cost savings through minimal reporting requirements—since nonqualified plans do not usually fall within major regulatory scope of qualified plans, the cost to administer these plans is generally less than some alternatives.

How are nonqualified plans treated for tax purposes?  Read the entire blogticle at AdvisorFYI.

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