Consistently, we think about the idea that “markets often do what causes the most amount of pain for the most amount of people”, at least over shorter time frames. The first half of 2023 has been another sterling example of this notion, as many investors remain as underweight equities as at any point since 2009, according to the June Bank of America Global Fund Manager Survey.
The North Carolina Pass-Through Entity Tax Election
A policy research strategist we revere often refers to different parts of legislation as “candy” and “spinach.” Candy and spinach refer to tax cuts and revenue raisers, respectively. The idea is that legislators (like children) have to eat their spinach before they can have any candy.
Investment Strategy Outlook – April 2023
Since the last time we formally wrote in mid-December, there have been some significant changes to the investment landscape. Most notably of course is that we recently experienced the largest bank failures since the Great Financial Crisis.
Investment Strategy Update – March 2023
Good afternoon, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank shook markets last week as investors try to comprehend the uncertainty of this situation for the entire banking industry. It’s a tragic situation for those involved. We have listed several thoughts below.
2023 Investment Strategy Outlook
Every December Wall Street strategists partake in their annual ritual of forecasting where the S&P 500 will be a year from now. To be fair, this is somewhat of a thankless exercise as capital markets simply do not allow investors to be this precise.
Investment Strategy Update – September 2022
There is no shortage of ways one could describe the current investment environment, but we will allow the great Stanley Druckenmiller to opine on it for us:
2023 Tax Brackets and Rates
On a yearly basis the IRS adjusts more than 40 tax provisions for inflation. This is done to prevent what is called “bracket creep,” when people are pushed into higher income tax brackets or have reduced value from credits and deductions due to inflation, instead of any increase in real income.
The Income Tax Mulligan for Trusts: 65 Day Elections
For those fortunate souls who have not succumbed to the Siren’s call that is the game of golf, a Mulligan is basically a free “do-over.” The term “mulligan” represents an opportunity to have a second chance to do what you wish you had done from the start. In the world of federal income taxes, there are not many chances at a mulligan.
Summer/Fall 2022 Gift Tax Series: Volume 4: The Renaissance of the QPRT
As has been noted in earlier installments of this series, the current estate and gift tax exemption of $12.06mm is at a historically high level and is set to sunset at the end of 2025. This combination of facts means that many high-net-worth individuals are trying to find ways to take advantage of the exemption now before it’s gone. But not everyone has the ability to part with $12mm of investment assets right now!
Summer/Fall 2022 Gift Tax Series: Volume 3: The Hidden Gift of Roth Conversions
We are asked frequently by our clients whether they should contribute to a Roth or a traditional IRA (or if they should consider converting traditional IRA assets to a Roth. And while there are myriad variables to consider, one of the more succinct responses we’ve encountered is the rhetorical question: would you rather be taxed on the seed or the harvest?