Tax Strategies

2014 tax developments as a guide to 2015

The best-laid estate plans just got muddled.

President Barack Obama is dropping his proposal to tax the earnings on college savings accounts, responding to criticism of an idea the White House announced 10 days ago.

White House officials say they are seeking to dismantle a popular college savings tax break because it favors wealthy households and does little to encourage lower-income students to go to college.

Real estate partnerships pool funds from various investor groups, family offices and public entities to invest in property platforms seeking high cap rates and strong yields. Even though the investors within each fund have different tax structures and tax needs, the goal of enhancing each investor’s rate of return can be accomplished through sophisticated tax planning strategies.

With the top income tax rate at 39.6 percent, advisors need to be savvy about the tax-saving strategies they utilize for their high net-worth clients.

Tax strategy and investment management are important, but communicating with clients is one of the most critical aspects of any financial planner's practice, argued pioneering planner Harold Evensky.

President Barack Obama is proposing new taxes on the wealthiest Americans that would limit their profits from investments and make it harder for them to pass assets to heirs.

A recent court decision may have repercussions for colleges' star players

The end of the year is traditionally the time when taxpayers rush to get their last-minute charitable contributions made so they can write off the deductions on their taxes before April 15.