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Home-Sweet-Home Equity

Buying a home is a long-term commitment, so it’s not surprising that older Americans are much more likely than younger people to own their homes “free and clear” (see chart). If you have paid off your mortgage or anticipate doing so by the time you retire, congratulations! Owning your home outright can help provide financial flexibility and stability during your retirement years.

Even if you still make mortgage payments, the equity in your home is a valuable asset. And current low interest rates might give you an opportunity to pay off your home more quickly. Here are some ideas to consider.

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Key Numbers Projected for 2021

Key Numbers Projected for 2021

Even though the official numbers have not yet been published by the IRS, we wanted to send over the projected key tax figures for 2021. When the official numbers are released, we’ll share an update with an associated Email Alert.

Standard deduction
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $24,800 $25,100
Head of household $18,650 $18,800
Single $12,400 $12,550
Married filing separately $12,400 $12,550
Standard deduction for dependent Greater of $1,100 or $350 + earned income Greater of $1,100 or $350 + earned income
Additional standard deduction for blind or aged (65 or older)
Single/Head of household $1,650 $1,700
All others $1,300 $1,350
Taxable income threshold for top 37% income tax bracket
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $622,050 $628,300
Head of household $518,400 $523,600
Single $518,400 $523,600
Married filing separately $311,025 $314,150
Long-term capital gain 20% threshold (based on taxable income)
2020 Projected for 2021
Married filing jointly $496,600 $501,600
Head of household $469,050 $473,750
Single $441,450 $445,850
Married filing separately $248,300 $250,800
Alternative minimum tax (AMT)
2020 Projected for 2021
Maximum AMT exemption amount
Married filing jointly $113,400 $114,600
Single/Head of household $72,900 $73,600
Married filing separately $56,700 $57,300
Exemption phaseout threshold
Married filing jointly $1,036,800 $1,047,200
Single/Head of household $518,400 $523,600
Married filing separately $518,400 $523,600
26% on AMTI* up to amount, 28% on AMTI above amount
Married filing separately $98,950 $99,950
All others $197,900 $199,900

*Alternative minimum taxable income

Kiddie tax: Child’s unearned income
2020 Projected for 2021
Above this amount taxed using parents’ tax rates $2,200 $2,200
IRAs
2020 Projected for 2021
Contribution limits
Traditional and Roth IRAs (combined) $6,000 ($7,000 if age 50 or older) $6,000 ($7,000 if age 50 or older)
Roth IRA income phaseout range (contributions)
Single/Head of household $124,000 to $139,000 $125,000 to $140,000
Married filing jointly $196,000 to $206,000 $198,000 to $208,000
Married filing separately $0 to $10,000 $0 to $10,000
Traditional IRA income phaseout range (deductibility)
1. Covered by an employer-sponsored plan and filing as:
Single/Head of household $65,000 to $75,000 $66,000 to $76,000
Married filing jointly $104,000 to $124,000 $105,000 to $125,000
2. Not covered by plan but filing joint return with covered spouse $196,000 to $206,000 $198,000 to $208,000
3. Married filing separately and either spouse is covered by plan $0 to $10,000 $0 to $10,000
Estate planning
2020 Projected for 2021
Top gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax rate 40% 40%
Annual gift tax exclusion $15,000 $15,000
Noncitizen spouse annual gift tax exclusion $157,000 $159,000
Gift tax and estate tax applicable exclusion amount $11,580,0001 + DSUEA2 $11,700,0001 + DSUEA2
GST tax exemption $11,580,000 $11,700,000

1Basic exclusion amount

2Deceased spousal unused exclusion amount

 

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A little bit of insight to share

Here are some bullet points that came across my desk today.  I hope they help make some senses out of the passage of the recent Acts.

Highlights of the SECURE Act include:

Age restrictions on contributions to a Traditional IRA have been eliminated

  • For clients born on or after July 1, 1949, the age for starting required minimum distributions
  • (RMDs) has been increased to 72
  • Beneficiary distribution choices for deaths that occur starting in 2020 have been changed/updated
  • Distributions for qualified birth or adoption expenses are penalty-free up to $5,000

Highlights of the CARES Act include:

  • RMDs, including those from Beneficiary IRAs, have been waived for 2020
  • Coronavirus-related distributions (CRDs) are penalty-free up to $100,000 through December 30,
  • 2020
  • CRDs can be repaid over three years, or taxes can be spread over three years
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7 Reasons to Be Happy Even if Things Aren’t Perfect Now

By Lori Deschene

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” ~Unknown

Even though I couldn’t possibly care less about oil-based raincoats, I listened to him talk for about fifteen minutes one rainy morning last week.

This little guy, with his colorful button-down shirt and funny-looking hat makes my day most mornings. He works at the 7-11 where I get my coffee. And he always seems happy.

At first I thought he was just putting on a good face, making the best of a tough situation. After all, he couldn’t possibly enjoy working at a convenience store, right? Continue reading “7 Reasons to Be Happy Even if Things Aren’t Perfect Now”

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The ABCs of Finance: Teaching Kids About Money

It’s never too soon to start teaching children about money. A few simple lessons will provide a solid foundation for a lifetime of financial decisions.

Whether they’re tagging along with you to the grocery store or watching you make purchases online, children quickly realize that we use money to buy the things we want. You can teach some simple lessons today that will give them a solid foundation for making a lifetime of sound financial decisions. Continue reading “The ABCs of Finance: Teaching Kids About Money”

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Think Twice Before Speculating on a COVID-19 Cure

As hundreds of companies race to develop vaccines and drug therapies that could help end the COVID-19 pandemic, news reports on successful or failed trials affect individual stock prices and can trigger swings in the broader market. Understandably, this highly contagious virus — and its severe economic repercussions — has a knack for stirring up investors’ emotions. Continue reading “Think Twice Before Speculating on a COVID-19 Cure”

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May 29 is 529 Plan Day

May 29 (5/29) is nationally recognized by the college savings industry as 529 Plan Day, a day to highlight these tax-advantaged education savings accounts. At the end of 2019, there were 13.4 million 529 savings plan accounts with a total of $346 billion in assets. (Source: ISS Market Intelligence, 529 Market Highlights, 4Q 2019)

529 Savings Plans vs. Prepaid Tuition Plans

Section 529 plans are popular education savings vehicles. To choose the type of 529 plan that’s right for you, it’s important to understand how 529 savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans work and the differences between them. Continue reading “May 29 is 529 Plan Day”