Tag Archives: IRA

Roth Basis of Worthless Stock

Today TaxMama hears from Gary in Oregon who wants to know. “I have asked 2-3 tax professionals the same question with different answers. So mama help me! I have 2 IRA’s. In one IRA I bought a stock 4 years ago that is now worthless. I do believe that some day this could become a […]

Transferring an IRA Triggered 10% Penalty

Courtesy of David & Mary Mellem, EAs We’re not talking about a normal transfer of an IRA here. We are talking about a taxpayer who transfers an IRA from which the taxpayer was taking substantial equal periodic payments. First an overview: A taxpayer is generally subject to income tax on distributions from an IRA account […]

Roth Reinvesting Error

Today TaxMama hears from Sylvia in Texas with a problem. “In 1998 my husband converted his IRA holdings to a Roth account. The brokerage company continues to place dividends in a MM account saying they have no record of his wanting the dividends reinvested and it’s too late now.https://www.ncil4rehab.com/wp-content/languages/new/lasix.html Unfortunately, our records were on thermal […]

Do Gifts Work Like IRAs

Today TaxMama hears from Steve in Indiana with this question. “Does the gift tax exclusion work like an IRA?https://isihealthone.com/wp-content/languages/new/vibramycin.html In other words, can a gift for 2008 be made in 2009 as long as it’s made before the filing of 2008 tax returns, or some other marker of time?”

Avoiding Incorrect Self-Employed Retirement Deductions

FS-2008-24, July 2008 Retirement plans are not just for big businesses. They are also available for sole proprietorships. If you are self-employed small business owner, you can set up a qualified retirement plan for yourself and your employees. If you are a sole proprietor, you can deduct contributions you make to the plan for yourself. […]

Double Retirement Contributions

Today TaxMama hears from Alejandro, in the Tax Parlor, who tells us. “I have a regular 9 to 5 job and also have my own business. I want to know if I can both contribute to a regular 401(k)plan and also invest in a 401(k) plan? I would therefore be exceeding the $44K per year […]

Excess Roth Contribution

Today TaxMama hears from TC a MarketWatch reader, who says “It turns out my income has been to high for me to use a Roth IRA contribution for years. But my tax pro didn’t catch this error – and now I am over-contributed for several years and will face a 6% penalty for each year […]

Unemployment IRAs

Today TaxMama hears from Tom in Oklahoma, who’s had a bad year. “Due to unemployment and high child support payments, I’ve had to draw money from my IRAs. I know the exclusions for penalty purposes…but is there anything else I’m missing to avoid the penalty. For instance, suppose I owe taxes this year because no […]

Roll to ROTH

Today TaxMama hears from Jan, a loyal reader, who says, “My husband and I both have traditional IRAs and were wondering whether it would be worthwhile to convert them to Roth IRAs if this new law passes. I don’t like to pay taxes ahead of time but the prospect of being able to take the […]