Retirement - What is the IRA

It 's not like we don't have enough to worry about without adding this burden. Really? With all the three letter names floating around our society what is one more?

However, when it comes to real life, these three letters will have a greater noticeable affect on people than many of the other three letter names that we here on a regular basis such as the CIA, FBI, NSB, ATF, and countless other abbreviations that are hidden behind three little letters.

The good news is that an IRA isn't nearly as insidious as its name would imply. This is a useful tool to most Americans who hope to someday retire from their life of work and life out a somewhat comfortable existence.There are actually many different IRAs, which is the abbreviation for Individual Retirement Account.

A Traditional IRA is the most common. The only requirement for this particular IRA is that you are employed and that you invest no more than 100% of your income or $4,000 per year, whichever is greater up to the age of 49.

At the age of 50 your maximum investment is 100% of your income or $5,000 whichever happens to be greater. If you meet the requirements of the IRS to their satisfaction your contributions to your traditional IRA will be tax deductible. As a result, the funds are not taxed while in your IRA account but once the funds are withdrawn they are subject to federal income taxes.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, particularly for those who plan to be in a lower tax bracket when the funds are withdrawn. However, there is a growing number of people who are interested in the benefits that Roth IRAs and similar funds present by paying the taxes now when the rates are known rather than risk an even higher rate of taxation in the future, even in a lower tax bracket. The best advice I can give is to discuss the matter thoroughly with your financial planner and listen to their advice.

This is a case where only you can ultimately decide which decision is best for your needs but he or she can provide valuable guidance. You should also keep in mind that though laws favor non-taxation for Roth contributions that could change between now and the time you are ready to withdraw your funds, which will have you paying double taxes on those funds and is the primary reason that many people elect to stick with Traditional IRAs instead.

There are several distinct disadvantages to the traditional IRA funds. One of those would be the requirements in order to qualify for tax deductions. First of all, if you have the opportunity to invest in another retirement option through your employer you must be below a certain income level in order to qualify for the tax deduction. If you do not meet that qualification all the funds that are deposited into your IRA fund are subject to federal income tax.

You will need to seriously discuss your stock buying strategies before determining if this is the best choice for you as those who buy and hold tend to be penalized when it comes to capital gains.

As we are seeing more and more of an issue. Another serious setback when it comes to the traditional IRA is that you are required to begin receiving payments at age 70.5. As things are currently, a Roth IRA is often preferable as the money isn't immediately tax deductible but not only is the investment not taxed upon withdrawal but neither are the gains that were earned on the investment.

Take the time to discuss your goals for the future with your financial advisor and see what he or she recommends. These differences will matter a great deal when retirement comes. It is important that you decide which of these you are prepared to live with and which you would rather live without. There are advantages and disadvantages to traditional IRAs.

Nonprofit Organizations Benefit From The Adoption Of Fund Accounting Software Solutions

Making do with off-the-shelf software is not the most cost-effective way of reducing operating expenses and makes the job of any nonprofit?s Finance department much more difficult than it needs to be. The success of any nonprofit organization is highly dependent on a sound financial foundation, including quick access to accurate, up-to-date and relevant financial information.

These changes come into effect for the 2008 tax year (for returns filed in 2009), employing a graduated transition period of up to three years for smaller organizations based on their gross receipts and total assets. For example, the IRS released a significantly revised Form 990 on December 20, 2007; the new form provides additional options for a nonprofit organization to outline its activities and includes major changes to the summary page, governance section and schedules. Standard commercial accounting software packages are designed for the needs, workflow and required outputs of profit-based businesses and are not usually an ideal solution for nonprofit use. It?s no secret that nonprofit accounting differs significantly from that employed by typical businesses, and to support effective and accurate accounting practices, specialized nonprofit accounting software can be an invaluable investment.

A good nonprofit-focused accounting solution will both reflect these changes and assist the organization?s finance team in achieving compliance. Many standard accounting packages don?t include the full suite of related forms, let alone offer functionality that supports compliance. An integrated nonprofit software package can help any size of nonprofit to accurately track and report on the key variables relevant to the Form 990 changes: gross receipts and assets.

Outside of taxation issues, one of the fundamental differences between a for-profit business and a nonprofit organization lies in the nature of financial reporting and operational accountability. Most businesses require their Finance department to generate reports that provide a bottom-line view to investors and shareholders: the firm?s profitability and return on investment. Financial practices and supporting software solutions employed by the firm reflect this profit-driven accountability.

Nonprofit organizations, on the other hand, usually employ the principle of fund accounting. Under fund accounting, the success, financial health and general accountability of the organization is measured by fund balances and financial assets and their ability to support the services and programs the organization offers. Fund accounting software is based on these nonprofit-specific accounting principles and provides a nonprofit organization with the financial tools needed to properly track and report on these key criteria. One of the better known software packages for this purpose is MIP Fund Accounting, from Sage Software. Other well known software packages include Serenic Navigator for Not-for-Profits and Kintera FundWare.

For nonprofit organizations, fundraising is the equivalent of selling a product or services for a typical profit-driven organization. Fundraising, whether through a donation campaign or via grant applications, is how a nonprofit generates the revenue required to operate the organization and to fund the various programs and services it offers. Specialized fundraising software such as Sage Fundraising 50 and Sage Fundraising 100 can be an invaluable tool for successfully and accurately managing campaigns. The functionality of specialized integrated solutions of this nature would include access to trend analysis, tracking of results versus goals for specific events (or campaigns), tracking of donor response rates, detailed constituent information, e-mail management tools for targeted communications, efficiency reports allowing a ?cost per dollar raised? analysis, volunteer management components and performance metrics for funds (comparing against previous years, for example). In other words, fundraising for nonprofits can be easily measured, tracked, reported on, supported and analyzed for effective future planning.

A nonprofit with an established accounting program in place can still benefit from the use of donor management software, giving the Development arm of the organization access to key fundraising and organizational tools that are not included in accounting programs.

Big or small, the success, accountability and optimal performance of any nonprofit organization can be greatly enhanced through use of a software solution that has been tailored to the needs of this very specific group.

How To Eliminate Capital Gains Tax

Then, I will provide some details about how it works and conclude with a case study as an example of how someone might use this. First off I will give a short summary of the Capital Gains Elimination Trust (CGET).

Summary:
The Capital Gains Elimination Trust is better known as a Charitable Remainder Trust. How this works is one would deposit highly appreciated assets into the CGET. The trust sells the assets and pays no capital gains tax. You then get to withdraw an income each year from the trust. The withdrawal can be earnings and principal.

Donors can be the trustees of the trust and decide how to invest the trust???s assets. In addition, they get an income tax deduction for their contribution to the trust that is based on the term of the trust, the size of the contribution, the distribution rate, and the assumed earnings on the trust.

At this point, the assets are now removed from their estate, they have paid no tax on the capital gains, and they have a stream of income. The IRS requires at least 10% of the present value to be projected to go to a charity of your choice.

If someone wanted the money to be left to family, they could use part of the money they would have paid taxes on and buy a life insurance policy outside of their estate. Then, their children will still receive as much or more inheritance money, free of income and estate taxes.

A CGET can be used with real estate, stocks, or any other asset with capital gains, and must be unencumbered with debt.

Details:
CGETs are subject to a maze of law and regulation. The failure of a CGET to meet all requirements can result in a trust being disqualified as a Charitable Remainder Trust, with negative income, gift, and federal estate tax consequences. The loss of charitable status would also defeat a donor???s charitable intent.

Some of these requirements involve numerical tests, several of which have long been a part of the qualifying conditions for CRTs. The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA 97).

Pre-TRA 97
 5% probability test (this applies only to charitable remainder annuity trusts)
 5% minimum payment test
TRA act of 1997
 50% payout limitation test
 10% minimum charitable benefit
Relief Provisions
TRA 97 provided several relief provisions for trusts which would meet all CRT requirements, except the 10% minimum charitable benefit requirement. The law provides that a trust may be declared void ab initio (from the beginning). Under this option, no charitable tax deduction is permitted to the donor for the transfer and any income or capital gains created by property transferred to the CRT becomes income and capital gain to the donor.

The new law also allows a donor to reform a trust, by modifying either the annual payout or the term of a CRT (or both), to allow the trust to meet the 10% minimum charitable benefit. Strict time limits have been imposed for this reformation.

Seek Professional Guidance
The laws and regulations surrounding Charitable Remainder Trusts can be complex and confusing. Individuals facing decisions concerning the tax and estate planning implications of a CGET are strongly advised to consult with an attorney.

Case Study:
Beth and John own $1 million of stock that cost $100,000. They realize that their portfolio needs better diversification and would like more income, but they do not want to pay the capital gains tax. They could place the stock in a trust set up by their attorney. The trust would be a tax-free entity and could sell the stock without paying the tax.

Now there is $1 million cash that can be invested. This could go into a balanced portfolio, or an annuity. It doesn???t matter. And Beth and John can make a one-time decision on how much lifetime income they???ll receive from the trust.

The IRS will let Beth and John take an income tax deduction of $417,180 when they do this, as long as at least 10% of the money that originally goes into this trust is left to charity. And since they technically no longer own the $1 million, it is out of their estate, thereby saving their heirs $460,000.

Beth and John are thrilled. They???ll end up with more income, less market risk, and a nice tax deduction. But the kids aren???t so happy. They thought that they were going to get the $1 million. However, a wealth replacement trust would take care of that.

Beth and John take part of their new income and buy a $1 million, second-to-die life insurance policy on their lives. The policy is owned by an irrevocable life insurance trust so the proceeds are removed from their estate. When the survivor dies, the children will receive $1 million tax-free, and the charity will get whatever remains in the trust.

If you ever have questions about planning for your immediate or long-term retirement goals, please feel free to call or send in the enclosed coupon.
Respectfully,
Mark K. Lund, CRFA
Wealth Manager
Stonecreek Wealth Advisors, Inc.
10421 So. Jordan Gateway, Suite 600
So. Jordan, UT 84095
801-545-0696
www.stonecreekwealthadvisors.com
Securities offered through Sammons Securities Company, LLC
Member NASD and SIPC