2024 Financial Outlook: Taxes and Retirement

In October of each year, taxpayers typically anticipate the release of the IRS tax bands for each bracket. However, this year, the eagerly awaited information was not released until November 9th. It's crucial to distinguish between brackets and bands, with the former being a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The current brackets stand at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. Notably, these brackets are slated to expire at the close of 2025, at which point the previous tax brackets are expected to take effect, with rates of 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%, and 39.7%, unless congressional intervention occurs. Unlike brackets, tax bands undergo annual adjustments to account for inflation and reflect changes in income for the respective year. Now, let's review some of the modifications currently in place.

Source: IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024, IR-2023-208, Nov. 9, 2023

​Deductions
Every filing status comes with a standard deduction, complemented by additional deductions available for use in the upcoming tax year. For the current year, the inflation adjustments affecting the standard deduction and annual gifts are outlined below. As you can see, the annual exclusion for gifts is set to rise to $18,000 for the calendar year 2024.

Source: IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024, IR-2023-208, Nov. 9, 2023

​Contribution Limitations
Leveraging retirement contributions presents a valuable opportunity to minimize your taxable liabilities, provided you meet the qualifying criteria. Notice the recent adjustments to IRA/Roth phase-out limits, now set at $123,000 to $143,000 for those filing jointly, and $77,000 to $87,000 for single filers. Strategically allocating funds towards retirement savings, coupled with a committed adherence to a budget, stands out as a strong approach to securing your financial success.

Source: IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024, IR-2023-208, Nov. 9, 2023

Takeaways
Ensuring effective planning is key as you approach the upcoming year and here are some important takeaways:
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1. Project Your Income: Accurately estimate your income for the year.
2. Establish Spending Expectations: Set clear spending expectations to align with your financial goals.
3. Maximize Pre-tax Savings: Save as much as possible in tax-advantaged vehicles to optimize your financial strategy.
4. Minimize Tax Liability: Strive to reduce your tax liability through strategic financial decisions.

In an ideal scenario, especially for those aged 50 and above with a family high-deductible health plan featuring a Health Savings Account (HSA), there's an opportunity to contribute up to $46,800 and potentially adjust your marginal tax rate by 10%.

It's crucial to consult with a tax advisor to tailor a plan to your unique circumstances. These insights serve as tools for your discussions with them. Keep in mind, these approaches and methods are only a few ways in which I help families grow their savings. Collaborating with professionals ensures that your goals remain aligned and provides a comprehensive strategy for your financial success.

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