Wealth Advisory
From the Desk of Jonathan Bloom
On the Desk This time of year, we have an opportunity to step back and understand how things are progressing with your financial plan. Between interest rates, inflation, market volatility, and year end on approach, there is plenty to consider and still time to make strategic adjustments. It brings to mind one of my favorite […]
From the Desk of Kevin Hodson
On the Desk The Federal Reserve just concluded their most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on 9/20. In the post-meeting presser Wednesday afternoon, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that the Fed is “close to done raising interest rates.” However, they’re not about to ease up on the Federal Funds Rate which presently stands at 5.25% […]
From the Desk of Andy Hammond
On the Desk The last few months of the year are always a busy time. We’re helping our clients with year-end planning, tax strategies, and budgeting that comes into play with 2024 just around the corner. Last year, the name of the game was tax loss harvesting, and we still have room to be strategic […]
Asset Protection Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Asset protection strategies can form a legal and financial separation between professional and personal assets. This can limit your personal liability should a legal or creditor claim be made against your business, rental property, or professional practice. Asset protection strategies can also be designed to safeguard assets during a divorce and can notably enhance your […]
IRS Postpones RMD Penalties for Inherited Retirement Accounts
AAFCPAs and AAF Wealth Management would like to make clients aware that the IRS has issued penalty relief in 2023 for individuals who have not carried forward required minimum distributions (RMDs) on inherited retirement accounts. This guidance applies only to accounts inherited by non-spouse heirs where the decedent had been taking RMDs. Confusion arose in […]
Recent Ruling Elevates Privacy of Holdings in Massachusetts Trusts
AAFCPAs and AAF Wealth Management would like to make clients aware of a recent ruling that makes Massachusetts an attractive jurisdiction for clients looking to create a trust for future generations while still keeping its holdings private. This could be especially beneficial for older generations looking to create a trust for younger generations without disclosing […]
Federal Financial Aid Eliminates Sibling Discount in 2024-2025
A change to the federal financial aid formula arising from The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 is set to eliminate a break that previously helped parents with two or more children in college. Currently, the Education Department divides the expected family contribution by the number of students attending college per family to determine student aid […]
U.S. Long-term Foreign Currency Debt Rating Downgraded to AA+ by Fitch Ratings
AAF Wealth Management would like to make clients aware that Fitch Ratings announced a downgrade to its U.S. long-term foreign currency debt rating from AAA to AA+ over concerns with a growing U.S. budget deficit and an erosion of U.S. governance relative to comparably rated peers throughout the past two decades, which led to repeated […]
Massachusetts Offers Charitable Contribution Deduction
As of January 1, 2023, all Massachusetts taxpayers may now deduct charitable contributions on their state return. If you cannot itemize and receive a deduction for charitable contributions on your federal return, you will still be eligible to receive a deduction on your state return. The new deduction is available for contributions made to qualifying […]