Compare an old 401(k), a new employer plan, and an IRA before moving money. See the fee, tax, access, and rollover rules that can change the decision.
401(k) Rollover to IRA: Taxes, Fees, and When Not to Move the Money Read More »
Fill in your 2026 contribution amounts and work through employee deferral, annual-additions, catch-up, Roth catch-up, and employer-scope checks step by step.
401k Contribution Limits: Employee, Employer, and Catch-Up Rules Read More »
Qualified dividends can receive lower federal tax rates, but an amount in Form 1099-DIV Box 1b does not automatically settle the question. Box 1b is already included in Box 1a, and your own holding period can still change how much qualifies. Before looking at the 2026 tax-rate table, answer two questions first: was the dividend
Qualified Dividends: When You Get Lower Tax Rates (and When You Don’t) Read More »
2026 Roth IRA contribution limits are $7,500, or $8,600 at age 50+. Check the income phaseouts, April 15, 2027 deadline, and calculate how much you can contribute directly.
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026: Phaseouts, Deadline, and What Counts Read More »
The highest-basis lot is not always the cheapest lot to sell. Suppose you own two 100-share lots of the same stock. You bought the older lot at $40 per share and the newer lot at $70. The stock is now $100. Selling the $70 lot creates only a $3,000 gain, versus $6,000 on the $40
FIFO Stock Sales vs. Specific Identification: Which Tax Lots Should You Sell? Read More »
📅 Rule basis reviewed: August 18, 2026 The wash sale rule can disallow a stock or securities loss even when you never buy the investment back in the same taxable account. Sell an ETF at a $1,000 loss, then have the same ETF bought 12 days later in your Roth IRA, and the transaction can
Wash Sale Rule: 30-Day Timing, Replacement Shares, ETFs, and IRA Traps Read More »
📅 Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 Mutual fund capital gains distributions can create a current tax bill even if you never sold your fund shares. For a new taxable account purchase near year-end, check whether the fund is about to pay a meaningful distribution. If you already own the fund, that timing check is not
Mutual Fund Capital Gains Distributions: Taxes and Year-End Timing Read More »
Capital gains tax on stocks starts with the sale, not the rate table. For a taxable stock sale, first find your adjusted basis and holding period. Then net the year’s capital gains and losses and choose the filing path. Apply the current-year capital-gains rate and any Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) only after those steps.
Capital Gains Tax on Stocks: Short-Term, Long-Term, and Cost Basis Rules Read More »
HYSA, money market funds, and T-bills quote yield differently. Put them on the same cash horizon, compare after-tax dollars, and see when a higher yield is actually worth switching for.
HYSA vs. Money Market Fund: Where T-Bills Fit Read More »
📅 Updated: August 8, 2026 SIPC vs FDIC coverage depends on what failed and where the asset is actually held, not the account wrapper. SIPC can protect missing customer cash or securities when a SIPC-member broker fails, while FDIC insures eligible deposits when an insured bank fails. This matters most for brokerage cash sweeps because
SIPC vs. FDIC: Which Protection Applies to Your Money? Read More »
