State Estate Taxes: A Hidden Tax Burden 

State Estate Taxes: A Hidden Tax Burden 

While federal estate taxes often grab headlines, many overlook the significant impact of state estate taxes. These state-level taxes can substantially reduce the value of inherited assets, affecting the beneficiaries and the decedent’s legacy. 

Illinois, where Clearwater Capital Partners is based, is one of 12 states with an estate tax. It is a uniquely difficult tax to avoid and requires careful planning to minimize. 

Read More

Are You Considering Relocating to Another State?

Are You Considering Relocating to Another State?

As I wrote in a 2019 post, the potential impact of future taxes is often an important consideration for retirees when choosing to move to another state.  Besides moving to an area with a warmer climate or closer to family and friends, the goal of minimizing expenses, including taxes, is often at the top of the priority list.

Read More

The Value and Complexity of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

The Value and Complexity of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

For close to ten years, tax law rulings surrounding the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) to a charitable entity have flip-flopped as the tax code has grown and been modified over the years. But in 2015, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act finally made the rules surrounding the QCD permanent, allowing individuals to give charitably while also minimizing income taxes from the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

Read More