We’ve had a few years now to get familiar with the Medicare payroll tax and surtax that went into effect at the beginning of 2013. If you need a reminder, taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $200,000 for individuals or $250,000 for couples filing jointly face a 3.8% surtax on net investment income or the amount of MAGI that exceeds the thresholds prescribed for high-income taxpayers. The second 0.9% Medicare payroll tax applies to wages and self-employment income over the same MAGI thresholds. And while we may have become more used to the higher tax, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look to smart planning to avoid overpaying. Speak with us, along with your accountant or tax advisor, to identify and implement the strategies that are most advantageous for your situation. Clever strategies can assist high-income earners reduce their Medicare taxes and overall tax bill. Here are some options to consider:
Improve Your Portfolio’s Tax Efficiency
To get a sense of your annual tax liability and take steps to add more tax-efficient investments, review your portfolio’s turnover ratio (the percentage of your holdings that have been replaced in a given year) and historical distributions. Then work with us or your advisor to evaluate your investments and after-tax returns. Other steps that may help to reduce taxes include tax-loss harvesting – selling securities at a loss to offset capital gains taxes and rebalancing* your portfolio to include more tax-advantaged investments such as municipal bonds, especially in higher tax brackets.
Capitalize on Employer Benefits
If your employer offers a salary deferral plan like a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, 403(b) or 457 plan, maximize your contributions to reduce your adjusted gross income and taxes over the long term. Similarly, if you’re eligible, maximize contributions to an employer supplemental employee retirement plan (SERP) to reduce your taxable income now and defer the compensation into later years when your tax rate may be lower. One often overlooked benefit is an employer health savings plan or flexible spending account. Contributions use pre-tax dollars, reducing your taxable income.
Develop a Charitable Giving Plan
Charitable giving can reduce your tax burden and also provide a sense of satisfaction by benefitting your favorite causes. Consider:
- Giving appreciated securities to avoid capital gains, which increase your net investment income
- Establishing a donor-advised fund to make future donations and claim the current income tax deduction
- Contributing highly appreciated assets to a charitable remainder trust (CRT) to defer recognition of income over time
While these tax planning strategies may help you to reduce Medicare taxes and your overall tax bill, don’t lose sight of your risk tolerance and long-term financial goals. If used judiciously, these strategies can help you achieve those goals, but only if deployed within the context of your overall financial picture.
*The process of rebalancing may result in tax consequences. While interest on municipal bonds is generally exempt from federal income tax, it may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, or state or local taxes. Profits and losses on federally tax-exempt bonds may be subject to capital gains tax treatment. In addition, certain municipal bonds (such as Build America Bonds) are issued without a federal tax exemption, which subjects the related interest income to federal income tax. Withdrawals from qualified accounts may be subject to income taxes, and prior to age 59½ a 10% federal penalty tax may apply.
If you have any questions, please give Garry Kachkovsky a call at 858-450-9711 or email him at garry@kachkovskyandfisher.com.
Post sponsored by Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Garry Kachkovsky. If you have questions regarding financial planning or investment management, give Garry a call at 858-450-9711 or email at garry@kachkovskyandfisher.com. For more information, visit http://www.kachkovskyandfisher.com/
Kachkovsky & Fisher is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm. This information is general in nature, is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision, and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investments and strategies mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses associated with savings plans before investing.
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