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NKSFBTax Insights

An exception involving a “spousal” IRA can help married couples with one working spouse save better for retirement.

Are You Married and Not Earning Compensation? You May Be Able to Put Money in an IRA

When one spouse in a married couple is not earning compensation, the couple may not be able to save as much as they need for a comfortable retirement. In general, an IRA contribution is allowed only if a taxpayer earns compensation. However, there’s an exception involving a “spousal” IRA. It allows contributions to be made for a spouse who is out of work or who stays home to care for children, elderly parents or for other reasons, as long as the couple files a joint tax return.

High-income taxpayers face additional taxes in addition to base income tax. Fortunately, there are some ways you may be able to reduce its impact.

Reduce the Impact of the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax

High-income taxpayers face a regular income tax rate of 35% or 37%. And they may also have to pay a 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) that’s imposed in addition to regular income tax. Fortunately, there are some ways you may be able to reduce its impact.

Corporate business owners can help ensure compensation is “reasonable” under the tax laws.

Four Ways Corporate Business Owners Can Help Ensure Their Compensation Is “Reasonable”

If you’re the owner of an incorporated business, you know there’s a tax advantage to taking money out of a C corporation as compensation rather than as dividends. The reason: A corporation can deduct the salaries and bonuses that it pays executives, but not dividend payments. Therefore, if funds are paid as dividends, they’re taxed twice, once to the corporation and once to the recipient. Money paid out as compensation is only taxed once — to the employee who receives it.

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