How To Avoid Paying Taxes On Retirement Income: Expert Advice

by | Mar 29, 2023

Retirement should be a time of ultimate relaxation and financial stability, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

With taxes increasing yearly, many retirees feel overwhelmed with managing their retirement income best while avoiding hefty tax payments.

The good news is that it’s possible to minimize taxes burden during retirement significantly–all you need is expert advice!

In this blog post, we’ll cover the different strategies for minimizing tax laws on your future retirement income so that you can keep as much of it for yourself as possible.

Multiple methods are available, from proper planning to utilizing available deductions and credits.

Read on to learn everything you need about maximizing your post-retirement finances without getting unsuspecting penalties from the IRS!

Live In A Tax-Friendly State

In certain states, taxes on income and Social Security are not imposed. Nine states have opted not to tax any income whatsoever.

These locations are significantly tax-friendly than other states, which still levy charges in one or both categories.

Furthermore, the absence of such taxes could provide an attractive financial incentive for individuals to move there and enjoy a greater degree of economic freedom.

Since retirement can free you from having to remain in a certain geographic location, it may be beneficial to relocate to an area where your state government won’t take as much of your tax money.

Moving can help reduce the taxes you owe and give you more financial freedom since you don’t have to worry about being tied down with a job.

By carefully considering where you move, you could save money and enjoy increased flexibility over your finances after retiring.

Make Strategic Withdrawals

By reaching 72, you must start taking out money from your retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs in the form of required minimum distributions (RMDs), which will have some tax benefits.

The amount of your RMDs is calculated using factors like your current age and balance in the account.

It’s important to note that failure to take these tax-free withdrawals can result in a hefty penalty.

However, beyond the regulations, you have much autonomy regarding when and how much to take from your accounts.

If there is a year when you anticipate that your income will be lower than usual, it may be advantageous to withdraw larger sums of money before taxes to benefit from being taxed at a more reduced rate.

Choose Tax-Free Investments

Retirees often shift some of their retirement savings into bonds to reduce risk and ensure a suitable degree of safety as they progress through the later years of life.

This strategy can help them preserve their wealth while providing a steady income stream not subject to rapid market fluctuations.

Investors may want to explore investing in Treasury and municipal bonds, as both have unique tax advantages.

Municipal bonds are exempt from taxation at the federal level, whereas treasury bonds generally do not incur taxes from state and local authorities.

As such, incorporating these types of investments into your portfolio can greatly minimize your taxable income and potentially increase your overall return on investment.

Ultimately, it is important to assess whether either option fits into your financial goals before making any decisions.

Invest In Roth Accounts

Distributions from Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA accounts are not subject to taxation when you withdraw the money during retirement.

These accounts allow you to take out as much money as desired without being liable for any taxes, provided that you comply with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and regulations.

It is important to note that while the withdrawals are tax-free, contributions made into these accounts are made on an after-tax basis.

If you want to ensure that you won’t have to stress about taxes in your retirement years, it is wise to use certain accounts as the main sources of your retirement savings.

These could include IRAs and 401K plans, for example. It is wise to put at least a portion of your retirement money into these accounts throughout your working life to minimize the taxes that will be due once you reach retirement age.

Doing so can help ensure that your future tax bills are significantly reduced.

Invest For The Long Term

Investment income can be subjected to taxable accounts based on either short-term or long-term capital gains and ordinary income tax rates, depending on the length of time that the investment has been held.

Generally speaking, if an individual has held their investment for at least one year and one day, any profits from it will be taxed much lower than those generated by short-term investments.

Take Advantage Of The Saver’s Credit

Retirement savers who earn up to $36,500 for individuals, $54,750 for heads of household, and $73,000 for married couples in 2023 can take advantage of the saver’s credit if they contribute to a 401(k) or IRA.

This is an incredibly beneficial opportunity for those with low-to-moderate incomes looking to save money for retirement.

The saver’s credit is designed to reward and encourage people with these incomes to make regular contributions towards their retirement savings goals.

The saver’s credit is a valuable tax benefit for those who contribute to their retirement account.

It can be claimed on contributions of up to $2,000 ($4,000 for couples) and offers an incentive in the form of a percentage-based credit worth 10% and 50% of the amount contributed.

Those with lower incomes can receive an even bigger credit than those with higher-income earners.

The saver’s credit can be claimed as an extra benefit on top of the tax deduction for contributing to a traditional retirement account.

This additional incentive is designed to help individuals and families save for their future financial security, providing them with a powerful tool to reduce their overall tax burden.

Avoid The Early Withdrawal Penalty

Withdrawals taken from an IRA or 401(k) before the age of 59 1/2 and 55 are usually subject to a hefty 10% tax penalty.

However, should you need to access these funds prematurely, certain methods may be employed to evade this financial punishment.

Some options include taking regular distributions from your 401(k) after leaving employment, using funds for qualified educational expenses or medical bills, making certain qualified charitable distributions, or if you are disabled or have been affected by a natural disaster.

You may not be penalized if you opt for an early withdrawal and use the money to cover a range of specified purchases.

Some of these include but are not limited to IRA distributions that are used to pay taxes for college tuition, a first-time home purchase of up to $10,000, unusually high healthcare costs or health insurance coverage after experiencing unemployment.

Suppose you own a Roth IRA that has been open for at least five years.

In that case, you can withdraw the funds you initially contributed without incurring any early withdrawal penalties. However, any earnings on these investments can only be taken out without triggering the penalty.

Conclusion

Retirement planning is a complex process that can be overwhelming for many.

It involves understanding the tax implications of different income sources and carefully considering which options work best for your situation.

With a sensible approach and professional advice, however, you can successfully navigate retirement on your terms while avoiding costly taxes on retirement income.

Remember to take advantage of the Saver’s Credit, invest in Roth accounts whenever possible, make strategic withdrawals only when necessary—and consult a knowledgeable financial advisor if you ever get stuck.

Getting your retirement investments right now can mean greater protection and flexibility in the future, so there’s always a good reason to plan responsibly.

Take charge of your finances today and start preparing for a secure future!

Author

  • Scott Hall

    Scott realized about 5 years ago that he was woefully behind on retirement savings and needed to catch up. He began writing about it on Assets.net

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