The ultra-wealthy have been preparing for potential tax increases if Democratic nominee Joe Biden were to win the election – and there are some tangible ways advisers can help clients mitigate losses. There are two proposals in particular that have caused concern among the country’s richest households, lowering the basic exclusion amount for the estate tax and raising the long-term capital gains tax rate. Biden’s plan would tax long-term capital gains at the same rate as ordinary...

As the coronavirus pandemic sets some Americans back in their retirement planning, more people say they plan to rely on Social Security and Medicare to help fund their living expenses. About 81% of workers who have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus outbreak said the situation has reinforced how important the programs will be for their retirement, according to the 2020 Wells Fargo Retirement study conducted by The Harris Poll in August. Most people expect income from Social Security...

Key financial aid forms are now available to high school students and their families, and experts urge people to fill them out – even if they don’t think they will qualify. The 2020–21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process opened on Thursday – and the government encourages high school seniors to fill it out as soon as possible in order to obtain aid. Each year the Department of Education awards about $120 billion in grants, loans and other funds to help millions...

The IRS may update its Form 1040 to make sure all taxpayers who engage in cryptocurrency transactions report them. A draft of the 2020 tax form includes a question asking taxpayers whether they have sold, received, sent, exchanged or otherwise acquired any financial interest in virtual currency during 2020 in a more visible position. Filers would be able to check either a yes or no box. The adjustment was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, which noted the question was in a...

Tax hikes on the wealthy are being considered by lawmakers in a handful of states as governments struggle to figure out how to fill coronavirus-related budget deficits. New Jersey made headlines last week after state lawmakers approved a spending plan that included a marginal tax increase on individuals with incomes above $1 million. But it is not the only state seeking to raise revenues by asking the rich to pay more. A handful of other states are considering various proposals to tax the...