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Tax Credits for Retirement Savings
It is a well-known fact that Americans are miserable failures when it comes to saving for retirement. Well, the government is offering tax credits to change this for some of us.
Tax Credits for Retirement Savings
Social security is going to be under siege as baby boomers hit retirements. Fortunately, many baby boomers have put away piles of cash in 401ks and IRAs. Regardless, most people fail to do all they can in this regard. In an attempt to motivate us taxpayers to save as much as we can for retirement, Uncle Sam is dangling tax credits before us like the proverbial carrot.
The tax credit in question is the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit. Qualify for it and you may be eligible to take a credit of $1,000 for singles and $2,000 if you’re filing jointly. The credit is eligible for those that make contributions to 401ks and retirement vehicles. The amount of the credit is determined on a sliding scale based on how much you make and contribute.
You can claim the retirement savings tax credit:
1. Individual taxpayers with incomes of $25,000 or less.
2. Individual taxpayers that are head of households and make $37,500 or less.
3. Married couples filing jointly who make $50,000 or less cumulatively.
There are some very minor restrictions regarding who is eligible for the tax credit. First, you have to be older than 18. Second, you can’t be a full time student. Finally,
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Question: I'm within five years of retirement and currently have about 35% of my investments in bond funds. With rising interest rates a likely scenario, how do I stay diversified without exposing myself to a "bond bubble"? -- John Clay, East Helena, Montana Publ.Date : Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:11:36 EDT
Caring for an ailing or aging parent is never easy, but the challenges only multiply when Mom and Dad live far away. Publ.Date : Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:12:04 EDT
Question: Looking into the future of the American economy, I see tons of debt, the yoke of increasing social spending, pork-fed bureaucratic waste, the exporting of jobs and the importing of poverty. While this may paint a negative picture, I feel it's reality. We all want to be patriotic, but aren't there more fiscally responsible places to invest in that may offer a better landscape? --Dave, Bethlehem, Penn. Publ.Date : Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:08:11 EDT
Question: I've been trying to be a little more thrifty lately. I realize that a lot of the luxuries Americans have are "wants" not "needs." Basically, I'd like to balance my household budget so I don't end up with just $30 at the end of the month. I'd even like to start building some savings. Any suggestions? --Kim, Idaho Falls, Idaho Publ.Date : Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:35:31 EDT
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another dependent can’t claim you as a dependent on their tax returns.
Importantly, this tax credit is in addition to other tax advantages you gain from piling money into a retirement account. With a 401k, for instance, you can pound in pre-tax earnings, which cuts down your adjusted gross income for the tax year. Once you figure out your taxes, you can then deduct another $1,000 or so for the tax credit. Put another way, saving for your retirement is a no brainer.
The federal government is practically begging you to put away money for retirement. With this tax credit, there is absolutely no reason to fail to comply.
Catalogue: Finance | Taxes Title: Tax Credits for Retirement Savings By: Richard A. Chapo
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