The legislation includes a number of proposals aimed at supporting small businesses.¹ For those hit hard due to forced closures and a sharp downturn in foot traffic, this bill may provide some relief.

What Does the Package Include?

American small businesses are supported by the recently passed CARES Act in the following ways:

• A $350 billion forgivable loan program (The Paycheck Protection Program) designed to encourage small businesses from laying off employees.
• A delay in employer-side payroll taxes for Social Security until 2021 and 2022.
• 50 percent refundable payroll tax credit on worker wages to incentivize businesses, including those with fewer than 500 employees, to retain their current workforce.
• Sole proprietors and other self-employed workers may be eligible for the expanded unemployment insurance benefits the bill provides.
• A portion of the $425 billion in funds appropriated for the Federal Reserve’s credit facilities will target small businesses.²

How Does the $350 Billion Paycheck Protection Program Work?

Under the stimulus package, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will oversee the Paycheck Protection Program. This program will distribute $350 billion to small businesses that meet certain requirements, and the loans will be made available to companies with 500 or fewer employees.³ 

Businesses can receive loans up to $10 million, and these loans will be administered by banks and other lenders. Additionally, the Paycheck Protection loans will carry a maximum interest rate of up to just four percent.²

Currently, the SBA guarantees small business loans that are distributed by a network of more than 800 lenders across the country. The program creates a form of emergency loan that has the potential to be forgiven when used to maintain payroll through June of 2020. In order for the above amounts to be forgiven, the business must maintain the same number of employees (equivalents) in the eight weeks following the date of origination of the loan as it did from either February 15, 2019 through June 30, 2019, or from January 1, 2020 through February 29, 2020.¹ The program also expands the network beyond the SBA so that more banks, credit unions and lenders can issue the appropriate loans.

If your business uses the loan funds for the approved purposes and maintains the average size of your full-time workforce based on when you received the loan, the principal loan will be forgiven, meaning you will only need to pay back the interest accrued.² The primary purpose of these loans is to incentivize small businesses to refrain from laying off workers and ultimately rehire laid-off employees that have already lost jobs due to COVID-19.

What Types of Businesses Are Eligible For The Paycheck Protection Program?

The Paycheck Protection Program offers loans for small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, 501(c)(3) nonprofits with fewer than 500 workers and some 501(c)(19) veteran organizations. Food service businesses are also eligible if they employ fewer than 500 people per physical location.¹ 

Self-employed individuals, sole proprietors and freelance or gig economy workers are also eligible to apply for financial assistance during this time. Even without a personal guarantee or collateral, businesses that are struggling can receive a loan as long as they were operational on February 15, 2020.²

Eligible borrowers are required to make a good-faith certification that the loan is necessary due to the uncertainty of current economic conditions caused by COVID-19.

How Do I Get a Payroll Protection Loan?

The loan program will provide loans through SBA-approved private lenders. As banks are currently working on implementing this program, it’s important to check with your local bank to see where they’re at in the process. Those that are already approved by the Small Business Association may be quicker to put the loan program into place.

As a small business owner or self-employed individual, it’s always important to be aware of your options during challenging times. By using some of the new programs recently enacted, and the promise of keeping your workers employed, your small business can continue to thrive.

As always, if you have any questions related to The Paycheck Protection Program or if you have other concerns, please reach out – we are here for you!

1. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text
2. https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/CARES%20Section-by-Section%20FINAL.PDF
3. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821457551/whats-inside-the-senate-s-2-trillion-coronavirus-aid-package

As part of the CARES Act, some of the rules about taking money out of your 401(k) are being temporarily lifted to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. While the added flexibility may help some ride out the crisis, there is some concern that some might be tempted to take out huge sums now—and, as a result, either put their eventual retirements in jeopardy or possibly leave themselves with a big tax bill.

Here is some important information regarding what has changed and how to approach your 401(k) as it relates to these changes.

What is a coronavirus-related 401(k) distribution? Is it really a no-penalty withdrawal?

One provision of the CARES Act relaxes the rules for taking money from your 401(k). Investors of any age can take out a “coronavirus-related distribution” of as much as $100,000 (or up to 100% of the balance) without paying early withdrawal penalties. The act also increases the maximum “loan” from your 401k to this amount (previously that was limited to $50,000 or 50% of an employee’s balance).

Who is eligible for a 401(k) coronavirus-related distribution?

Your company’s 401(k) plan sponsor will determine whether coronavirus-related distributions will be permitted, whether you meet the criteria for this type of distribution, and whether the amount you request fits the hardship you are facing.  Anyone who has contracted the virus, has had a spouse or a dependent contract the virus, or has experienced financial hardship because of it, would be considered eligible.

Is a coronavirus-related 401(k) distribution a loan?

No. Unlike a 401(k) loan that must be repaid, a coronavirus-related distribution does not need to be repaid. Employees can repay the distribution within three years without regard to annual contribution limits for their 401(k) plans, and that the repayment does not need to be made all at once. Any repayment of the distribution would be treated as a “rollover contribution” to the plan. But, any employee who takes a coronavirus-related distribution and does not pay it back will owe tax on the amount, through they will be able to pay the taxes owed over a three-year period.

Is it a good idea to take this new 401(k) distribution?

You should only take distribution from your 401(k) now if it’s your only option. The point of a 401(k) is that you are investing the money over a long-term period, so that the power of compound interest works in your favor throughout your career. So, since you’ll likely have to liquidate stocks to take money out now, this means selling when the market is down significantly.

Should I take my regular 401(k) distribution this year?

Another major provision under the CARES Act, is that required minimum distributions (RMDs) have been waived this year. If you can afford it, you should take advantage of not taking the distribution this year.

What if I take a 401(k) coronavirus-related distribution and then get laid off or furloughed?

Typically, if you take a loan from your 401(k) and then leave your company, you usually have to pay the money back immediately, or else it is considered a taxable distribution. But under the CARES Act, if an employee takes a coronavirus-related distribution and then leaves the company, the employee would not have to pay the distribution back.

If you are laid off, furloughed, or your hours are cut, you can only contribute to your 410(k) if you are still getting a paycheck. Also, if employees are being paid emergency sick leave or expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), those payments are eligible for salary reduction contributions to a 401(k) plan.

How is a 401(k) coronavirus-related distribution different from a hardship distribution?

Most plans allow for “hardship distributions” in, say, the case of a major medical event. But these differ from the current coronavirus-related distributions since they are taxed in the year taken, cannot be repaid to the plan, and are limited to the amount necessary to meet the financial need.

Should I keep contributing to my 401(k)?

If you can keep up contributions—or even increase them—during this time, you should.

What are the 401(k) contribution limits for 2020?

At the end of last year, the IRS announced that for 2020, the maximum contribution for individuals in 2020 would be raised to $19,500. The so-called “catch-up” contribution for employees age 50 and over was raised to $6,500. The limits on annual contributions to an IRA remained unchanged at $6,000 per year.

Does my employer have to keep providing a 401(k) contribution match?

There’s nothing in the CARES Act that addresses this.  Employers can amend their 401(k) plans to stop making matching contributions and they should promptly notify employees of any changes.

If you have any questions relating to your 401(k) or have other concerns about your finances, please feel free to call us – we’re here for you during these challenging times.

The $2 trillion economic relief plan impacts almost every layer of American life, including your retirement plan.

Here are some important components all workers currently saving for retirement and retirees need to know.

Required Minimum Distributions are suspended for 2020 for IRA’s and workplace plans.

The formulas for these distributions were calculated on 12/31 when the market was much higher than it is currently, so investors would have been forced to sell stocks that had substantially depreciated. RMD’s are typically mandatory, but not in 2020.  The suspension gives additional time for the market to potentially recover.

The new rule even enables those over the age of 72 who are more fortunate and have significant outside assets to avoid their forced distributions as well.

At this moment, it’s unclear if inherited/beneficiary IRA RMDS are suspended since the IRS has yet to give definitive guidance on this issue.

Up to $100,000 will be allowed to be withdrawn penalty-free from workplace or I.R.A. accounts

The package eliminates the 10% penalty for individuals under 59 1/2. Regular income taxes still need to be paid on withdrawals but can be spread out over three years from the date of the original withdrawal.

Another benefit is that you can reimburse your withdrawals before the three years are up. This amount is far above the standard contribution rates. Usually, it’s a bad idea to prematurely withdraw funds from a retirement account, but if a matter of survival, this may serve as a lifesaver for many people as a bridge loan until the economy rebounds.

This carve-out only applies to coronavirus-related withdrawals. According to the New York Times:

You qualify if you tested positive, a spouse or dependent did or you experienced a variety of other negative economic consequences related to the pandemic. Employers can allow workers to self-certify that they are qualified to pull money from a workplace retirement account.

Borrowing limits have been increased for workplace plans

The limit has been increased from $50,000 to $100,000 for 180 days after the bill passes. In order to take this loan, you’ll need to prove that your life has been affected by the Coronavirus. In addition, if you already have a current balance and were obligated to pay it back by 12/31 you’ll get an additional year, but you can’t borrow from your IRA.

Source: Financial Planning

The stimulus package created many new possibilities for leveraging retirement accounts – especially for families desperate for funds to keep a small business alive or cover loss of employment.  For those that might be ok financially, this package offers additional tax planning strategies.  If you have any questions relating to your retirement funds or other financial questions during these challenging times, please give us a call.

The recent stimulus package recently passed by  Congress gives most federal student loan borrowers a six-month break from payments. It comes after a series of announcements by the U.S. Department of Education meant to alleviate student loan stress. The new law takes that relief even further.  The biggest break is that you can stop making payments on most federal student loans for six months — from April through September — and no new interest will accrue. That means, at the end of those six months, you’ll owe exactly what you did at the start.  Congress didn’t wipe out any of your student debt, but it gave everyone a six-month payment holiday, regardless of how much they have or haven’t been hurt by the current wave of layoffs and closings designed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.  In addition, the stimulus package expands on and supersedes earlier relief programs Specifically, here’s how the new stimulus affects your student loans, and what to do if you’re in each of the situations below.

1. If You’re Current But Likely To Fall Behind

Even if you are able to pay your bill currently, but you’re concerned about losing income or affording payments in the next few months, you should take advantage of automatic student loan forbearance starting now.  Use it to build an emergency fund so that you can put it toward other essentials like food and housing in the future if necessary.

2. If You’re Working Toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The stimulus bill updates certain details regarding Public Service Loan Forgiveness. If you don’t make payments until Sept. 30, those months will still count toward your Public Service Loan Forgiveness timeline. That means you won’t have to make payments for extra months, past the time you planned to get forgiveness so even if you can keep paying loans, it doesn’t make sense to do so. If and when you do qualify for PSLF, you’ll receive forgiveness on the outstanding balance without needing to pay income tax on the amount forgiven.

3. If You’re Current On Student Loan Payments And Your Income Is Secure

You don’t have to make payments right now, but since new interest won’t accrue, any payments you do make will be turbocharged. More of your payment will go toward your principal balance, helping you pay off the loan faster. If you’re not concerned about your income or shoring up savings at the moment, your best bet is to continue making payments while you can.

4. If You’re Behind On Student Loan Payments

Borrowers who were more than 31 days behind on their loans receive automatic forbearance and now your payments are automatically postponed until Sept. 30. You don’t need to ask for forbearance from your student loan servicer, but it’s a smart idea to check your online account soon to make sure they’ve updated their records. Interest won’t accrue during this period. 

The U.S. Department of Education has also announced that:

• Collections activities will be paused, meaning you shouldn’t receive calls or letters about a federal loan in default that a private company is now collecting on.
• The government will not withhold your pay, your tax refund or your Social Security payment — known as Treasury offsets — for at least 60 days if you’re in default, starting from March 13. 
• If you’re in a rehabilitation program to get out of default, which requires you to make nine on-time student loan payments in 10 months, the clock doesn’t stop on your payment arrangement. Even if you don’t make payments for the next six months, those months will still be counted toward your rehabilitation timeline.

If you’re worried you’ll need help after the pause on payments has ended, you can sign up for an income-driven repayment plan to limit your monthly bill to a percentage of your income for as long as you need to. You’ll also get forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments, and you’ll pay income tax on the forgiven balance. 

5. If You’re A Parent With Student Loans On Behalf Of A Child

If you took out federal direct PLUS loans to help your child pay for college, these are included as part of the stimulus package’s relief offerings. That means your payments will be suspended automatically until Sept. 30. 

If you can continue to make payments, you’ll benefit from the fact that new interest isn’t being charged during this six month period. That means all payments you make during this period go directly toward your principal balance, potentially helping you pay off your loan quicker. 

6. If You Have Commercially-Held FFEL Or School-Held Perkins Loans

Only loans held by the U.S. Department of Education qualify for relief in the stimulus package, including the interest waiver and payment suspension. Loans from the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program that are owned by private entities, and Perkins loans owned by colleges, don’t qualify. 

However, you can consolidate these loans into a direct consolidation loan in order to access stimulus benefits. Consolidating also lets you take advantage of income-driven repayment if you need it in the future. But if you have Perkins loans, that means giving up access to certain forgiveness programs for public service workers and other benefits. Weigh the pros and cons before consolidating.

7. If You Have Private Student Loans

The federal relief programs DO NOT apply to borrowers with private student loans. That means it’s up to you to call your lender and ask about loan modification programs, which many offer. 

If you’re at risk of falling behind on loan payments, request help from your lender as soon as possible. You can ask about options for reducing or pausing payments and waiving late fees. 

8. If You Don’t Know Where To Start

It is most important to know what type of student loans you have so you know whether you can confidently stop making payments or not. Most student loans are federally held, so if you’re unsure, start by signing in to StudentAid.gov with your Federal Student Aid ID, or create an account. 

If you know you have student loans but they’re not listed there, the loans may be private. All your loans will be listed on your credit report, so if not listed on StudentAid.gov, they are likely private. You can check your credit report for free once a year from each of the three main credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.

As always, if you have any questions relating to your student loans or any other aspects of your current financial situation, feel free to set up a call.

To help prevent further spread of COVID-19, there’s a consensus that Americans need to stay home and adhere to social distancing practices. This is especially recommended if one feels sick or has a suspected or confirmed case of the virus. As directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s important to self-quarantine and be mindful of personal hygiene, such as washing your hands and the like. Our health and the health of the nation is top of mind, but the question remains: will U.S. workers still get paid if they stay home?

Roughly 25 percent of U.S. workers currently receive little to no paid sick leave, many of which are low-wage employees who depend on their paychecks.¹ On March 18, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which intends to give paid leave to workers who did not have it and extend paid leave for workers who only received a few days. These benefits are only temporary, but they allow certain employees to receive paid leave if they need to take time off from work, due to the present virus.

Understanding the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The recently passed bill allows qualified employees two weeks of paid sick leave if they are sick, quarantined or seeking a diagnosis or preventative care for COVID-19, or if they are caring for ill family members. Those who are caring for children whose schools are closed or whose childcare provider is unavailable due to the pandemic will be granted 12 weeks of paid leave.²

As long as you’ve been employed for at least 30 days, most employees of small and midsize companies, as well as nonprofit and government employees can receive paid leave. If you are a part-time worker, you will be paid the amount you earn in a two-week period.² Alternatively, if you’re self-employed and pay taxes, you can also receive paid leave.

Who Is Excluded?
Employees working at companies with more than 500 people are excluded from these benefits. Those employed at companies with less than 50 employees are included, but the Labor Department is able to exempt small businesses if providing leave would put them out of business.³ Employers can also decline to give leave to those facing the crisis head-on, including emergency responders and healthcare providers.

How Will My Business Be Affected?
Companies with more than 500 employees will need to pay the cost of paid sick and emergency leave, but they will be eligible for reimbursement tax credits at a later time.

Businesses will be reimbursed up to $511 per employee, per day for paid sick leave wages paid to employees who must quarantine because they are sick with COVID-19 or are trying to receive a diagnosis. For those employees caring for family members, employers will be reimbursed up to $200 per worker, per day.³ Self-employed individuals are also eligible to receive reimbursable tax credits.

Those with fewer than 50 employees who are interested in applying for an exemption to the paid leave mandate because the viability of their business may be in jeopardy should reach out to the Department of Labor.

Are the Paid Leave Benefits Permanent?
The sick leave benefits included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will only last through December 31, 2020.³

When Does It Take Effect?
The recently passed bill was signed into law on March 18, 2020, and the paid leave provisions are expected to take effect within 15 days.² As we continue to see global increases in illnesses and deaths, the United States government is being urged to continue on the path of providing for America’s workforce.

Guidelines will be issued for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in order to assist employers in calculating how much paid leave their employees should receive. At that point, workers should be able to simply inform their employers of time off, take their leave and receive payment specified by the law.

<sub>1. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/03/12/as-coronavirus-spreads-which-u-s-workers-have-paid-sick-leave-and-which-dont/
2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201/text
3. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-and-labor-announce-plan-to-implement-coronavirus-related-paid-leave-for-workers-and-tax-credits-for-small-and-midsize-businesses-to-swiftly-recover-the-cost-of-providing-coronavirus</sub>

This content may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Great news for savers! The IRS announced today that taxpayers will be able to contribute $19,500 for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the Federal Government’s Thrift Savings Plan, up from $19,000 in 2019.  The catchup contribution limit for employees age 50 and over who participate in these plans has increased from $6000 to $6500.  

The limitation regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts for 2020 is increased to $13,500, up from $13,000 for 2019.

The income ranges for determining eligibility to make deductible contributions to traditional Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to contribute to Roth IRAs and to claim the Saver’s Credit all increased for 2020.

Other highlights include.

• The annual additions limit for defined contribution plans increases to $57,000.
• The annual additions limit for defined benefit plans increases to $230,000.
• The annual compensation limit increases to $285,000.
• The Social Security Wage Base increases to $137,700.
• The compensation limit for determining who is a highly compensated employee increased for the first time in five years, and is now $130,000.

Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they meet certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or his or her spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, depending on filing status and income. (If neither the taxpayer nor his or her spouse is covered by a retirement plan at work, the phase-outs of the deduction do not apply.) Here are the phase-out ranges for 2020:

• For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $65,000 to $75,000, up from $64,000 to $74,000.
• For married couples filing jointly, where the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is $104,000 to $124,000, up from $103,000 to $123,000.
• For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $196,000 and $206,000, up from $193,000 and $203,000.
• For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000
  

The income phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $124,000 to $139,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $122,000 to $137,000. For married couples filing jointly, the income phase-out range is $196,000 to $206,000, up from $193,000 to $203,000. The phase-out range for a married individual filing a separate return who makes contributions to a Roth IRA is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.

The income limit for the Saver’s Credit (also known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) for low- and moderate-income workers is $65,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $64,000; $48,750 for heads of household, up from $48,000; and $32,500 for singles and married individuals filing separately, up from $32,000. 

The limit on annual contributions to an IRA remains unchanged at $6,000. The additional catch-up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $1,000.

Details on these and other retirement-related cost-of-living adjustments for 2020 are in Notice 2019-59 (PDF), available on IRS.gov.

As the United States continues to offer more and more financial education in schools, colleges, workplaces, non-profits and government agencies, only ⅓ of states actually require students to take a personal finance course in high school.  Even more alarming is the fact that less than ⅓ of adults understand three basic financial literacy topics by age 40, even though most of these adults are making difficult financial decisions at a much younger age. We all know the key to staying healthy is eating well and exercise, but it’s just as important to be financially healthy.   Financial literacy is the key to financial health, lifelong stability and wealth. 

Here in Montgomery County, many of our middle school students are fortunate to be able to participate in Junior Achievement Finance Park®. Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship, reaching more than 8 million students in 100 countries worldwide. In MCPS, the program reaches over 12,000 students each year and has transitioned to a 7th grade lesson sequence and field trip to the state-of-the-art JA Finance Park immersive learning facility at Thomas Edison High School.  At JA Finance Park, students become “adults” for the day with a career, salary, credit score and financial obligations that they must balance. 

In addition, a few MCPS high schools offer an Academy of Finance Pathway. The Academy of Finance connect high school students with the world of financial services and personal finances.  The curriculum covers banking and credit, financial planning, global finance, securities, insurance, accounting and economics. 

Programs such as these are a great way of putting our children in a position for financial success, however, raising our children to be financially aware is not just the responsibility of our schools. Starting at a very early age, children should be educated about how finances work – from creating a budget to learning how to save money for emergencies, teaching them the financial skills necessary to become responsible and self-sufficient adults is essential for their life-long success.  Each family is unique with their approach to handling their own finances and what their expectations are, but there are a few common tasks and principles that can help young children achieve the necessary skills for a solid foundation.

1. Start with budget basics – Focusing on what money is coming in and what money is going out is key to making sure you don’t run out of money each month.  Creating a budget can also help you save for a big purchase and can develop the habit of putting money away for an emergency fund.  
2. Learn to live within your means – Creating realistic goal setting and understanding “wants” vs “needs are key to developing mindful money practices.
3. Build a solid credit score – Young adults need guidance in choosing their first credit card wisely as well as recognizing how to maintain a strong credit score.  This should include checking each credit statement thoroughly, paying off the balance monthly and understanding compound interest.
4. Earn while you learn – Becoming a smart investor also takes time and you don’t need to be an expert to grow your wealth.  Some important lessons in reaching financial independence include learning to pay yourself first, staying in for the long term and diversifying your risk.  
5. Be responsible and accountable – It’s important to let your kids make financial mistakes rather than always coming to their rescue when the stakes are low.  The only way our children will learn to become fully responsible and independent adults is to be given the opportunity to fail and pick themselves up without our help.  

Teaching your children about money at any age will take time and won’t always be easy.  If you want your children to know how to successfully manage their money and be financially responsible adults, you must take the time now to give them the tools they need. Modeling good financial behaviors when your children are young and keeping the lines of communication open when it comes to dealing with money will help continue to guide them on their life-long financial journey.  

According to a recent survey, over 80% of Americans never updated their W-4 after the 2018 TJCA, which made sweeping changes to the tax rates.  Those that never changed their withholdings may now be in a position of currently owing the IRS additional amounts, plus possible interest and penalties.  

In order to ensure that you don’t get hit with any IRS penalties in the future, it’s important to revisit your W-4 withholdings annually.  The information you file on your W-4 determines how much money you’ll owe, or get back, when you’re filing your taxes. If you withhold too little, you may owe the IRS come tax time. However, if you withhold too much, you could end up with a large refund, which means you’ve essentially given an interest-free loan to the government.

Start by using the IRS withholding calculator to determine the right amount for you to withhold. If your situation is complicated, or if you’re confused, you may also want to consult with an accountant.  In addition, you should also revisit the W-4 if you’ve had a major life changing event, such as having a child, getting married or divorced, or if your spouse dies.  Next, review what your current withholding is. If the numbers don’t match up, you’ll want to adjust your W-4, which you can do at any point during the year.  

As you revisit your W-4, it’s also important to keep in mind that the 2020 projected tax rate schedules.

The key to paying the right amount of tax is to update your W-4 regularly. You should revisit your W-4 whenever you have a major personal life change. As we have written in the past, the potential for both a tax bill and a tax refund should be zero, or close to it. However, if you count on a big tax refund every year, pay attention to your withholding because it directly impacts your refund.  You can adjust your W-4 at any time throughout the year, but if you do it later in the year, there will be less impact on your taxes for that year.

If you need any assistance with your taxes or updating your W-4, you should speak to a professional.  We are happy to provide you with CPA recommendations if you would like. As always, please reach out to us with any questions or comments you might have.