Ascensus consultants conduct compliance reviews throughout the country in order to help financial organizations recognize errors and identify ways to mitigate their risks. Here are some of the more common compliance mistakes that Ascensus consultants have discovered.
Read MoreThe first few months of each year usually bring an increased number of contributions for individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). During this flurry of contribution activity, it’s important to make sure that your clients clearly designate the year that a contribution is for.
Read MoreSeveral bills with provisions that would alter tax-advantaged savings arrangements have been introduced. If these provisions are approved, they represent important priorities for the House and Senate lawmakers responsible for their drafting and introduction.
Read MoreIf you’ve had difficulty locating the new life expectancy tables, you’re not alone. It’s recently become a common question fielded by ERISA consultants on Ascensus’ 800 Consulting service. You can find them all right here.
Read MoreMost small- to mid-sized business owners and self-employed individuals want an employer-sponsored retirement plan that’s affordable and easy to administer. Find out how SEP, SIMPLE IRA, and Individual(k) plans stack up.
Read MoreA new IRS withholding form released in 2022 means that payers and individuals will have a new process for calculating and electing federal income tax withholding on retirement distributions. Although the IRS will not require payers to use the new and revised forms until January 1, 2023, payers may start using them in 2022.
Read MoreThe IRS announced that the filing deadline for 2021 tax returns or requests for extension is April 18, 2022, for most taxpayers.
Read MoreIn early January, the IRS issued a news release announcing the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of wildfires and straight-line winds in Colorado. The IRS also issued a news release in mid-January announcing the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of flooding and mudslides in Washington.
Read MoreFinancial organizations that administer IRAs, health savings accounts (HSAs), and Coverdell education savings accounts (ESA) have many reporting deadlines looming ahead in 2022. Here’s a rundown of the impending due dates in the first quarter.
Read MoreThe one-per-12-month IRA rollover rules were radically revised in 2014 as a result of a U.S. Tax Court decision, restricting rollovers to individuals rather than to IRAs. A real-life case study of a one-per-12-month rollover rule violation taken directly from our IRA consulting lines demonstrates how to protect your financial organization while helping your clients.
Read MoreLast month the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act (“BBB Act” or “the Act”). Following quickly on the heels of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the BBB Act contains several retirement and benefits provisions that may affect financial organizations, service providers, and consumers. This bill has gone through numerous revisions as it made its journey to the House floor for a vote. It will now go to the Senate, which will likely make further revisions.
Read MoreA simplified employee pension (SEP) plan offers many advantages not available with qualified retirement plans. Even though a SEP plan may be easier for an employer to maintain, questions from both employers and employees still arise.
Read MoreOne of the most difficult aspects of reporting IRA and qualified retirement plan distributions is determining the proper distribution codes to enter in Box 7 on IRS Form 1099-R. Consider some common distribution scenarios to learn which code applies and why.
The IRS released the 2022 IRA and retirement savings plan limitations in early November. Most limitations will increase for 2022.
Read MoreThe IRS recently released a new draft of Form W-4R and of Form W-4P, in which the IRS indicates that it will not require use of the redesigned Form W-4P and the new Form W-4R to meet federal withholding requirements until January 1, 2023.
Read MoreWhat is separate accounting? How are IRA assets moved to separate accounts? Is there a deadline to establish separate accounts? Who is a designated beneficiary and why is knowing that important?
Read MoreOffering alternative investment options may be one way to attract and retain IRA clients with large balances. If your organization does offer alternative investments, either directly or through an outplacement relationship, it may face challenges in accommodating your clients’ hard-to-value assets.
Read MoreThe Department of Labor recently released guidance extending the transitional relief and non-enforcement guidance related to investment advice fiduciaries who work diligently and in good faith to comply with Impartial Conduct Standards.
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