In this episode of ChooseFI, hosts Brad and Sean Mulaney dive deep into tax strategies crucial for financial independence, focusing on tax basketing, asset location, and effective use of retirement accounts. The conversation includes recent changes regarding 529 plans funding Roth IRAs and reassurances for those starting their financial journey at any age.

FI Tax Guy | What to know about the ins and outs of the new SECURE 2.0 529-to-Roth IRA rollover provision Read Article 

Fidelity's 529 Withdrawal Guide

The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Early Retirement

Schwab Guide on How to Sell Specific Lots

Note from Sean Sean also wanted to clarify that in order to qualify to use the IRS Joint Life and Last Survivor Expectancy table to compute required minimum distributions for the older spouse, the older spouse must be more than 10 years older than the younger spouse and the younger spouse must be the 100 percent primary beneficiary.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Question from Jay regarding tax strategies <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:00:53 </button>

  • Exploration of tax drag vs. tax strategies for high savings rates

• Discussion on Tax Basketing <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:01:38 </button>

  • Explanation of asset location and tax implications for early retirees

• Query about 529 Plans and Roth IRA Conversions <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:10:59 </button>

  • Recent changes in Secure Act 2.0 regarding 529 accounts

• Advice for Starting Financial Independence at Age 35 <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:17:42 </button>

  • Encouragement that it’s never too late to start financial independence

• Explaining Capital Gains and Taxation <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:25:23 </button>

  • Understanding tax on gains from asset sales and strategies for minimizing it

• Options for Late Savers <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:30:27 </button>

  • Discussion on optimal retirement account strategies at different life stages

• Final Thoughts and Resources <button class="px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:51:12 </button>

  • Recap and resources for listeners to further explore these topics

Actionable Takeaways:

• Consider tax basketing to optimize your investment strategy in retirement accounts. <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:10:04 </button>
• Explore Roth conversions annually to potentially minimize RMDs and tax burdens. <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:36:46 </button>
• Start your financial independence journey today, regardless of your current age or financial situation. <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:22:10 </button>

Key Quotes:

• "Tax drag isn’t really much of a thing at all." <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:03:07 </button>
• "It literally takes $0 to start." <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:18:22 </button>
• "This is an opportunity, not a problem." <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:10:04 </button>
• "You do not need a backdoor Roth IRA." <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:24:11 </button>
• "It’s never too late to start on the path to FI." <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:22:41 </button>

Timestamps:

• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:00:53 </button> Tax Strategies
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:01:38 </button> Tax Basketing Discussion
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:10:59 </button> Roth IRA from 529 Plans
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:17:42 </button> Starting at Age 35
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:25:23 </button> Capital Gains Taxation
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:30:27 </button> Strategies for Late Savers
• <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105"> 00:51:12 </button> Final Thoughts

Discussion Questions:

• How can tax basketing improve your investment strategy? <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:10:01 </button>
• What steps can you take to maximize the benefits of a backdoor Roth IRA? <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:24:11 </button>
• What financial actions can individuals take today to start their path to financial independence? <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:22:10 </button>

FAQs:

• What is tax basketing?

  • Tax basketing refers to the strategic allocation of various asset types (Roth, traditional, taxable) to minimize tax liabilities. <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:10:01 </button>

• How does the Secure Act 2.0 affect 529 plans?

  • The Secure Act 2.0 allows for up to $35,000 from 529 plans to be transferred to a beneficiary's Roth IRA. <button class= "px-4 py-1 font-bold text-blue-600 transition duration-200 ease-in-out transform bg-blue-100 rounded hover:text-blue-800 hover:bg-blue-200 hover:scale-105">00:11:21 </button>

• Is it too late to start financial indep