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Taylor Swift and ‘Barbie’ are helping the economy

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
July 27, 2023 Category: General, Economy, Recession, Sales, Markets

When we think of economic indicators, our minds typically go to the state of the housing market, inflation or unemployment rates. Nevertheless, as of late, there have been some surprising economic drivers originating from unexpected sources.  To understand this sensation, look no further than Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour and the “Barbie” movie. The blowout success of Swift’s tour combined with the record-setting box office success of the “Barbie” movie is showing up in microeconomic aggregates.   The Federal Reserve’s historic rate hikes haven’t brought on a recession yet. Right now, we’re sitting in what’s known as a “Goldilocks economy,” where it’s not too hot and not too cold. Currently, it looks like consumers are prioritizing experiences and entertainment over buying things. That’s evident when looking at Swift’s tour, which is estimated to generate $4.6 billion in consumer spending in the United States alone1. Fans of Swift are spending money on hotel rooms, merchandise and dining out at restaurants. Some fans are dolling out money for custom outfits, manicures and hairstyles. Businesses are also creating special Swift-themed items for fans to buy. Fans are even visiting local museums, which led to The Country Music Hall of Fame having the best month in its 65-year history. The museum sold 114,000 tickets the month Swift had her Nashville

A new IRS ruling could affect your children’s inheritance

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
July 26, 2023 Category: General, IRS, Inheritance, Trust, Estate Planning

In a major shift, a new IRS ruling has tightened the regulations surrounding irrevocable trusts and the step-up basis. In the past, families have been utilizing irrevocable trusts to protect their assets from spend-down to still qualify for benefits like Medicaid and VA Aid. Also during this time, it was not clear if assets passing to beneficiaries through an irrevocable trust would receive a step-up in basis, which eliminated any capital gains taxes that would otherwise be owed.  Historically, assets that individuals sold or transferred during their lifetime have been taxed as capital gains, based on the appreciation in value that occurred over time. The capital gains owed are predominantly calculated by comparing the asset's value at the time of purchase with its value at the time of transfer. An exception to the obligation of capital gains taxes comes when the owner of the assets dies, and the assets pass to their beneficiaries. The beneficiaries receive a step-up in basis, therefore they inherit the assets as if it had been purchased at the current fair market value instead of the value of the assets at the original time of purchase. This eliminates any capital gains, and no taxes become due. The new IRS ruling has tightened the regulations surrounding irrevocable trusts and the step-up in basis. According to the updated guidelines, assets held within certain irrevocable trusts will no longer receive the benefit of a step-up in basis upon the grantor's

Don’t make the mistake of leaving your grandchildren with a tax bill instead of an inheritance

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
July 13, 2023 Category: Finance, Tax, Inheritance, Trust, 529, IRA

For older Americans, leaving retirement savings to their grandchildren without also leaving them a big tax bill is becoming harder under new rules that took effect in 2020.  Previously, heirs other than spouses had decades to draw down inherited retirement accounts. After the rules change, now they must do it within 10 years.  To maximize their family’s after-tax wealth, grandparents are changing their estate plans and creating new trusts. The timing change also has grandparents making a series of Roth conversions or big generation-skipping lifetime gifts. These choices make sense with the amount of money and taxes that are at play. According to the Investment Company Institute, Americans held $12.5 trillion in IRAs as of March 31, 2023 and 52% of households headed by someone 65 or older have one.    By choosing to leave a Roth IRA, you avoid some of the problems of the accelerated tax hit from an inherited traditional IRA since those can cause a big tax bill, especially if distributions fall during the heir’s highest earning years. Minor grandchildren may also need to file a tax return to report the IRA payouts, and the income could be taxed at the parents’ rate.  However, because of the 10-year payout period, there is a risk that your heirs will spend the money quickly.  Other options to consider when planning your legacy is to start making lifetime gifts to grandchildren as soon as they are born. That can look like pay