Wealth Management Center
Preserving and enhancing wealth for the future with financial-planning experts Bill Cass and Chris Hennessey
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Key changes for charitable giving in 2020
September 23, 2020 | Estate and Wealth Transfer
In 2020, more taxpayers may be able to take tax deductions on their charitable giving as a result of provisions in the CARES Act.
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About this blog
Financial-planning experts Bill Cass and Chris Hennessey weigh in each week with a range of insights about complex financial planning needs.
William Cass, CFP®, CPWA®
Director of Wealth Management Programs for Putnam.
Chris Hennessey
Lawyer and CPA, Faculty Director, Babson College School of Executive Education, is a member of the Putnam Business Advisory Group.
Key changes for charitable giving in 2020
In 2020, more taxpayers may be able to take tax deductions on their charitable giving as a result of provisions in the CARES Act.
Pandemic could reduce Social Security benefits
The pandemic is taking a broad economic toll causing many workers to earn less which could reduce Social Security benefits in the future.
Using a 529 plan when college is remote
Families may consider using funds from a 529 plan to cover qualified expenses even if their child is studying remote this fall.
Strategies during a college gap year
While college students may decide to take a gap year, families can continue to plan for the completion of the college program.
Back-to-school planning during the pandemic
While navigating the changing back-to-school landscape , families can still focus on planning and saving for the future.
Use high school years to implement a road map to college
Consider creating a plan to prepare for college during the high school years.
Pandemic underscores need for college checklist
This fall, preparing a college checklist may be more important than ever as the ongoing pandemic is affecting how colleges re-open.
Planning as the pandemic response evolves
The federal response to the pandemic continues to evolve, creating considerations for financial planning.
RMD waiver expanded for all investors in 2020
The IRS released new guidance that expanded the RMD waiver for use by all investors in 2020.
Small-business owners need to act soon on loan program
There is still funding available loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but small-business owners need to apply before June 30, 2020.
As the pandemic weighs on the economy, make sure assets are protected
Given the economic downtown , it’s even more important for investors consider a plan to make sure assets are protected.
Congress extends loan forgiveness for small business PPP
Congress last week passed legislation to extend the timeline and requirements for loan forgiveness under the PPP program.
Historically low rates, market conditions open door for GRATs
Lower asset values combined with historically low interest rates may favor certain wealth transfer strategies such as GRATs.
Value of higher education continues to increase
Much is shifting in the education landscape, but some things continue to improve, including the value of higher education.
Guidelines offer clarity on PPP loan forgiveness for small businesses
The Small Business Association announced guidelines for loan forgiveness for the PPP program for small businesses.
Moving forward when RMDs are suspended
The CARES Act provisions suspended RMDs for this year and may impact investors' financial plans.
Planning for college in challenging times
Planning for college can be challenging in the near term but families and students can still make progress toward their goals.
States, businesses hope for more economic aid in next pandemic relief bill
Many lawmakers are planning for a fourth phase of pandemic relief funding, which could include aid for states and individuals.
Five planning ideas to consider under the CARES Act
The CARES Act provides emergency assistance to those affected by the pandemic with a range of programs from expanded unemployment benefits to loans.
Pandemic highlights need for legal documents
The pandemic highlights the importance of family communications and having legal documents in place.
CARES Act loosens rules for retirement accounts
Among the many provisions of the CARES Act are modifications of the rules involving retirement accounts to help both retirement savers and retirees.
Three things business owners need to know about the CARES Act
The CARES Act has multiple provisions to help small businesses and employees weather the economic downturn.
Retirement planning for the end of the year
The fourth quarter is an opportune time to take inventory of retirement accounts and review actions such as required minimum distributions and planning strategies before year-end.
Prepare clients for year-end planning
Gifting, required retirement distributions, and charitable donations are among many planning actions that need attention by the end of the year.
There's still time to implement tax-smart strategies
Determining an individual's tax bracket will drive which tax-smart strategies to implement, including managing income, capital gains and losses.
Some estate-planning benefits may be lost if not used
Investors may want to explore gifting and other estate-planning strategies to take advantage of tax benefits that may be limited.
Debt ceiling debate and federal budget on Capitol Hill agenda
As Congress faces a December deadline for the federal budget, the debt ceiling debate was moved up sooner than expected.
Chris Hennessey is Professor Emeritus of Law at the Babson College School of Executive Education and member of the Putnam Investments Business Advisory Group. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Putnam Investments.