समाधान

Profile:

• Name: Alex Johnson
• Age: 35
• Marital Status: Married
• Dependents: 2 children (ages 4 and 7)
• आय:
  • Salary: $90,000 annually
  • Spouse’s Salary: $50,000 annually
  • Investment Income: $5,000 annually
  • Other Income: $3,000 annually from freelance work

Current Financial Situation:

• Home Mortgage Interest: $12,000 annually
• Student Loan Interest: $1,500 annually
• Property Taxes: $5,000 annually
• Charitable Donations: $3,000 annually
• Retirement Contributions: $10,000 annually to a 401(k)
• Medical Expenses: $2,500 annually

प्रश्न सेट 1

प्रश्न 1A:

Identify and explain strategies to reduce Alex’s taxable income. Include specific actions he can take and relevant tax laws that apply.

समाधान:

Strategies to Reduce Taxable Income:

1. Maximize Retirement Contributions:
   • Action: Increase contributions to the 401(k) up to the annual limit ($19,500 for 2024).
   • Tax Law: Contributions to a 401(k) are tax-deferred, reducing taxable income.
2. Utilize Health Savings Account (HSA):
   • Action: Contribute to an HSA if eligible, up to $7,750 for a family.
   • Tax Law: Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
3. Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
   • Action: Contribute to an FSA for healthcare or dependent care expenses.
   • Tax Law: Contributions to an FSA are tax-deductible, reducing taxable income.
4. Student Loan Interest Deduction:
   • Action: Deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest paid.
   • Tax Law: Student loan interest is deductible above the line, directly reducing taxable income.
5. Charitable Donations:
   • Action: Continue making charitable donations and ensure documentation for deductions.
   • Tax Law: Charitable contributions are deductible, reducing taxable income.

प्रश्न 1बी:

Discuss the tax credits and deductions Alex can leverage. Explain how these credits and deductions will impact his overall tax liability.

समाधान:

Tax Credits and Deductions:

1. Child Tax Credit:
   • Credit Amount: $2,000 per child under 17.
   • Impact: Reduces tax liability by $4,000.
2. Child and Dependent Care Credit:
   • Credit Amount: Up to 35% of qualifying expenses, with a cap of $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more.
   • Impact: Reduces tax liability based on childcare expenses.
3. Mortgage Interest Deduction:
   • Deduction Amount: $12,000.
   • Impact: Reduces taxable income by deducting mortgage interest.
4. Property Tax Deduction:
   • Deduction Amount: $5,000.
   • Impact: Reduces taxable income by deducting property taxes.
5. Charitable Contribution Deduction:
   • Deduction Amount: $3,000.
   • Impact: Reduces taxable income by deducting charitable donations.
6. Medical Expense Deduction:
   • Deduction Amount: Expenses exceeding 7.5% of AGI ($5,850 in this case).
   • Impact: Reduces taxable income by deducting eligible medical expenses.

प्रश्न 1सी:

Analyze the implications of different types of investments on Alex’s taxes. Provide examples of tax-efficient investment strategies.

समाधान:

Implications of Different Investments:

1. Taxable Investments:
   • Implications: Dividends and capital gains are taxable. Long-term capital gains are taxed at lower rates.
   • Example: Investing in dividend-paying stocks or mutual funds. Long-term holding to benefit from lower capital gains tax rates.
2. Tax-Deferred Investments:
   • Implications: Taxes are deferred until withdrawal. Suitable for retirement accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs.
   • Example: Contributing to a 401(k) reduces current taxable income, with taxes paid upon withdrawal in retirement.
3. Tax-Free Investments:
   • Implications: Earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free for qualified expenses.
   • Example: Roth IRA contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
4. Municipal Bonds:
   • Implications: Interest income is generally tax-free at the federal level and sometimes at the state level.
   • Example: Investing in municipal bonds to receive tax-free interest income.

Tax-Efficient Strategies:

• Maximize Contributions to Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Prioritize contributions to 401(k), IRA, and HSA.
• Tax-Loss Harvesting: Sell investments at a loss to offset capital gains and reduce taxable income.
• Hold Investments Long-Term: Benefit from lower long-term capital gains tax rates.