Tax News & Insights from Tax Centers of Georgia
How the 401(k) Student Loan Match Works
A 401(k) student loan match allows employers to make retirement contributions based on your qualified student loan payments instead of requiring direct 401(k) contributions. This SECURE 2.0 provision helps employees pay down debt while still earning valuable employer...
12 Most Common Employee 401(k) Questions
Most employees don’t fully understand how their 401(k) works. This guide answers the most common 401(k) questions for 2026 – from contribution limits and employer matching to fees, vesting, Roth options, and withdrawals – so you can avoid costly mistakes and make...
401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Rule Changes for 2026
Starting in 2026, higher earners age 50 and older must make 401(k) catch-up contributions as Roth contributions if prior-year FICA wages exceed $150,000. This rule impacts take-home pay, tax planning, and retirement strategy – making it critical to plan ahead. What...
How to Build a Million-Dollar 401(k) in 2026
If you’ve been wondering what it takes to become a 401(k) millionaire, you’re not alone. With retirement account balances hitting record highs in 2025, more Americans are proving that building a 7-figure nest egg is possible. According to Fidelity, “the number...
401(k) Hardship Withdrawals Hit Record Highs
Recent data from Vanguard and Fidelity shows 401(k) hardship withdrawals at record highs as everyday costs rise and savings run thin. Understanding the long-term impact of pulling from your retirement and taking steps to build an emergency fund, can help you avoid...
Holiday Debt Payoff Strategies That Work Fast
One of the fastest ways to pay off holiday debt is to lower your interest rates, use a proven payoff method like the Avalanche or Snowball, and make extra payments whenever possible. These steps help reduce interest, speed up your payoff timeline, and eliminate...
Retirement 401(k) and IRA Contribution Limits for 2026
According to the IRS (Notice 2025-67, released November 13, 2025), the 401(k) contribution limit will rise to $24,500 for 2026, up $1,000 from 2025, while the IRA contribution limit increases to $7,500 plus a $1,100 catch-up for savers age 50 and...
7 Smart Money Moves to Make before Year-End
The final weeks of the year are more than just holiday prep and family gatherings. They’re also your last chance to make financial moves before year-end that could boost your retirement savings, lower your tax bill, and set you up for a stronger 2026. Whether...
Why The 2026 Social Security COLA Increase Won’t Be Enough
If you’re hoping the 2026 Social Security COLA will help ease the pressure of rising costs, don’t get your hopes up. The 2026 increase is only 2.8%.¹ With inflation, Medicare premiums, and everyday expenses climbing faster, it won’t go far. In this post,...
IRS Finalizes Rules on 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions
If you’re 50 or older and planning to make catch-up contributions to your 401(k), big changes are on the way – especially if you’re a higher-income earner. The IRS recently issued final regulations under the SECURE 2.0 Act, and they clarify exactly how these...
Tax Doctor
- Like It or Not, Taxes are Constantly ChangingTax policy and rates have always been fluid, much more so than most people realize, as they only focus on it for short periods one time a year. You also don’t see many high school or college classes on the history of taxes and tax planning, unless you’re in accounting school. Like a distant relative […]
- Tax Planning Gem: Use a CRAT or CRUT to “Put Back” Your Stretch IRA Options for Non-spouse BeneficiariesMany estate plans were built around the old “stretch IRA” rules that allowed beneficiaries to take withdrawals over their lifetimes. However, under the SECURE Act, most non-spouse beneficiaries must now withdraw the entire balance of an inherited IRA within 10 years of the original owner’s death. While the 10% early withdrawal penalty does not apply […]
- People Complain About Taxes, but Most Avoid Planning Better Outcomes!It’s human nature, of course. We complain about our weight while in the line at the ice-cream stand. We complain about being tired, then stay up late playing the latest game on our smart devices. Humans are funny and contradictory animals. Have you ever noticed that when you’re in a conversation, people are quick to […]