Tax News & Insights from Tax Centers of Georgia
5 Biggest Benefits of a 401(k)
A 401(k) offers several powerful retirement benefits, including tax advantages, employer matching contributions, catch-up contributions, and long-term investment growth. Understanding these benefits of a 401(k) may help you make smarter decisions with every dollar you...
401(k) Withdrawal Rules: How to Avoid Costly Penalties
401(k) withdrawal rules determine when you can access your money and what it will cost you. While you can typically withdraw penalty-free after age 59½, earlier withdrawals may trigger taxes and penalties, unless you qualify for exceptions. Understanding these rules...
What to Do with Your 401(k) When Changing Jobs
When you leave a job, you have several options for your 401(k), including leave it, roll it over to an IRA or your new 40(k), or cash it out. Each choice has different tax implications and can impact your ability to access your money, especially if you qualify for the...
401(k) Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid in 2026
401(k) mistakes aren’t just about saving too little – they’re also about poor planning. Common issues like tax-heavy accounts, lack of diversification, and early withdrawals can reduce your retirement income even if your balance is growing. Takeaways Saving money...
Second Quarter Financial Checklist for 2026
The second quarter is a key time to reset your finances and stay on track for the year. From reviewing your budget to maximizing your 401(k) and rebalancing your investments, these smart money moves can help you strengthen your financial plan and make meaningful...
12 Mistakes That Can Delay Retirement (and What to Do Instead)
Many retirement shortfalls aren’t caused by market crashes, but by everyday mistakes. These small decisions can quietly cost you years. Here are 12 common mistakes that can delay retirement and what to do instead. Why Small Mistakes Can Delay Your Retirement Most...
3 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund in 2026
Your tax refund can be more than extra spending money. Using it strategically – such as boosting retirement savings, paying down debt, or building an emergency fund – may strengthen your long-term financial security. Make Your Tax Refund Work for Your Future If you’re...
What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Die?
When you die, your 401(k) only passes to the named beneficiary. Spouses can roll the account into their own IRA, but most non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the funds within 10 years, which can trigger substantial tax bills if not planned carefully. Who Inherits...
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...
Tax Doctor
- Tax Planning Often Has Bonus BenefitsHave you worked toward losing weight in the past because you want to look more attractive, or fit into an expensive wardrobe you already own? When you lose weight you often also lower your blood pressure and/or cholesterol as a bonus. It might not be the primary motivation, but the extra benefit is of course […]
- Income Taxes Surprising People is Surprising! Empower Yourself!Most people feel like their taxes are a sleeping giant. They tiptoe around them as if staying away from the topic will keep it from waking up. Then at tax time when the giant awakens, they often act as if the final tax refund or bill is a surprise. Many working people try to change […]
- Simple or Complex, Tax Planning is Important!Sometimes “tax planning” can be easy: “Open an IRA and it reduces your taxable income.” Other times it can be quite complex: “Cost segregation” on a building means hiring an engineering firm and having a structure broken down into its many components on paper, with each value separately listed; the frame, wiring, heating systems, etc., […]