U.S. Income Tax History: How Tax Rates and Revenue Have Changed Since 1862
The history of income tax in America reveals a fascinating story of economic policy, war financing, and evolving government revenue strategies. From President Lincoln’s first income tax in 1862 to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, federal tax rates have ranged from as low as 1% to as high as 94%. Understanding this […]
Tax Savings on Company Stock
If you work for a publicly traded company, chances are you can own company stock inside your 401(k) retirement plan. We’ve seen many workers nearing retirement who have accumulated substantial shares of company stock. These workers are often unaware that they have an option with the tax treatment of these shares that could potentially result […]
A History of the Individual Income Tax in America
Key Takeaways: Individual income taxes are the largest source of revenue for the government The 16th Amendment gave Congress “the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes” History has shown that tax revenues increase when rates are cut Taxes have been part of our country’s history from the very beginning – No […]
Taxes in Retirement – Case Studies
Key Takeaways: Your sources of income will change, but you will still owe taxes in retirement. In general, your principal (or “cost basis”) will be returned to you tax-free. A diversified portfolio protects in down markets and provides flexibility when planning for taxes. When you’ve spent your adult life working and saving, retirement […]
The Investor Taxation Lifecycle
We are not CPAs nor are we tax preparers, but a great deal of our time is spent working with clients and their professionals honing a financial plan that is tax efficient. We advise our clients to hire a CPA with whom we can work together to manage their financial plans. The financial plan and […]
When Too Much Tax Deferral Becomes Counterproductive
Click here to watch video in new window. Most of us have been told from early on in our careers to defer as much income as possible to ensure we’ll be properly prepared for retirement. While not bad advice, most of these strategies involve only qualified deferrals, meaning all income tax gets punted until the […]
Tax Management in Bull Markets
How do we manage accounts when everything is up? With cooperative markets, many investors have accumulated substantial capital gains in their investment accounts. We analyze the trade-off between ideal allocation & paying tax to achieve it. In general, we advocate paying tax along the way to avoid over-concentration. When I was growing up, my granddad […]
Upcoming Child Tax Credit Checks: Not Free Money
Max Child Tax Credit now $3,600/child under 6; $3,000 ages 6-17 Even high-income families will receive 50% advances on these credits Advance payments can increase your tax bill next year, all else equal If you take a vacation in the middle of this month, you may come home to a surprise check in the mail. […]
Safeguard Assets: Asset Protection Essentials for Doctors
For doctors, years of training, long hours, and personal sacrifice culminate in a rewarding profession, but also in increased visibility and liability. Asset protection isn’t about expecting the worst; it’s about planning wisely so your life’s work remains secure. Start with malpractice insurance The first and often most powerful line of defense. Carry robust […]
Investing at Stock Market All-Time Highs: What to Do When the S&P 500 and Dow Hit Records
As the S&P 500 approaches 7,000 and the Dow Jones nears 50,000 in early 2026, many investors are wondering: Is now the time to sell? Stock market all-time highs often trigger anxiety, but historical data reveals a surprising truth about investing during record-breaking periods. This article explains why market peaks are a normal part of […]
2026 Retirement Contribution Limits
Happy New Year! There have been a few changes to retirement contribution limits for 2026. 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026 For 2026, the 401(k) contribution limit has increased to $24,500, up from $23,000 in 2025. This increase allows employees to boost their tax-advantaged retirement savings and accelerate long-term wealth building. IRA Contribution Limits for 2026 […]
Ballast Welcomes Two New Team Members: Catherine Richmond and Madelyn Mozeleski
Ballast, an independent, employee-owned financial planning and investment management firm, is proud to announce the addition of two new team members: Catherine Richmond, joining as a Financial Advocate, and Madelyn Mozeleski, joining as a Financial Planning Intern. Catherine Richmond brings a wealth of analytical experience and a strong client-centered approach to her role. After earning […]