Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
How many folks use a tax attorney or specialist?
Old 06-12-2015, 11:28 AM   #1
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 129
How many folks use a tax attorney or specialist?

I have a somewhat complicated situation with my retirement savings. I have a pretty good chunk of money but its nearly all in pre-tax situations. I'm 55 and would like to retire. On paper I have plenty it seems but to access the money means complected options and probably penalties. If I keep on working the amount is likely to continue to grow to a point I think I'll have RMD problems down the road if I'm not there already. I'm no tax expert for sure, though I do my own taxes since they're pretty simple. However I am now beginning to think I need to hire someone that can better evaluate the situation and advise. I have a FA but he's not a tax expert buy his own admission. I just wonder how many people here spend the money to hire a professional tax adviser of some sort?
68bucks is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 06-12-2015, 11:41 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
I had a professional corporation (which is now a holding company) whose retained earnings are tax sheltered until withdrawn. My personal tax sheltered accounts are large enough that I will face heavy tax liabilities due to RMDs approximately 14 years in the future. Hence I am gradually drawing down on them now, in a lower tax bracket, to smooth taxation. I need to hire an accountant for my corporation and my accountant is an expert in this field. Her advice is invaluable in helping me choose an integrated tax efficient withdrawal strategy from both corporate and personal accounts.

I use attorneys for legal matters. When it comes to taxes, I hope to avoid needing legal expertise.
Meadbh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 12:50 PM   #3
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,069
Tax attorney? Nothing i hate more than stuffed animals staring at me in my own house. Wait...


Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum
dallas27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 01:07 PM   #4
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
2017ish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nashville
Posts: 2,504
Tax attorney is likely an elephant gun--unless your pretax dollars are in something other than standard 401k/403b/IRA locations. Have you tried to self-teach via this site, bogleheads, etc? I suspect that if you are doing your own taxes, you could get a handle on this--or at least put yourself in a position to know what you don't know in a more specific manner.

Given your timeframe, conversion ladder probably wouldn't work, but 72t might. Then again, depending upon your personal situation and effective tax rate, the penalty may not be that onerous once you break things down. (10% is a lot--but if your tax brackets are going down a lot in retirement....)
__________________
OMY * 3 2ish Done 7.28.17
2017ish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:04 PM   #5
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,375
Seems to me you need a CPA vs. an attorney. The latter to me would be for legal financial issues. The former can look at your assets and income and tell you how to minimize taxes/maximize income over the years and how much income you will have. In the process of his/her figuring it all out, you can learn your ropes and take over after a year or two & save the CPA fees if you like. I think trying to self-teach from scratch may take more elapsed time that will cost you more money than the cost of the CPA getting this laid out. And you may miss the best plan. The CPA can probably come up with a good plan after a few hours discussion with you & several hours work. You can do what ifs also. OK, it may cost you $2000, or more, but his knowledge will likely save way more costly mistakes. JMO.
gerntz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:25 PM   #6
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Big_Hitter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Les Bois
Posts: 5,761
a CPA should know this stuff


you could also try an Enrolled Agent
__________________
You can't be a retirement plan actuary without a retirement plan, otherwise you lose all credibility...
Big_Hitter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:30 PM   #7
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
swakyaby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: central California
Posts: 1,134
I have a solo practice CPA doing my tax returns since I started working as a self employed physician 18 years ago. He is a CPA that does primarily tax returns for individuals and small businesses, but has expanded his expertise to trusts and estate planning. Admittedly, I underutilize his services as I rarely contact him outside of tax season, although he has invited me to contact him about financial matters that affect my taxes whenever I have questions. Even when I moved 80 miles away for new employment in a group practice, and my tax returns became much simpler, I continued returning to him for tax returns and advice. It sounds like you would feel more comfortable contacting such a person, and retain him for the first few years of retirement until you feel comfortable managing on your own. I don't think you need a tax attorney.
swakyaby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:39 PM   #8
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 441
Just visited my tax accountant to plan for estimated taxes coming due on June 15. She ran the P&L of my two businesses and we projected those thru year end. She also calculated the taxable dividends thru year end, capital gain(loss) thru date and ran all the numbers on a 2015 Tax return to come up with estimated taxes. It's not rocket science, I could have done it as well but a second set of eyes looking at tax situation is well worth the small fee paid to the CPA in my opinion .
Rickt is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 03:54 PM   #9
Full time employment: Posting here.
Whisper66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 957
I also have a significant portion of my savings in tax deferred accounts. Have not hired a tax attorney but have consulted with some others. Basically I used this forum and Bogleheads wiki (Bogleheads - Index page) as self learning tools. Then used the I-ORP tool (Optimal Retirement Planner - Parameter Form) to test the optimum way to manage taxes. Lastly I bounced my plan off our tax advisor and Vangaurd account representative to see if I was missing anything critical. If one doesn't mind spending some time learning a bit, it's not as hard as it seems at first (at least in my case).
Whisper66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 04:22 PM   #10
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
Car-Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 10,863
No tax attorney, no financial advisors, no CPA's etc. Especially now that I'm retired and have the time, I'd much rather learn about these things myself so I can do my own tax and financial planning/investing. I've found most items/issues are actually pretty simple if you take them one at a time. Some items/issues may affect others but that too is pretty easy to figure out. It just takes some time and reading. Of course you may rather have someone else handle this "stuff' for you and that's okay too, but for me, I like to know "how and why".
Car-Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 04:44 PM   #11
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
ziggy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
We may have to this year. If all goes as we hope my wife will become an ordained pastor next month, which makes her self-employed by IRS standards. This is uncharted territory for us and although I'm good with numbers and pretty well versed in tax law, for the first year I'm not yet convinced I can do this alone. Fortunately we have a few months to make that call.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
ziggy29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 06:25 PM   #12
Moderator
sengsational's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 10,656
I was on the fence with hiring expertise a few times. But I came away from the brink because I always tried to build-up a little working knowledge of the problem before I was across the desk from the hired gun. Then, after digging a little and asking a few "dumb questions", I felt I could go it alone. This is especially true since my situation is simple, and far from unique...there's got to be a blog or forum post that fits the question I have, and if not, I'd just ask.
sengsational is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 08:51 PM   #13
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL/Helen, GA
Posts: 6,002
I worked long term for Megacorporation which had a great 401K program, defined pension and good healthcare programs. I also fully funded IRA's--and played the stock market aggressively for 35 years. We have no debt and enough tax paid Cash to last to age 70 1/2.

My business is simple and I do my own income taxes. I have no needs for a CPA or a Tax Attorney. Very, very few people require a Tax Attorney unless they're of very substantial means, and are in very complicated financial situations.
Bamaman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 09:07 PM   #14
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bamaman View Post
Very, very few people require a Tax Attorney unless they're of very substantial means, and are in very complicated financial situations.
Well then, I am one of those very, very few people. I suspect we are not that few in number.
Meadbh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 10:34 PM   #15
Moderator
Jerry1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 9,101
You either need to hire someone or spend a fair amount of time learning. I am a CPA but I haven't practiced in years. I've been in an executive position that requires financial knowledge but no tax knowledge for over 20 years. I'm in a very similar position - I'm 54, want to retire early and almost all my wealth is in my 401k or similar type of account.

As I have focused on retiring this past year, I've learned a lot. It was obviously very helpful to have once practiced as a CPA so I certainly understand taxes, however, there are a lot of things to consider and it takes a lot of time for it all to sink in and a plan to come together. Someone who does this on a regular basis could certainly do it quicker than I but I think after about 6 months, I have a pretty good understanding on how the taxes will work as I draw out the tax differed money.

One thing that I learned is that I should have saved more money in an after tax account or if/when my income would have allowed, taken advantage of a ROTH. When trying to minimize the taxes, having a few more options for drawing cash would definitely help.

One thing I'm grateful for is that when I was 20, I married a 25 year old. When I turn 55, my wife will be exactly 59 1/2. I wish I could say I planned that. Personally, I would probably not retire if I couldn't draw down my 401k without penalty. Note that there are ways to draw from the 401k without incurring a penalty. I forget the code at the moment, but basically, you have to take equal withdraws based on your life expectancy. One more thing you'll have to learn or get advice on. Personally, I'd work part time until 59 1/2 had I not married so wisely.

The other thing you need to get informed on is Social Security. I always thought the best thing to do was for me and my wife to wait until 70 or at least our full retirement age. However, having run some calculations, it appears the best formula is for me to start at 62. Wife will be 67 (full retirement age due to me marring well) and she will file and suspend. She'll take half of my SS until 70 at which time she'll switch over to her full SS and we'll ride that out. I never knew any of that a couple months ago and it's not something I ever came across when I was doing taxes as a practicing CPA. So again, you'll either need to learn or get advice.

Best of luck on your journey.
Jerry1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2015, 10:45 PM   #16
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
harley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 8,764
We had a complicated couple of years tax-wise a while back. I had a CPA do my taxes a couple of times. But when I ran the numbers through TT and came up with pretty much the same results I decided to just do it on my own. My taxes are still relatively complicated (small business, rentals, Roth conversions, etc.) but I really haven't found anything I can't do on my own. Even though the tax code is overly complex and written in BS'ese, when in doubt I make my best guess and figure even if they come back at me I'll be OK from a best intentions POV, and I'll argue the issue then.

I don't think early withdrawals (72-t) will challenge the program. If you need to for peace of mind, get a CPA until you feel comfortable with the situation. But an attorney? Definitely not.
__________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." - Anonymous (not Will Rogers or Sam Clemens)
DW and I - FIREd at 50 (7/06), living off assets
harley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2015, 08:02 AM   #17
Full time employment: Posting here.
hesperus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: https://www.google.com
Posts: 750
Send a message via ICQ to hesperus Send a message via AIM to hesperus Send a message via Yahoo to hesperus
Just before receiving a windfall, and some complicated tax years that followed, I was fortunate enough to find a guy who is both a CPA and tax attorney, who has been very helpful for us. We pay him a retainer each year to have unfettered access to him at any time. I now look at him as our go-to professional for all things taxes, financial planning, and estate planning.
hesperus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2015, 02:06 PM   #18
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,375
Quote:
Originally Posted by Car-Guy View Post
No tax attorney, no financial advisors, no CPA's etc. Especially now that I'm retired and have the time, I'd much rather learn about these things myself so I can do my own tax and financial planning/investing.
That's great, but he's not retired, busy, & doesn't think he has the knowledge now.
gerntz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2015, 02:07 PM   #19
gone traveling
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,375
Quote:
Originally Posted by Meadbh View Post
Well then, I am one of those very, very few people. I suspect we are not that few in number.
I'm curious: what does a tax attorney do for you that a CPA can't?
gerntz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2015, 02:30 PM   #20
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,401
Quote:
Originally Posted by gerntz View Post
I'm curious: what does a tax attorney do for you that a CPA can't?
I beg your pardon. I misread the post by Bamaman. I assumed it was a tax attorney or other professional, as outlined by the OP. I use a CPA, not a tax attorney.
Meadbh is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
(Early) Retirement specialist Jmo1969 Young Dreamers 11 08-09-2013 03:44 PM
I'm a federal retirement specialist daystar Young Dreamers 1 08-28-2004 04:16 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:13 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.