Tax

Warning: WA state increases estate tax and capital gains tax significantly

Estate Planning, Recent News, Tax,

On May 20, 2025, Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law Washington Senate Bill 5813, which provides significant increases to the state’s capital gains tax and estate tax. Capital Gains Tax The Washington state capital gains tax has a short, but frenetic history. Since January 1, 2022, a long-term capital gains tax of 7% … Continue reading Warning: WA state increases estate tax and capital gains tax significantly →

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Self-Directed IRA + K-1 = IRS scrutiny concerns

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax, , , ,

 My clients frequently ask, “what self-directed IRA investments have the most potential for IRS scrutiny?”  While most clients think this question is related to the specific type of investment, to me, the question is more about the collateral consequences of a particular investment.  IRS scrutiny is very rarely a random occurrence – instead, the IRS questions … Continue reading Self-Directed IRA + K-1 = IRS scrutiny concerns →

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Lessons from McNulty Case (hint: precious metals within IRA-owned LLC = trouble!)

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax,

Yesterday, the US Tax Court released their ruling in the case of McNulty vs. Commissioner of IRS (157 T.C. No. 10, November 18, 2021).  In short, it wasn’t pretty for a husband and wife who had two self-directed IRAs and IRA-owned LLCs and used those IRA/LLCs to hold precious metals (e.g., American Eagle coins) in a safe at … Continue reading Lessons from McNulty Case (hint: precious metals within IRA-owned LLC = trouble!) →

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The True “Insanity” of the Build Back Better Act: IRA Tax Punishment to Non-Wealthy

Estate Planning, Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax, Uncategorized

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. (9/29/21): “What I have made clear to the President and Democratic leaders is that spending trillions more on new and expanded government programs, when we can’t even pay for the essential social programs, like Social Security and Medicare, is the definition of fiscal insanity.” Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn (9/30/21): “Trying to … Continue reading The True “Insanity” of the Build Back Better Act: IRA Tax Punishment to Non-Wealthy →

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[OPINION] Is Peter Thiel’s $5 billion Roth IRA legally valid? There are many reasons for doubt.

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

On June 24th, ProPublica’s Justin Elliott published an article entitled, Lord of the Roths: How Tech Mogul Peter Thiel Turned a Retirement Account for the Middle Class Into a $5 Billion Tax-Free Piggy Bank.  The article immediately received a lot of attention, with the term “Roth IRA” (of all things!) trending on Twitter.  I was particularly interested in … Continue reading [OPINION] Is Peter Thiel’s $5 billion Roth IRA legally valid? There are many reasons for doubt. →

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Warren Baker quoted in ProPublica Article on Peter Thiel’s $5 Billion Roth IRA

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

An article was published in ProPublica today entitled, Lord of the Roths: How Tech Mogul Peter Thiel Turned a Retirement Account for the Middle Class Into a $5 Billion Tax-Free Piggy Bank (by Justin Elliott).  The general idea of the article is to call attention to extremely large Roth IRAs and how they have been used by ultra-high-net … Continue reading Warren Baker quoted in ProPublica Article on Peter Thiel’s $5 Billion Roth IRA →

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Red Flag: be careful when taking “early” IRA distributions – the IRS might check up on you

Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax

The latest version of The Kiplinger Tax Letter has a good overview of some key considerations that can occur when an IRA owner takes a distribution out of his or her IRA prior to age 59 1/2. In addition to owing income tax on the IRA distribution (assuming a Roth IRA is not involved), a … Continue reading Red Flag: be careful when taking “early” IRA distributions – the IRS might check up on you →

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Warren L. Baker featured as self-directed IRA expert in Natalie Choate’s new book “Life and Death Planning for Retirement Benefits” (8th Edition)

Estate Planning, Recent News, Self Directed IRA, Tax, ,

I am very proud to announce the release of the 8th Edition of Life and Death Planning for Retirement Benefits, by Natalie B. Choate.  Natalie is an extremely well-respected tax attorney in Boston, MA.  For many years, her book has served as a THE AUTHORITY for estate planning and tax attorneys related to the legal … Continue reading Warren L. Baker featured as self-directed IRA expert in Natalie Choate’s new book “Life and Death Planning for Retirement Benefits” (8th Edition) →

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