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Life Events & Your Finances

Major life changes bring financial and tax implications that can catch you off guard. Use these guides to understand what to expect — and what to do — when life takes a turn.

Categories:FamilyCareerWealthRetirement
Family

Getting Married

Marriage changes your filing status, may affect your tax bracket, and opens the door to spousal IRA contributions and combined estate planning. Learn what to update and when.

Key Topics

Filing status electionName and address updates with the IRSCombining or separating financesBeneficiary designationsSpousal IRA contributions
Family

Having a Child

A new child brings the Child Tax Credit, dependent care deductions, and the opportunity to start a 529 college savings plan. Here is what changes on your return the year a child arrives.

Key Topics

Child Tax Credit and Additional Child Tax CreditDependent care FSA and deductions529 college savings plansLife insurance reviewUpdating your W-4 withholding
Family

Going Through a Divorce

Divorce affects your filing status, the deductibility of alimony, the division of retirement accounts, and the tax basis of transferred assets. Careful planning during the process can prevent costly surprises.

Key Topics

Filing status in the year of divorceAlimony and child support tax treatmentDividing retirement accounts with a QDROCapital gains on transferred propertyUpdating beneficiaries and estate documents
Family

Losing a Spouse

The death of a spouse triggers a range of financial and tax obligations — from filing a final joint return to managing inherited retirement accounts and estate settlement. We can help you navigate this difficult time.

Key Topics

Filing status options after a spouse's deathInherited IRA rules and required distributionsStep-up in cost basis on inherited assetsEstate and probate basicsSurvivor benefits and Social Security
Career

Changing Jobs or Careers

A job change means new withholding, decisions about your old 401(k), and potentially a gap in income or benefits. Getting these details right at the start saves headaches at tax time.

Key Topics

Rolling over a 401(k) without triggering taxesUpdating your W-4 at the new employerCOBRA and health insurance gap coverageSeverance pay and unemployment tax treatmentNon-compete and deferred compensation considerations
Career

Starting a Business

Becoming self-employed changes everything about your taxes — from quarterly estimated payments to deductible business expenses and self-employment tax. Starting right makes a significant difference.

Key Topics

Choosing the right business entityQuarterly estimated tax paymentsSelf-employment tax and deductionsHome office and vehicle deductionsRetirement plan options for the self-employed
Wealth

Buying or Selling a Home

A home purchase or sale has significant tax implications — from mortgage interest deductions to the capital gains exclusion on a primary residence. Timing and record-keeping matter.

Key Topics

Mortgage interest and property tax deductionsCapital gains exclusion on home sale ($250K/$500K)Tracking your cost basis and improvements1031 exchanges for investment propertyFirst-time homebuyer considerations
Wealth

Receiving an Inheritance

Inheriting assets — cash, investments, real estate, or a retirement account — comes with tax rules that vary by asset type. Understanding the step-up in basis and inherited IRA rules can save you significantly.

Key Topics

Step-up in cost basis on inherited investmentsInherited IRA 10-year distribution ruleEstate tax vs. inheritance taxSelling inherited real estateReporting requirements for foreign inheritances
Retirement

Approaching Retirement

The years just before retirement are among the most important for tax planning. Roth conversions, Social Security timing, Medicare enrollment, and required minimum distributions all require careful coordination.

Key Topics

Roth conversion strategy before RMDs beginSocial Security claiming age and tax impactMedicare enrollment deadlines and IRMAA surchargesRequired minimum distributions at age 73Sequence-of-returns risk and withdrawal strategy

The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Every situation is different. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on your specific circumstances.

Facing a Major Life Change?

Life events rarely come with a financial instruction manual. Our team can help you understand the tax and planning implications specific to your situation — before they become problems.

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