Tax Optimization for W-2 Employees
What salaried workers miss
This 8-part series covers tax-optimization moves W-2 employees commonly miss, from the HSA triple tax advantage to state tax arbitrage for remote work. Topics include the HSA triple tax advantage, traditional vs. Roth 401(k), tax-loss harvesting, dependent-care FSA vs. child tax credit, backdoor Roth IRA, mega backdoor Roth, charitable bunching, and state tax arbitrage for remote workers.
Articles in this series
HSA: The Triple Tax Advantage Scenario
HSA: The Triple Tax Advantage Scenario ======================================= The Health Savings Account is the only account in the U.S. tax code that offers three simultaneous tax benefits:...
Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): The Marginal Rate Game
Traditional vs. Roth 401(k): The Marginal Rate Game ==================================================== Every year, millions of employees face the same 401(k) enrollment question: traditional or...
Tax-Loss Harvesting in Taxable Accounts
Tax-Loss Harvesting in Taxable Accounts ======================================== Tax-loss harvesting is one of the few legal strategies that allows you to benefit financially from investments that...
Dependent Care FSA vs. Child Tax Credit
Dependent Care FSA vs. Child Tax Credit ======================================== Parents of young children face one of the largest recurring expenses in a household budget: childcare. Daycare,...
The Backdoor Roth IRA: Step-by-Step (No Income Limits)
The Backdoor Roth IRA: Step-by-Step (No Income Limits) ======================================================= The Roth IRA has income limits. In 2024, direct contributions phase out beginning at...
Mega Backdoor Roth: Does Your Plan Allow It?
Mega Backdoor Roth: Does Your Plan Allow It? ============================================ The regular backdoor Roth IRA allows high-income earners to contribute $7,000 per year to a Roth account...
Charitable Bunching: Donating Every Other Year
Charitable Bunching: Donating Every Other Year =============================================== The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the standard deduction—to $14,600 for single filers and...
State Tax Arbitrage: Remote Work Scenarios
State Tax Arbitrage: Remote Work Scenarios ========================================== Remote work created a tax optimization opportunity that didn't meaningfully exist for most workers before...