Spend some time reviewing your retirement accounts before 2019. 1 2 If you hold shares of a mutual fund in a taxable investment account (taxable meaning not held in an IRA or other “deferred” investment account), then you will receive distributions from this fund in the form of interest, dividends or capital gains. These distributions are likely automatically reinvested into more shares immediately after they are received. While this can help you keep your money productive, it can also create a number of tax consequences when these funds are not held in tax-deferred accounts. Save as PDF TAX CONSEQUENCES of Reinvesting Your Mutual Fund Taxes on Reinvested Distributions When these funds are held in a taxable account, you will pay taxes on the interest, dividends or capital gains in the year that you receive them, even if they are immediately reinvested back into the fund. This can come as a surprise to some taxpayers who think they shouldn’t owe any taxes since they never pulled the money out of the account. Disallowed Losses When a fund that you hold shares in has declined significantly in value you may sell those shares to prevent any further decline in value as well as to realize a tax deduction for your losses. However, if the proceeds are automatically reinvested back into the fund you may cost yourself the tax deduction for those losses due to the IRS “wash sale” rule. This rule states that when you purchase “substantially identical” shares within 30 days before or after the loss sale, your deduction will be reduced by the amount of purchases made within the window. If you plan to sell shares of a fund to realize a loss, make sure the proceeds are not automatically reinvested in a similar fund within 30 days. Records Nightmare from Long-Held Stock When you sell shares of a fund you need to report the original purchase price in order to reduce the taxable gain on the sale. If you only held the shares for a few months or a few years, then this likely is not a cause for concern. The fund company should know exactly when you purchased the shares and how much you paid. However, if you purchased the shares many years or even decades ago, you could find yourself making countless phone calls and digging through old records to try and determine your basis in the shares. Worse, if you cannot find your original purchase price the IRS will set it at zero and you will owe capital gains taxes on the entire sale. Reinvesting at the Top You are likely to receive more distributions from a mutual fund after the fund has a profitable year. If your distributions are set to be reinvested automatically this can lead to you routinely buying more shares at their highest price and fewer at their lowest price. In these situations, it may be more advantageous to manually invest the distributions in other funds that are not at their peak price. Summary Automatically reinvesting your earnings from mutual funds is an efficient way to keep your money active in the market without requiring your constant supervision. However, it can also create some unforeseen tax consequences at the end of the year if those funds are not held in a tax deferred account such as an IRA. Being aware of these potential tax consequences and monitoring your investment account throughout the year can help you avoid surprises and headaches when you file your taxes at the end of the year. Read more articles Share Failing to order your affairs to minimize your tax burden could cost you significant money - so don't wait to take action. If you have additional questions or need some planning help, please reach out to us.

TAX TIPS For Home Sellers As the housing recovery begins to pick up steam, some home sellers will have gains on the sale of their homes for the first time in nearly a decade. The good news is that the tax code recognizes the importance of home ownership by providing certain tax breaks when you sell your home. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW when selling your home is that your sale qualifies for an exclusion of $250,000 in gains ($500,000 if married filing jointly) if you owned the home and used it as your main home during 2 of the last 5 years before the sale and you have not claimed any exclusion for the sale of another home within the last 2 years. The 24 months of residence can fall anywhere within the 5-year period. It doesn't even have to be a single block of time. All you need is a total of 24 months (730 days) of residence during the 5-year period. POINTS/HOME IMPROVEMENTS/ MOVING & PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTIONS IF YOU HAVE TO SELL YOUR HOUSE because you're relocating for work, you might be able to deduct some of your moving expenses. Deductions could include transportation costs, travel to the new place, storage costs and lodging costs. YOU CAN DEDUCT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES for the portion of the year that you owned the home - up to the date of the sale. SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME to get it sold. If you make home improvements that help sell your home, and if they are made within 90 days of the closing, they may be considered selling costs, which could be deductible. IF YOU PAID POINTS TO LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE when you refinanced your home, you might qualify for an additional deduction. Because you can deduct a proportional share of the points until the loan is paid, when you pay off the loan through a sale,you can deduct the remaining value of those points. ADDITIONAL TIPS IF YOU DON'T QUALIFY for the Section 121 exclusion (left), you will owe taxes on any profit, so make sure you deduct all your selling costs from your gain. Some of the selling costs could include: Your real estate agent's commission Legal fees Title insurance Inspection fees Advertising costs Escrow fees Legal fees SELLING PRICE - SELLING EXPENSES CALCULATION AMOUNT REALIZED - ADJUSTED BASIS GAIN OR LOSS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS YOU NEED TO REPORT THE GAIN IF: 1 2 3 You have a taxable gain on your home sale and do not qualify to exclude the sale. You received Form 1099-S. If so, you must report the sale even if you have no taxable gain to report. You wish to report your gain as a taxable gain because you plan to sell another property that qualifies as a home within the next two years, and that property is likely to have a larger gain. Save as PDF Read more articles Share Failing to order your affairs to minimize your tax burden could cost you significant money - so don't wait to take action. If you have additional questions or need some planning help, please reach out to us.

2020 Strategies for a Lifetime of Tax Savings Join us as we share clear steps you can take to reduce your tax bill and cohesively address each area of your financial life. Minimize the risk of rising tax rates Reduce your current tax burden Maximize the productivity of your assets to improve your future income stream Minimize the drag from your long-term tax liabilities with potential lifetime savings of more than $200,000 on a $500,000 retirement portfolio Provide a quiet confidence that your financial affairs are arranged to meet your long-term goals

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Welcome to the Big Beautiful Bill Resource Center The Big Beautiful Bill is transforming the landscape of financial legislation and we're here to help you stay informed every step of the way. This page is your central hub for everything related to the bill: expert articles, insightful videos, and in-depth webinars designed to unpack what it means, why it matters, and how it could impact your financial future. Check out our latest webinar. Click here to find a segment that interest you. New provisions for individuals under the Big Beautiful Bill New provisions for business under the Big Beautiful Bill Check out our articles on the Big Beautiful Bill Understanding the New Tax Relief for Seniors and Hourly Workers: Tips, Overtime, and Social Security Explained Jim Richter 25 Takeaways From the Big Beautiful Bill Michael Baumeister Three Sweeping Tax Reforms That Could Impact Your Paycheck Jim Richter

Free Book For Christian Business Owners Who Want To Use Their Business To Secure Their Financial Future Order your complimentary new book "Building Your Financial Legacy" below and get a free Financial Planning Consultation (value $800.00) In this must-have book, you'll gain and understanding of: Techniques for reconciling the drive for business with desire to prioritize faith and family. Insights on managing common financial concerns such as increasing business value, securing a financial future and building a legacy. The importance of a holistic approach to financial planning, including business acceleration, tax planning, risk management and estate planning. How to develop a comprehensive, durable financial plan of action that address all the areas of wealth management. Yes! Mail Me The Free Book (And show me the calendar so I can schedule my free Financial Consultation) Meet The Author! Jim Richter’s journey as a financial professional reflects his deep commitment to integrating faith with professional expertise. As a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Jim has navigated the complexities of financial planning with a holistic approach that aligns with a biblically centered world view. His career spans the capital markets where he began advising institutional investors on how to successfully navigate the complexities of the bond market to then launching a successful asset management company out of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 to now successfully serving over 1,000 tax and financial planning clients at Monotelo Advisors. This diverse experience has shaped his understanding of comprehensive financial planning. Jim’s goal is to serve small to mid-market business owners, providing them with tailored financial strategies that honor their values while addressing their unique needs. By offering a range of services—including business value acceleration and tax and financial planning expertise —Jim ensures that his clients receive a durable cohesive financial plan. For Jim, the integration of faith and finance is not just a professional principle but a personal conviction. His approach emphasizes that, despite societal shifts, adhering to one’s core values can drive both personal fulfillment and professional success. Balancing personal ambition with a commitment to putting God first, Jim aims to help business owners navigate their financial journey while staying true to their beliefs, ensuring that their financial legacy reflects their values and aspirations. In Building Your Financial Legacy Jim Richter outlines the 10 blind spots a business owner should know and address in order to achieve the best possible business success, succession and retirement. Yes! Mail Me The Free Book (And show me the calendar so I can schedule my free Financial Consultation)

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Quarterly: Oct 17 Financial Planning & Long-Term Tax Reduction in Light of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that was signed into law in December of 2017 has created a unique and time-sensitive retirement planning opportunity that will sunset in 2025. Representing the most significant tax code overhaul the United States has seen in over three decades, the Tax Cuts and Jobs act brings the US into one of the lowest combined marginal tax rate environments this country has experienced since the late 1980’s. The chart below displays the highest and lowest historical marginal tax brackets in the United States. With the lowest marginal tax bracket as high as 25%, and the highest marginal tax bracket as high as 95%, today’s tax brackets are some of the lowest on record. The challenge with our low current tax rates is that Congress failed to curb spending, and our national debt is now growing at an accelerating pace. These two things: low tax rates and an accelerating national debt, are not sustainable long-term. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025, some families will see their marginal tax bracket rise by as much as 9%. This short window, however, creates a unique opportunity to take advantage of our current tax rates and convert pre-tax retirement assets to tax-free accounts. Taking advantage of today’s low tax rates and positioning retirement assets in an account that the US government will never tax again can not only dramatically reduce your lifetime tax liability it can also significantly increase your likelihood of a safe and secure retirement. By taking the additional cash flow created from our General Tax Planning and growing the retirement savings in the “Never-To-Be-Taxed-Again Bucket,” we have the potential to dramatically reduce your life-time tax burden, reduce the paralyzing impacts of RMD’s (Required Minimum Distributions) and reduce the taxability of your Social Security Benefits. With the opportunities and challenges of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Monotelo’s unique blend of expertise in tax law, retirement planning and wealth management can be a critical factor in helping you reach your short and long-term goals.

At Monotelo Advisors we work hard to free up cash flow by helping you minimize your federal tax liability, giving you more money to reinvest into your future. TAX EXPERTISE Monotelo believes there is a better way to help you secure your financial future. It starts by improving your cash flow, then focusing on the budget and retirement savings to help you take charge of a future filled with peace and financial security. Our mission is to make a difference with meaningful and actionable financial solutions that positively impact our client's lives. We do this by integrating the tax component into all our discussions - freeing up cash flow that allows our clients to live the lives they want to live. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS If you are a small-business owner, there is a high probability that you are paying more tax than what is required. And the key to lowering your tax bill is not in finding a competent CPA to file your tax returns, it's in finding an expert with a disciplined process to help you plan your future. LEARN MORE PRIVATE CLIENTS With the opportunities and challenges of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Monotelo's unique blend of expertise in tax law, retirement planning and wealth management can be a critical factor in helping you reach your short and long-term goals. LEARN MORE RETIREMENT PLANNING The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made proper tax planning more critical than ever when it comes to preparing for retirement. Monotelo's unique blend of expertise and wealth management can help you reach your retirement goals. LEARN MORE TAX EXPERTISE Click here to access the tools and articles designed to help you manage your taxes and your finances while giving you confidence to take the steps needed to prepare for a future filled with peace, hope and financial security. LEARN MORE

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW to Help Improve Your Retirement Years When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on growing their money, but they often overlook other critical issues. Eventually you will be shifting gears to preserve what you saved over the years. Taking a few simple steps today can help equip you for the time when that shift takes place. 1. THE INCOME PLAN Build a plan so that you don't run out of money for yourself and your spouse during your lifetime. While this is easier said than done, you can start by figuring out how much money you'll need to cover your living expenses. This would include fixed expenses (mortgage, rent payments, insurance premiums, etc.), variable expenses (food, clothing, car maintenance), outstanding debt (car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc.) and any predictable large purchases (a second home, a new addition, vacations, etc.). Your guaranteed sources of income, such as Social Security or a pension, will be used to pay those expenses. If they aren't enough, you will need to find other income sources. 2. THE PROTECTION PLAN While the odds of your house burning down are less than 3%, most people wouldn't consider going without fire insurance for their home. It's equally, if not more important to address the risk of "burning down" your income plan. For example, the chances are fairly high that you or a spouse will have some kind of long-term care need. These expenses tend to be high and tend to carry on for extended periods of time. As a result, you need to consider this risk. Another risk to consider is the risk of a pension payment getting reduced. For those who plan to retire on a significant pension, this is a very real and present risk that should be addressed in your plan. 3. THE APPRECIATION PLAN Once you have addressed the income and protection needs, it's time to address how to continue growing your money. Conservative, aggressive, moderately aggressive.... You need to identify your capacity to take risk. Once you have properly identified your risk tolerance, you can then begin to focus on portfolio appreciation. The reason this step is crucial is that you do not want to sell at market bottoms when your emotions get the best of you. This happens when you set your portfolio to take more risk than what your emotions can handle, and this is a recipe for disappointment. 4. THE TAX PLAN Keeping your taxes as low as possible should be front and center, and there are a variety of ways to do this. One example would be to focus on asset location, as opposed to asset allocation. Asset location focuses on WHERE you choose to do your retirement saving (IRA, 401K, 403B, Roth IRA, whole life insurance, etc.), while asset allocation focuses on WHAT you choose to invest in inside the account. Asset location matters because this will have a direct impact on the tax implications when you need to access your money saved for your retirement years. 5. THE ESTATE PLAN Some estate planning may also be in order to protect yourself from taxes - particularly in states that have an estate tax, as the exemption levels are usually much lower than the federal level. Taking care of loved ones in the future can also be a primary concern for many. Consult with an attorney to understand the legal documents necessary to ensure the efficiency of your estate, including a health care power of attorney, financial power of attorney, health care directives, wills and trusts. At Monotelo, we exist to make a difference with meaningful and actionable financial solutions that positively impact our client's lives. If you have questions about what steps you can be taking to prepare for your retirement years, call us at 800-961-0298

Quarterly: Oct 17 Overcoming Our Cognitive Biases We started a series on decision-making back in June when we introduced the concept of Level 1 and Level 2 thinking from Daniel Kahneman’s book “Thinking Fast and Slow.” The main goal of the series (Better Thinking... , ...Better Decisions , The Fallacy of the Formula ) was to explore how cognitive biases are formed and how they influence our decision-making. The challenge with our cognitive biases is that they tend to influence us most at the extreme ends of the spectrum. And it’s at these extreme ends of the spectrum where we may need to ignore them the most, because all risky asset classes will experience long periods of underperformance. The S&P 500 Index has experienced three separate periods where it underperformed riskless one-month Treasury bills for more than a dozen years (1929-1943, 1966-1982, and 2000-2012). Any student of the market knows that longer periods of underperformance by risky assets are a necessity. If these periods never occurred, there would be no risk, and the risk premium would disappear. The periods of underperformance essentially create the equity risk premium that investors capture when they choose to take on the random and unpredictable risk of the equity markets. If The Markets Are Random and Unpredictable, How Should That Impact Our Decision-Making? Mean reversion is the theory that security prices return to their long-term averages over time. In every asset class, from bonds to stock to commodities, buying what is cheap leads to better outcomes because expensive stocks revert down to their mean over time while cheap stocks revert up to their mean over time. Unfortunately, that truth only holds up over longer periods of time. Expensive stocks can get more expensive in the short-term while cheap stocks can get even cheaper. Using the CAPE Ratio (the Cyclically Adjusted PE ratio from Robert Shiller) for the S&P 500, we can look back at periods of time when assets were expensive and times when assets were cheap. Source: Macrotrends, Multiple.com and Telos Asset Management Company The CAPE ratio is a valuation measure that uses real earnings per share (EPS) over a 10-year period to smooth out fluctuations in corporate profits that occur over different periods of a business cycle. The ratio is generally applied to broad equity indices to assess whether the market is undervalued or overvalued. Source: Macrotrends, Multiple.com and Telos Asset Management Company By inverting the CAPE ratio chart we can observe the direct relationship between price and future returns. The following chart lines up the annualized 10-year forward returns of the S&P 500 with the CAPE ratio at the start of the period. When the blue line is high, stocks are theoretically undervalued and their future return potential is high. When the blue line is low, stocks are theoretically expensive, and the potential for future returns is muted. Source: Macrotrends, Multiple.com and Telos Asset Management Company While these charts clearly prove that price matters, they do not address the value premium (the advantages of buying cheap stocks over expensive stocks). And unfortunately, there is little evidence that investors can accurately time the value premium or when the mean reversion will take place. That’s where patience and discipline come in. And How Do We Overcome Our Cognitive Biases? The key to overcoming our cognitive biases is to override them with a process that systematically allocates based on math and sound logic rather than human judgement. Process-driven investing is nothing more than a long-term approach to putting capital at risk by owning a broad variety of asset classes, making periodic contributions and regularly rebalancing. The challenge with process-driven investing is that it requires an investor to focus on the investment process and not the short-term results. That can be extremely difficult when the short-term results don’t coincide with the long-range return objectives. Over the long term, however, overcoming our cognitive biases with a good process should deliver more reliable outcomes with better results.

No events at the moment 2020 Strategies for a Lifetime of Tax Savings Join us as we share a clear durable plan of action that cohesively addresses each area of your financial life to: Maximize the productivity of your assets and improve your retirement income stream Minimize the drag from your long-term tax liabilities Potential for over $350,000 in lifetime savings on a $500K retirement portfolio Potential for over $2M in lifetimes savings on a $5M retirement portfolio Minimize the risk of rising tax rates in retirement Address the risk of low interest rates and stock market corrections in retirement Synchronize your values with your charitable giving desires and your legacy goals Provide a quiet confidence that your financial affairs are arranged to meet your long-term goals Help you live the life you want to life