The Retirement Tax Podcast is your place to learn how to sand the rough edges off your 6 or 7 figure income tax bill the IRS expects you to pay over the course of your retirement. Hosts Benjamin Brandt, CFPⓇ , and Steven Jarvis, CPA bring you tax topics you can take action on. Leveraging their combined decades of experience in the financial planning and accounting worlds they share their insights and answer your questions.
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My CPA has no idea...what do I do next? Ep. 71
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In this episode Ben and Steven share stories about everyone's favorite Office couple "Jim and Pam" and some of the tax situations they can find themselves in. More specifically they talk about what you can do when you have a CPA who is unwilling or unable to help you. They both share examples of how this situation can come about and what you can do…
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Whatcha gonna do when they come for you? Ep.70
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Steven and Ben are back sharing their insight on real world tax situations they have personally helped clients deal with. First, they discuss the unfortunate (but all too common) scenario when two professionals are providing you with different opinions. Ben shares his first-hand experience dealing with this as one of those two professionals and wha…
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In this episode Ben and Steven share insight on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) specifically prompted by listener questions. In addition to covering the basics of what everyone should know about contributing to, investing in and using an HSA, the guys also cover some more unique situations that come up with HSAs. In particular they give you the run …
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Once again (this is their third year!) Ben and Steven are giving you the highlights of the IRS Dirty Dozen, an annual list of frauds, schemes and scams to be on the look out for. This episode is not meant to scare, just make you aware. Steven and Ben share insight on what's out there and what you can do to help protect yourself from bad actors and …
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Summary: In this episode Steven and Ben are back together and answering questions sent in by great listeners like you. Covering a variety of topics Ben and Steven take the time to give specific answers to these situations along with broader insight that will benefit everyone listening in. Stay tuned to the end as Steven and Ben talk about tax filin…
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It's on my return, but what does it mean? Ep.66
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Continuing the theme of sharing lessons learned from recent client conversations, Steven and Ben share common things they see on tax returns that are just as commonly areas for confusion and questions. The tax code can feel like a mystery but with a little help it can be less intimidating. The guys share some of the things they regularly see, like …
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I haven't filed my taxes...now what? Ep.65
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In this episode our dynamic duo is back for more tax fun as Ben wrapped up his spring surge and Steven is passed the tax filing deadline. Fresh off of so many client meetings they both have stories to share and questions to answer. This episode's discussion focuses on what to do if you (or someone you know or are responsible for) haven't filed your…
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What the heck is "tax resolution"? with Kristine Stevenson Ep. 64
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In a special episode this week Steven is joined by a tax professional who doesn't do any tax preparation. Kristine Stevenson is an Enrolled Agent who previously worked for the IRS and now specializes in tax resolution work. Steven and Kristine talk about what tax resolution work includes and when it might be something a taxpayer needs to pursue. Th…
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Psychology and Taxes with Ashley Quamme Ep.63
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This week's episode is a special one in that Steven is not being joined by a CPA or CFP. Steven's guest this week, Ashley Quamme, is actually a Fractional Financial Behavior Officer (don't worry, they talk about what that is) and specializes in helping financial planning firms go beyond the numbers and understand how their clients think, feel and d…
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It's April! What should I be doing about taxes? Ep.62
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Benjamin Brandt is back on the join this week and rejoins Steven Jarvis to talk tax topics that are relevant in April. Whether you've already filed your return or still need to get it across the finish line the guys have some great information for you. They also dive into what it means to file an extension and when it makes sense to do just that (s…
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Understanding Your Tax Return: Part 3 Ep.61
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In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis wraps up his walkthrough of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "hands on" as a podcast…
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Understanding your tax return: Part 2 Ep.60
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In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis continues taking you through the first part of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "han…
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Understanding your tax return: Part 1 Ep.59
19:16
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In this episode resident "Least Boring CPA" Steven Jarvis takes you through the first part of a 1040 providing insight and information to make sure you understand your tax return. Steven covers both technical details as well as reminders on what might be most relevant to you and changes to watch out for from year to year. This is as "hands on" as a…
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The internet wouldn't lie to you, would it? Ep.58
17:51
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In this episode your favorite "least boring" tax podcast hosts are back to sort out the truth on the internet. Sharing some recent tax articles they read, Steven and Ben dive into a specific example of when the internet gets it wrong and some general advice on how to make sure you know what is actually true online. This isn't about dragging anyone …
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In this episode your Least Boring Tax Podcast hosts cover a variety of tax topics including unusual ways to use the IRS's 60-day rollover rules on IRAs. As always Ben and Steven pull from real experiences serving real clients to share ways you can better understand your own tax situation and proactively plan for the future to sand the rough edges o…
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Ben and Steven are kicking off 2024 by helping you wrap up 2023 and look to the future. Just because the calendar flipped over doesn't mean we can forget about 2023 quite yet. Make sure you are keeping track of important deadlines and on the look out for the tax documents you or your tax pro will need to get your 2023 tax filing done. Taxes will ho…
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Throwback: “Getting Real about Aunt IRMAA” Ep.55
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Going back to the most popular episode of the year of The Least Boring Tax Podcast as Steven and Ben discussed all things Medicare and everyone's least favorite tax relative: IRMAA. You hear the acronym all the time but our dynamic duo took a few minutes to dive into how IRMAA really works and the important things to keep in mind when IRMAA starts …
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The worst two words when planning for the future Ep.54
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In this episode Ben and Steven have a less technical discussion and instead focus on the importance of mindset and perspective when it comes to planning. The words we use can make all the difference on the success of a plan and our ability to really consider changes we may need to make. Ben and Steven also talk about a recent live webinar they did …
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03In this episode Ben and Steven discuss some real life examples of how things can go wrong with the IRS. This isn't meant to be doom and gloom, they share how you can be proactive and avoid getting into trouble, and best practices for what you should do if the IRS does ever have questions about any of your tax returns. At the end of the day applyi…
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Thanks in part to an article that kept being sent to Steven, he and Ben share their thoughts on what the true value of Roth accounts can be and how to sift through the "noise" on the internet (that Steven refers to as garbage at one point in the episode). Tax planning is situation specific so Ben and Steven talk about the clients they typically wor…
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In this episode Ben and Steven give a preview of the upcoming live webinar on October 25th centered around planning for the inevitable passing of the first spouse. It may not be a fun topic to think about but there are a lot of important planning considerations when it comes to your life and legacy. From how your tax situation will immediately chan…
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In this episode Ben and Steven compare their approaches to the speed limit (they recently took a road trip with their families) and how that is different from how they look at filing their taxes. They are serious when they say "pay every dollar you owe", tax planning is not trying to see what you can get away with. Our hosts go through an entire li…
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The IRS's dirty dozen - 2023 edition, ep.49
22:20
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In this episode Steven and Ben are back to share the latest from the IRS on where they are seeing fraud and scams happen. Hopefully none of these apply to you but it's always good to know what to be on the look out for so you can be one step ahead of the "bad guys". Steven and Ben share their insight on which ones on the IRS's list you should keep …
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Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) - what you need to know, ep.48
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This episode was prompted by a Financial Advisor's question who follows along with Ben and Steven (there are always new things to learn, even for professionals!). Join the discussion as our hosts talk through the details you need to know and the actions you can take so you are getting the most out of this incredible tax savings tool. Listen through…
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In this episode, Steven and Ben discuss themes that come up online around "tax planning" and share their thoughts on how you should be looking at them. They give specific examples of strategies that are worth looking into and ones that are more sizzle than steak. More than anything they reinforce the importance of making sure you (or a professional…
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Join Ben and Steven as they discuss everyone least favorite tax relative: IRMAA. You hear the acronym all the time but our dynamic duo takes a few minutes to dive into how IRMAA really works and the important things to keep in mind when IRMAA starts effecting you. They also discuss opportunities for potentially lowering you IRMAA related income and…
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What to do when something goes wrong on taxes, ep.44
18:23
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Of course we all work to do everything right the first time, but life happens! When it comes to taxes, having something go wrong can feel daunting if not down right scary. In this episode Steven and Ben talk about some of the common mistakes that can come up on tax returns and what to do if you happen to make a mistake. Sometimes the best intention…
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Tools of the Trade with special guest Jason Parker, ep. 43
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For the first time the Least Boring Tax podcast welcomes a guest to the show. Jason Parker is the host of the Sound Retirement Radio podcast and like Ben and Steven, is on a mission to help as many people as possible with retirement. Jason has created an online retirement specific budgeting tool that even covers taxes at a high level and comes on t…
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"Will the IRS find out" is the wrong question. ep. 42
19:34
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In this episode Ben and Steven discuss the difference between "reportable income" and "taxable income", particularly as it relates to taxpayers doing contract and consulting work (a.k.a "side gigs"). Of course, reporting all of your income is important but this is still the Least Boring Tax podcast and all about helping you sand off the rough edges…
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There’s less than a week as we are counting down until the May 24 Webinar from the co-hosts of the Least Boring Tax podcast (aka the Retirement Tax Podcast): Benjamin Brandt, CFP and Steven Jarvis, CPA. At this Power Session, our co-hosts will share how you can calculate your Retirement Tax bill and just as importantly, what you can do to start san…
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There is something very satisfying about being able to do something yourself (like taxes) that many people have done by a professional, but is it always a good idea? Steven and Ben discuss the benefits of being a DIYer on taxes and when they see it go really well. Our hosts also discuss signs to be on the look out for that it might time to get some…
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In this episode our dynamic duo discusses what taxpayers can do now that their tax return is filed to prepare for the future. Ben and Steven share some of the things they regularly look for on their clients tax returns to help make sure they are not getting killed on taxes. The team discusses both mistakes and errors to look out for as well as pote…
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Ben and Steven discuss the important distinction between tax preparation (what happened last year) and tax planning (what can happen in the future). Most people know they have to file a tax return (tax preparation), but many taxpayers are at a loss for what they can and should be doing to reduce their lifetime tax bill in the future (tax planning).…
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Your taxes are filed (hopefully), now what? ep.38
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In this Episode Steven and Ben talk about what listeners can do now that their 2022 are filed (and touch on a few things to keep in mind if you haven't quite finished). While filing last year's tax return is an important step, the Least Boring Tax hosts you know share their thoughts on why tax planning can be so much more valuable. Listen in as Ben…
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In this episode Ben and Steven discuss foundational principles that every tax payer should be aware of but was likely never taught. Taking ideas right out of Steven's new book, "Don't Get Killed on Taxes", the Least Boring Tax Podcast will teach you a few things you need to understand to get started on making your own tax plan. http://bit.ly/3Ths1U…
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It's March 1st, do you know where your tax return is? Ep. 36
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The least boring tax podcast hosts are back to talk about where we find ourselves in the annual tax filing season. Steven shares a recent example of a "love letter" he is helping a client with from the IRS and shares best practices for taxpayers who end up getting their own letter from the IRS. As always Ben and Steven dive into a listener question…
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Writing the book on taxes, literally, ep.35
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In this episode Ben and Steven share insights and takeaways from Steven's new book, Don't Get Killed on Taxes (available now on Amazon). Ben and Steven focus on common "myths" that taxpayers incorrectly believe and how to change your mindset around these crucial areas. The Least Boring Tax Podcast hosts also tackle a listener question about the tax…
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Watch Out, Here They Come - Time to Get Ready for Your Tax Filing, Ep. 34
20:39
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In this episode, Ben and Steven sit down to chat about important dates, key documents, and all kinds of things that you need to know while preparing your tax filings for the year. You will get to hear why filing early isn’t necessarily encouraged and what they recommend when it comes to timing your filing. You can find all show notes for this episo…
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Again!?- What You Need To Know About The Newest Round Of Tax Law Changes, Ep. 33
22:43
22:43
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If there is one thing for certain, it is that change is here to stay in tax. Staying informed about the changes in compliance rules and updates to legislation is essential, but it is also, at times, exhausting. Luckily Steven and Ben have rounded up the latest tax law changes so that you can stay informed, remain a trusted source to clients and col…
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Moving into a new year feels like a fresh start for many reasons, and it’s always a good time to reflect, assess, and plan. As 2022 transitions into 2023, Ben and Steven have been working on business planning and will share some of that in this episode. They’ll dive into the “why” that brought them together, how they plan to help their audience wit…
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Capital gains tax rates have been the subject of multiple questions coming in lately, so today Steven and Ben will be sharing tips and insight to help clear up any confusion. From the seemingly tricky parts of selling stock to where people often slip up, you'll hear about the areas where you really need to pay attention and do some planning when it…
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Tax planning should be something that is looked at throughout the entire year. However, as the end of the year approaches, now is a particularly good time to review your finances and take advantage of any tax planning opportunities that may be available for you. So, in this episode, Benjamin and Steven will be sharing some tax tips to consider and …
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Converting My ENTIRE IRA to Roth the Same Year?!?!, Ep. 29
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There are a lot of things to think about as the year comes to a close—things that could make your taxes easier or more complicated. In today’s episode, Ben and Steven share their insight on how to get ready for the year-end when it comes to tax planning. You will hear about shadow taxes and other areas that will affect your end-of-year finances and…
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Do I Really Have to Think About Taxes Before April?, Ep. 28
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Thinking about taxes isn’t the most fun thing in the world, and most people like to put off all thoughts of it until February or later. In this episode, Steven and Ben weigh in on why they think it’s so important to do your tax planning before the end of the year. Listen in to get the scoop on how you can make the best decisions for your money and …
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What's the 'Mega' in Mega Backdoor?, Ep. 27
19:28
19:28
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Have you been reading about the mega backdoor Roth in articles or seeing it gracing headlines frequently? In this episode, Ben and Steven will be sitting down to chat about what all the hubbub is about and where you should probably be looking when aiming to max out your contributions. They give simple, actionable ways you can contribute more and ho…
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Gifting to Family and the Taxes that Come With It, Ep. 26
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19:03
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Like anything in life, taxes are just one piece of the puzzle. So today, Ben and Steven will be talking about some things that are not directly tax related, tackling the topic of gifting to family and some of the numbers involved, as well as tax rules that may come into play. You will get a solid framework to help handle the logistics so you’re pre…
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The Inflation Reduction Act has been passed—so are 87,000 IRS agents going to kick down our doors, steal our dogs, and take away our birthdays? Steven and Ben sit down to answer this question and—more importantly—they discuss what is actually in this act and what will be passing into law. You will hear why $80 billion is going to IRS enforcement, w…
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How Long Can the IRS Ask Me for That?, Ep. 24
21:04
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After one year of talking about taxes and how they relate to people's lives, Ben and Steven are celebrating today by sharing the important gift of knowing how to read paperwork from the IRS. Reading tax documents and deciphering what the heck they mean is a common frustration among taxpayers, so in this episode, the guys offer great tips on what to…
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Spending money on your health tends to be less than pleasant, but if we can get some tax savings from it, maybe we can save some money and find the silver lining. Many people ask about HSAs, so in this episode, Ben and Steven address the tax advantages of having an HSA and how to make the best use of one. You can find all show notes for this episod…
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What Happens When The IRS Calls Me?, Ep. 22
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What do you do when you get a letter or a phone call from the IRS? Don’t panic. In this episode, Steven and Ben clarify some important things about IRS communications and responsibilities. You will walk away from this podcast knowing how to avoid scams, what to find clarity on when you get a letter, who to call for help, and more. You can find all …
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