Friday Financial Five – October 9, 2015

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Friday, October 09, 2015

Dan Forbes, GoLocalProv Contributor

Closing the carried interest loophole

Political debates often involve the promise of a more reasonable tax code but pushing changes through is not easy once the elected official takes office. The “carried interest loophole” is the latest perk to catch the public’s eye as an unfair advantage for hedge funds and private equity firms. The firms structure as investment partners, while the managers act as a general partner. The typical compensation structure is “2 and 20” – 2 percent automatically per year and 20 percent of profits on the investments. That 20 percent is taxed as an incentive or “carried interes," allowing for a much lower tax rate as capital gains and the avoidance of billions in taxes. The end result is a much lower marginal tax rate for these individuals than one would expect, with very little evidence it leads to a public good.

Non-deductible contributions need a Form 8606

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More and more high income earners are employing the strategy of making after-tax contributions to an IRA account that are not deductible on their tax return. They convert those contributions to a Roth IRA in order to take advantage of the Roth’s benefits. What sometimes is missing from the contribution to the non-deductible IRA is the filing of a Form 8606. This form allows the IRS to identify the taxpayer’s non-deductible contributions and account for them from a tax perspective. This, accompanied with a descriptive letter when a contribution is made, should help avoid double taxation on those funds when they’re withdrawn.

Retirement plan lifetime income options

The perceived gap in 401(k) plans occurs when it comes to providing lifetime income. Insurance companies would like to fill that gap and are pushing for more annuity options in retirement plans but they have less than 10% penetration at this point. That may be changing, as evidenced by GM’s recent decision to add the insurance product to their 401(k) offering. Not everyone using a 401(k) has the investment savvy to differentiate between investment options, nor the inclination to figure out how to withdraw the retirement funds as income. While the annuity option will allow for a more predictable income, it may amount to much less than current pensioners are receiving from their traditional defined benefit plans.

Medicare open enrollment approaches

October 15th begins the enrollment period for those eligible to apply for Medicare coverage. A great resource to get details on program options is www.Medicare.gov. There are plenty of sections allowing enrollees to review plan and prescription drug options, as well as verify in-network doctors and costs. Enrollees should start the comparison process as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary expense. The enrollment period ends December 7th, otherwise known as Larry Bird’s Birthday.

Bill Gross suing PIMCO

When one of the most recognizable faces in investing leaves a company amidst mysterious circumstances, it makes sense that fireworks will eventually follow. For Bill Gross, co-founder of the Pacific Investment Management Company, those fireworks are starting with a lawsuit aimed at recouping “hundreds of millions of dollars” from PIMCO for wrongful termination. Gross was fired just before the end of the third quarter last year and contends that a $250 million bonus played a part in the timing of his ouster. With Gross’ estimated net worth at roughly $2 billion, reports are that any money recovered from the suit will go to various charities and foundations.

Dan Forbes, a CFP Board Ambassador, is a regular contributor on financial issues. He leads the firm Forbes Financial Planning, Inc in East Greenwich, RI and can be reached at [email protected].

RI Business Rankings in US

WalletHub

Rhode Island has 2015's eighth highest insurance premium penalties for high risk drivers, according to a WalletHub report.

Rhode Island ranks fifth overall in the category of speeding over 20 mph annual premium increase at $482. While ranking third overall in the category of 2 accidents annual premium increase at $2,721.

Rhode Island ranks ninth overall under the reckless driving annual premium increase at $749.

WalletHub

Rhode Island has been ranked as the 8th most eco-friendly state in the country, according to a recent study by WalletHub.

Rhode Island ranks third in environmental quality and 16th in Eco-Friendly Behaviors Ran landing them in 8th overall.

RI is behind Washington and New Hampshire who are in the six and seven spots respectively, and in front of Connecticut and Hawaii who come in at the nine and ten spot.

WalletHub

Rhode Island is 2015's 4th Worst State to be a taxpayer, according to a recent WalletHub report.

Rhode Island ranks 48th of 51 with an average state and local tax price of $7,159 which is good for a 27% difference from the national average.

The states that are directly behind Rhode Island are Wisconsin at $7,159, Nebraska at $7,298 and Illinois at $7,719 for a 37% difference from the national average.

WalletHub

Rhode Island has the highest vehicle property taxes in the country, paying an average of $1,133 according to a report from WalletHub.

Virginia and Kansas are the two states just ahead of Rhode Island in the 49 and 50 spots, paying $962 and $905 respectively.

RI also ranks 42nd in average real estate tax, paying an average of $2,779, according to the WalletHub report.

WalletHub

WalletHub has ranked Rhode Island as the 7th worst state to be rich in in a recent in depth analysis of 2015's Best States to be Rich or Poor From a Tax Perspective.

On a scale with 1 being the best, and 25 being average, Rhode Island ranks 37th in low income earners, 42 in middle income earners and 45th in high income earners.

To see the full report, click here.

Gallup

Providence-metro ranks at the bottom for job creation in 2014

Rhode Island has been ranked amongst the worst in job creation, according to a recent survey done by Gallup.

Gallup gives the Prov-metro area an index score of 23, the lowest score is the New York- New Jersey area with 20.

Salt Lake City, Utah and Austin-round Rock, Texas rank the highest with a score of 37.

See the rest of the rankings here.

Forbes

The 2014 state rankings by Forbes has just been released and Rhode Island moved up two spots from #48 in 2013 to #46 in 2014.

What does Forbes say about RI's business environment"

After Michigan and Illinois, Rhode Island has experienced the third worst net migration out of its state in the country over the past five years. With a recent unemployment rate of 7.6%—lower than only Georgia and Mississippi—residents are leaving the state in search of jobs. Rhode Island has been stuck in the bottom five overall for six straight years. One plus: labor costs are 5% below the national average, which stands out in the expensive Northeast.

Tax Foundation

Findings from The State Business Tax Climate Index were released this morning by Tax Foundation which found Rhode Island to have the 45th best tax climate for businesses for 2015. The state's rank has not changed since last year after The Index analyzed 100 different tax variables in multiple categories.

WalletHub

After conducting an online suvery consisting of 1,050 individuals from both parties across the nation, WalletHub ranked Rhode Island as having America's 33rd fairest tax system.

Click here to view the poll's entire findings

Thumbtack/Kauffman

Providence is the second worst city in America for small business, according to a new survey conducted by Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation.

More than 12,000 small businesses in 82 cities across the country participate in the survey. Providence received an overall "F" grade for small business friendliness.

Full Survey Results Here.

The Economist

Small Business Friendliness Grade: F

The Economist grades states on an A+ to F grading scale for its small business climate. Rhode Island is one of just 6 states to earn an "F" grade.

Overbearing bureaucracy and excessive licensing is stifling small business in America.

CNBC

CNBC ranks each state in cost of doing business, economy, technology and innovation.

Rhode Island's unemployment rate as of May 2014 was 8.2 percent. This is RI's lowest unemployment rate since August 2008.

Forbes

Forbes ranks each state in business costs, economic climate, and growth prospects. RI is third worst in 2013.

The most damning in the commentary:

After Michigan, Rhode Island has experienced the second worst net migration in the country over the past five years.

ChiefExecutive.net

#39 ChiefExecutive.net

ChiefExecutive.net ranks each state in taxations and regulations, workforce quality, and living environment.

The most damning in the commentary:

Sky-high unemployment rate bespeaks continuing terrible business climate.

Tax Foundation

#46 Tax Foundation

Tax Foundation ranks each state in corporate tax rank, sales tax rank, and unemployment insurance tax rank.

Rhode Island and the other states in the bottom ten suffer from the same afflictions: complex, non-neutral taxes with comparatively high rates.

Wallet Hub

#24 Wallet Hub

Wallet Hub ranks each state in ROI rank, state tax rank, and overall government services.

Rhode Island ranked #50 for worst roads and bridges, but ranked #4 in safety.

ALEC

#47 ALEC

ALEC ranks each state in economic performance and outlook.

Although Rhode Island ranked low in economic performance, a forward-looking forecast is based on the state’s standing in 15 important state policy variables. Some of these variables include top marginal personal income tax rate and sales tax burden.

Kauffman Foundation

#50 Kauffman Foundation

Kauffman Foundation ranks each state in entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurial activity generally is highest in Western and Southern states
and lowest in Midwestern and Northeastern states.

Free Enterprise

#47 Free Enterprise

Free Enterprise ranks each state in performance, exports, innovation + entrepreneurship, business climate, talent pipeline, infrastructure.

Rhode Island has continued to feel the direct impact and ripples from the recent recession—it ranks 47th overall in economic performance. However, positive rankings of 15th in talent pipeline and 16th in innovation and entrepreneurship suggest the existence of a foundation on which to build the future.

The Pew Charitable Trusts

#40 The Pew Charitable Trusts

The Pew Charitable Trusts ranks each state in job growth and job creation.

Rhode Island added 6,223 jobs in 2014.

Gallup

10th Worst in Gallup's Annual Ranking of State Job Markets 2014

Rhode Island has been ranked 10th worst for job creation in Gallup's annual ranking of state job markets in 2014 with a job creation index number of 21

Rhode Island is one of two (Connecticut) states to rank in the bottom ten each year since 2008.

The 2014 State level findings have were drawn from 201,254 interviews with employed adults across the nation.

See the full list of rankings here.