Article by:
Anand Nair, MSFS
Some important questions to consider:
- Where will the US find the funds to reduce its National Debt?
- Where have taxes been in the past, where will they be in the future?
- Who will shoulder the biggest burden of taxation over the next three decades?
I would agree when people say, “There is so much at stake with this Presidential election.” However, there are so many lenses to look through within that statement. While some are glaringly obvious and critical to our right as human beings, there are some subtle items that will not develop for several years. Let us take a moment to focus on the $3.2 trillion-dollar (and growing) increase to the national debt that has occurred since the COVID-19 Pandemic started back in March. While I agree that the funds were needed to strengthen a fragile domestic and potentially global economy there was little thought as to how we would address that debt in the future.
Let me set precedence before I move forward, I am not a CPA. Any specific tax questions should be discussed with a qualified tax professional. I am just a money guy, looking at a money problem, looking for a money solution. The reality is the burden of that debt and the additional debt to come will be squarely placed on the backs of working individuals like yourself and myself. The next question that comes to mind would be, how will they raise those funds? Taxes. The most effective way for a government to bring in income is through the taxation of its citizens. When we sit with clients, we discuss the different ways their money can be taxed. We discuss tax-free assets, taxable assets, tax deferred assets. We discuss the breakdown of how much should be placed in those tax positions and the justification for those decisions.
As I continue to watch how we are taking on debt as a country and our historically low tax rates (that is right, I said low tax rates) I worry about what the future of taxation looks like for our generation. Some people are deferring taxes in large quantities through financial vehicles thinking their tax brackets will be lower in retirement. The reality is, unless you just have more money than you know what to do with, it may not be the best strategy to defer taxes into retirement. That strategy can differ from person to person, but I would encourage you to consider how the choices of our government today are truly going to affect your financial future decades from now and make the needed adjustments to place you and your family in the best position for success.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anand Nair, MSFS is the co-authors the book “Financial Malpractice: The financial secrets most medical professionals never hear about” Anand has spent the last twenty years in banking and investments working with large financial institution and now leading one of the premier financial teams here in Las Vegas. Anand served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 with the United States Marine Corps and brings that high level of commitment, honor, and integrity to the clients he works with. You may reach out to Anand directly at [email protected] or by calling (702) 845-1308.