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With the recent passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, it can be hard to remember which of the following federal income tax rates, personal exemptions, gift tax exclusions, long-term capital gains, and qualified dividend rates were affected or changed and which were not addressed in the new tax bill.

It is once again the time of year to begin preparing for tax filings. Pershing, a BNY Mellon company, provides tax reporting on our behalf (see more about Pershing following the chart). The mailing date of your Form 1099 depends on the types of holdings in your account.

The following schedule will apply, although dates are subject to change:

We've had a lot of great questions regarding the new tax law. MassMutual shared a summary with us that we think you might find helpful. In this summary, you will see the old tax law, the new one, and what impacts that may have.

Sometimes the biggest challenge in starting something new, is that you just don’t even know where to begin. We want you to know that we are a resource center for you, not just for your finances, but for many of life’s demands.

Just like so many people vow to commit to exercise and dieting as a New Year’s resolution, it’s also not a bad idea to take stock of your financial situation and throw in some fiscal goals. Taking a good look into your overall savings plan, wasteful spending and debt can help you get your financial health in tip top shape and increase your prosperity.

December 2017

Balanced Financial Concepts Year-End Letter 

As we look back on the year, THANK YOU for making 2017 a successful year for Balanced Financial Concepts. Your continued trust drives us to evolve our business to serve you. 

With increasing news and noise about the up-and-coming marijuana industry, we’ve started to receive more questions about the potential for investing in what looks to be a growth industry. Even though there could be positive potential, it’s important to remember that not all companies have what it takes to survive, and more importantly, that not all stocks are legit.

In recent news, you may have heard about the Department of Labor’s new fiduciary rules that require advisors to act in the best interest of their clients. While this primarily applies to retirement accounts, many advisors already adhere to fiduciary standards, but there are key differences that clients should know when working with anyone claiming to be a financial advisor.