How to Choose a Tax Professional for Social Security and IRMAA Planning

Retirement tax planning often requires looking at Social Security, IRA distributions, Roth conversions, capital gains, and Medicare premiums together rather than as separate decisions.

Ask about provisional income

Additional income can cause a greater portion of Social Security benefits to become taxable.

Ask about the IRMAA lookback

Medicare premiums can be based on modified adjusted gross income from two years earlier.

Ask about sequencing withdrawals

The order in which taxable accounts, traditional retirement accounts, and Roth accounts are used can affect long-term tax results.

Ask for scenario comparisons

Good retirement tax planning compares alternatives rather than assuming the lowest tax this year is always best.