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What Is the Penalty for Filing Single When Married? 2026 Rules, Costs and Fixes
The penalty for filing single when married is usually the extra tax plus interest, with a 20% accuracy-related penalty when the error was careless or […]
Long-Term Part-Time Employees Under SECURE 2.0: 2026 401(k) and 403(b) Rules
Long-term part-time employees under SECURE 2.0 earn the right to make 401(k) deferrals after two straight years of at least 500 hours, but they do […]
Is RMD Considered Earned Income? No, and Here Is Why It Matters in 2026
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 An RMD is not considered earned income, but it is fully taxable ordinary income that […]
IRS Form 5329 Waiver of Penalty: How to Get a Missed RMD Excise Tax Waived (2026)
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 An IRS Form 5329 waiver of penalty can erase the entire 25% excise tax on […]
How to Report an RMD on Your Tax Return: Form 1099-R to Form 1040, Line by Line
Reporting an RMD on your tax return takes one Form 1099-R and two lines of Form 1040, but one checkbox decides which lines you use […]
How to Convert a 401(k) to Real Estate Without a Penalty: 5 Ways to Invest
Converting a 401(k) to real estate without a penalty comes down to one rule: the money has to stay inside a retirement account, or you […]
How Old Do You Have to Be to Open a 401(k)? The 2026 Age and Eligibility Rules
How old you have to be to open a 401(k) is set by your employer’s plan, because federal law makes age 21 the latest a […]
How Long Will My Money Last in Retirement? The 2026 Math by Withdrawal Rate
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 How long your money will last in retirement comes down to four numbers: withdrawal rate, […]
How Long Does an Employer Have to Deposit a 401(k) Match? The 2026 Deadlines, Explained
How long an employer has to deposit your 401(k) match depends on which money it is: your own deferrals run on a federal clock measured […]
How Long Does a TSP Loan Take to Process? The 2026 Timeline, Step by Step
By Craig Wear, CFP® | Last reviewed: October 9, 2026 A TSP loan is generally paid out within three business days of processing, so most […]